Episode 9

EPISODE 9
LEVEL A1.2/A2.1

  

READING COMPREHENSION

 

 

JOB APPLICATION

When we look for a new job, we need to prepare a few documents. One of them is this letter:
Dear Mr. Jackson,
I saw your advertisement for (= here: information that a company is looking for a new employee) a job as car dealer in yesterday’s Sunday Times and I would like to apply for (= to ask in writing and officially for) this job.
I am highly experienced at (= I know many things about) selling cars and I have worked in many different departments (= different sections of the company).
I enclose my CV (= I put my CV together with this letter) for your attention (= for you to read) and I hope I will meet all your requirements (= I hope I am the person you need).
I will be available for an interview at any time (= I can come for a meeting with you any time you want).
I look forward to hearing from you (= I am waiting for your answer).

Yours sincerely
John Smith

 

More contexts for the new words:

In a letter of application, you can also say:

• Please call this number if you require more information
  (= Please call this number if you need more information)
• Please find enclosed my CV and other necessary documents.
  (= I enclose my CV and other necessary documents)

 

 

EXERCISE 1

 

In this letter of application, complete each gap with one word.

 

(1) ……………………… Mrs Jones,

I saw your advertisement (2) ……………………… a job as personal assistant in yesterday’s Gazeta Wyborcza and I would like to apply (3) ……………………… this position.

I am highly experienced (4) ……………………… office work, and I have worked in many different companies as a personal assistant.

I (5) ……………………… my CV for your (6) ……………………… and I hope I will (7) ……………………… all your requirements.

I am (8) ………………………  for interview at any time.

I look forward to (9) ……………………… from you.

Yours (10) ………………………

Patrycja Kowalska

 

 

EXERCISE 2

Match the halves of the questions and then answer them yourself.

 

1. When did you last read                                 a) for a job?
2. When did you last apply                               b) job advertisements?
3. When did you last attend                             c) a job interview?

 

 

ENGLISH IN USE 

 

Let’s concentrate on the expressions similar to a sentence from the text:

I am highly experienced at selling cars.

In English when we say how good we are at doing something we us „at” not „in„, so we say:

I am good at mathematics.
I am bad at languages.
He is fantastic at driving cars.
He is terrible at cooking.

It is very important for us to remember that to say „I am good in …” is a mistake.

 

 

IDIOM CLOSE-UP

 

A/ Your letter of application is very good.

B/ I know, but I still HAVE BUTTERFLIES IN MY STOMACH before the job interview. 

 

If you have butterflies in your stomach, you feel very nervous, usually about something you’re going to do. Be careful, this idioms is sometimes used in Polish with a different meaning!

 

 

 

PHRASAL VERBS CLOSE-UP

 

1. You APPLY FOR something when you ask for something, usually officially and in writing.

 

He applied for the job as a marketing manager.

When you have a child, you can apply for a benefit called ‘becikowe’.

Students often apply for grants to study abroad.

 

2. When you LOOK FORWARD TO (doing something), you feel pleased and excited about something that is going to happen.

 

I’m really looking forward to my holiday.

She was looking forward to seeing the grandchildren again.

I’m not looking forward to Christmas this year.

 

Remember, when you use a verb after ‘look forward to’, it is always in the ‘-ing’ form.

 

 

 

EXERCISE 3

Complete the sentences using words from the idiom/phrasal verbs you have learned in the correct form.

 

1. I want to quit my job and ……………………. for a different one.

 

2. Before my first date, I had ……………………. in my stomach.

 

3. I am really looking ……………………. to seeing you.

 

 

 

NEWS

 

A SUCCESSFUL LETTER OF APPLICATION

 

A good covering letter is important to make a good first impression on your prospective employer. First of all, it has to be unique – you can’t send the same letter to many employers. Secondly, it has to have a personal touch – ready-made letters from the Internet are too universal. Finally, it has to be attention-grabbing, so that the reader does not throw it away immediately.

 

 

GLOSSARY

– a covering letter  – a letter of application

– to make a good first impression – to create a positive first feeling

– prospective – potential, future

– unique – one and only

– to have a personal touch – to say something about you as a person

– attention-grabbing – attracting attention

 

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