Applying for a job

Here are some advertisements for staff vacancies in restaurants:

Practice

Exercise I Study the advertisements for job vacancies and the letter of application and then complete the following sentences:

1 With __________ to your advertisement in the 'Daily Globe’ I should like to ________ for the position of chef.

2 I am ___________ in the __________ for a waiter which you advertised in the 'Daily Globe’.

3 I __________ my curriculum vitae ___________ with references from my present employer.

4 I hope you will be able to ________ me for this post and look forward to _________ from you.

5 If you are interested in my ________ and would like to see me, I should be pleased to ________ for an _________.

Exercise II

Using some of the words and expressions you have learned, write letters of application in reply to some of the advertisements.

Elina Malinen was in fact invited for an interview at the Bon Appetit restaurant, Here is part of the interview:-

Johnson Good evening, Miss Malinen, Won't you sit down?

Elina Good evening. Thank you.

Johnson Now, I notice you left the Hotel Scandinavia in 1980.

What are you now doing in England?

Elina I'm spending a few months brushing up my English and getting to know the country better.

Johnson And you want to work in England too. Why?

Elina I'm keen on getting some experience abroad, and I like England and English people.

Johnson Good. Now I see from the information you sent me that you've worked in your last employment for nearly four years. Was that a large restaurant?

Elina Medium-size for Finland, about 40 tables.

Johnson I see. Well, you'd find it rather different here. Ours is much smaller, we have only 10 tables.

Elina That must be very cosy.

Johnson We try to create a warm, intimate atmosphere. Now, as to the job, you would be expected to look after 5 tables normally, though we get in extra staff for peak periods.

Elina I see.

Johnson I'm the Restaurant Manager and Head Waiter, so you'd be working directly under me. You'd be responsible for bringing in the dishes from the kitchen, serving the drinks, and if necessary looking after the bills. So you'd be kept pretty busy.

Elina I'm used to that. In my last position we were busy most of the time, especially in summer.

Johnson Good. Now, is there anything you'd like to ask about the job?

Elina Well, the usual question—what sort of salary were you thinking of paying?

Johnson We pay our waiters £40 a week, and you would get your evening meal free.

Elina I see.

Johnson Now, you may have wondered why I asked you here so late in the day. The fact is, I would like to see you in action, so to speak. Would you be willing to act as a waitress here this evening for half-an-hour or so? Our first customer will be coming in, let me see, in about ten minutes’ time.

Elina Well, I'm free this evening otherwise.

Johnson Good. And in return perhaps you will have dinner with us? Now, let me show you he kitchen first. This way,

please...

Practice

Exercise I

1. Why did Elina leave her job and come to England?

2. Do you think she would fined the job at the Bon Appetit restaurant difficult or easy? Why?

3. What does the job entail?

4. What terms are being offered?

5. How does Mr Johnson intend to find out how good Elina would be?

Exercise II

Divide into groups of candidates and interviewers and prepare your letter of application or your questions for the advertised vacancies at the Highcliff Hotel. Act out the interviews in turn using the appraisal sheets to assess the candidates. While watching each group, also use the interviewers' appraisal sheets to assess the interviewers. Compare and discuss your оpinions afterwards.

CANDIDATE'S APPRAISAL SHEET

Award points from 4-0: 4 = Excellent, 3 = Good, 2 = Fair,

1 = Poor, 0 = Hopeless

Name: _______________________ Points

1. Did the candidate seem confident or nervous?

2. Was he polite or not?

3. Did he give a good general impression?

4. Did he appear to know his job?

5. Did he ask sensible questions?

Total (out of 20)

INTERVIEWERS' APPRAISAL SHEET

Points as above

Names: __________________ Points

1. Did the interviewers take notes?

2. Did they get what they wanted?

3. Did they describe the restaurant and the job?

4. Did they give a chance to ask questions?

5. Was the general atmosphere pleasant?

Total (out of 20)

Useful Phrases

The restaurant manager

The head waiter

The chef

The cashier

The wine waiter

You can apply to my previous employer for references.

I have my references with me.

I should be pleased to attend for an interview.

Chapter 2

PROMOTING

THE BUSINESS

A new restaurant

Look at these notices:-

Practice

Exercise I

1. What has recently happened to The London Town restaurant?

2. What two types of service are provided?

3. What is the speciality of the Westminster Bar?

4. How do the Victoria and Albert Rooms differ from the other rooms?

5. What facilities does the Cellar Pub offer?

Exercise II Which of the facilities in the London Town restaurant would you consider suitable for the following

customers?

1. A young couple wanting a late night snack.

2. A group of people who are looking for a comfortable place to talk and drink with some entertainment provided.

3. A guest wanting a quiet evening meal during the summer season.

4. A party celebrating a wedding anniversary and wanting to dine in style.

5. Two ladies wanting a mid-morning break from their shopping.