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1 Choose the correct form and fill in the gaps:
1 When I go to University, I want ________ for a degree in Information Technology.
a) to do b) to get
c) to revise d) to study
2 Microsoft picks and chooses ________ from the graduates of the elite universities and business schools, then gives them lots of responsibility straight away.
a) recruits b) messages
c) appearances d) sensitivities
3 Microsoft employees are well-informed, logical and ________.
a) instructed b) thick-skinned
c) thin-skinned d) hired
4 Microsoft deliberately understaffs its product teams because it saves money, helps communication and encourages the ________ spirit.
а) tough b) damaging
c) fighting d) demonstrating
5 Give me a ________!
a) gift b) employer
c) complain d) break
2 Ask questions on the underlined words:
1 We ran an ad in a trade journal for a client.
2 You need to keep a realistic perspective on the willingness of a prospective employers to take you call.
3 Many job seekers wrestle with this decision all the time.
4 Since my staff wasn't involved with this client, they were unable to give any details to the caller.
5 Yesterday Mr Hague accused the Prime Minister of “conveniently forgetting” his pre-election promises not to raise taxes.
3 Fill in the blanks with prepositions and articles:
1 Early ________ a Monday morning our office received ________ call.
2 It's impossible to fax ________fax and maintain ________ quality appearance.
3 He got ________ salary that was too low and gave _______ impression that he was not ________ performer.
4 On ________ other hand, too high _______ salary could be interpreted as ________ stumbling block if you have solid credentials
5 I was busy and couldn’t listen ________ the radio.
6 The Conference will begin ________ December 1.
7 ________ Pacific is the largest ocean on our planet.
8 To tell ________truth, I didn’t expect to see him.
4 Reword the following sentences without changing their meaning. Pay attention to the italicized words:
1 If your salary history is out of line with the employer's hopes, be ready to get a rejection.
2 This can ruin your professional first impression.
3 He was making much money working for Bill Gates.
4 For new people being taken on in most departments, we are thinking about making nine-month working a standard contract.
5 If you are at college or on the dole, it will make you a lot better off financially.
5 Complete the sentences with the correct form of the below verbs:
work in a factory, shut down/ close a factory, factories make/ produce (cars, toys), set up/ open a factory, show someone round a factory, factories create jobs.
1. My dad works in a factory that……car parts.
2. When you visit us. I’d be more than happy to…… you round our factory.
3. Many factories have been forced to……down because of the poor economic situation in the country.
4. The factory will bring work to the area. It will……about 400 new jobs.
5. Handel plc have just…… their first factory in the Far East.
6. I hate……in factories - they’re usually noisy places. I’d much rather work in an office.
6 Choose the most suitable word or phrase:
a) When John saw the job advertised, he wrote to the personal/personnel manager.
b) He was interested in the post/part that he was being offered.
c) At the interrogation/interview he was unsuccessful.
d) The course he followed offered vocational/skilful training.
e) The company offered him a retirement/pension scheme.
f) He received good perks/promotions, such as free healthcare, free lunches at work and a company car.
g) The boss threatened to resign/sack him if he didn’t work harder.
h) How much exactly do you do/make/take in your new job?
7 Match the words on the left with their opposites on the right. Explain their meaning:
1 altruistic unsystematic
2 diligent generous
3 intellectual thick-skinned
4 methodical unhelpful
5 morose flexible
6 obliging low-brow
7 quick-tempered selfish
8 sensitive cheerful
9 stingy placid
10 stubborn lazy
8 Read the text and answer the questions:
Exciting Outdoor Career
If you’re an out-of-the-ordinary person who is looking for more than just a job, we are offering a unique career that requires you to use your intelligence, self-reliance and responsibility. If you have an adventures spirit, a strong, positive personality, a tough mind and a high level of personal integrity, and if you think you can deal with rapidly-changing, ambiguous and unpredictable situations that will test your resourcefulness to the limit, then contact us now.
a) Why does “a career” sound better than “a job”?
b) What are “ambiguous” situations?
c) What expression means “not depending on other people”?
d) What is the abstract noun that means “your ability to find clever or imaginative ways of doing things”?
e) What mental quality do you need for this job?
f) What job do you think this advertisement is for?
9 Pair work. Discuss the statements below and find out your partner’s views on the issues:
1 Making direct phone contact with a hiring executive usually results in an interview.
2 Companies are delighted to recruit candidates who previously made more money with another employer.
3 Omitting your salary history when it is requested will result in a follow-up call.
CHAPTER 6
TEXT 6
Recruiting The Right Employment Agency
All employment agencies are not created equal.
Search However, like our discussion about networking, you have to know who, how, and when to call on the services of an independent employment firm.
Remember, the employer is king and you have to follow his wishes regarding the use of outside agencies. Some companies are very dependent on agencies while others use agencies only as a last resort when a direct approach fails to produce viable candidates.
Whatever the case, before you proceed, you need to determine the type or types of agencies that will provide the best opportunity to get you in the door.
Executive Search Firms—Fees Paid Up Front
This type of agency is most often contracted if there's a shortage of specific skills, if confidentiality is critical, or if a current employee is headed for termination.
Search firms get paid even if positions remain unfilled. Their fees are based on a percentage of the estimated starting salary. Traditionally, a 30 percent fee is awarded for high-level positions. At a glance, these fees may seem hefty. However, when you consider it may take 100 phone calls, 30 preliminary phone interviews, and 40 reference checks before two good candidates can be identified, the cost is justifiable.
The major pressure on search firms is to produce viable candidates, not necessarily to make placements. It is not uncommon for search firms to present several candidates and have all of them rejected by the contracting company. Search firms that have an exclusive, fee-paid contract may be your best avenue into new companies when your background has gray areas or if you have a history of frequent job changes.
Commission-Paid Recruiters
These agencies work on a sliding commission basis only if a placement is made. This fee can reach upward of 35 percent of the starting salary for high-paying positions. Unlike fee-paid search firms that customarily get paid up front, commissioned recruiters are compensated fifteen to thirty days after the candidate is hired. These agencies will also provide certain guarantees on placements and will often replace candidates at no cost if they quit within six months.
Commissioned agencies are most frequently called recruiters and consultants. Sometimes they have exclusive assignments, but it is more common for vacancies to be spread among several recruiters in an effort to blanket the market in search for the best candidates.
Search firms and commissioned recruiters have different levels of motivation. Search firms that are more exclusive have a different agenda than recruiting agencies that often compete with several other agencies for the same opening. Therefore, recruiters may only get a limited number of chances to produce good candidates. So, unless they lack viable candidates, commissioned recruiters will not present individuals who are hard to sell.
Three factors can make you a hard sell, limiting a recruiter's ability to place you with a client successfully.
1 Being unemployed
2 Lacking the specified education
3 Changing jobs frequently
Being unemployed.
Everyone wants what they can't have. The fact that your present employer still keeps you around provides justification for your credentials. No personnel manager will ever be called on the carpet for a sloppy search if the new hire was working for another company at the time of employment.
On the other hand, hiring an individual who is out of work carries a certain risk — the first question a CEO will ask when a new employee doesn't make the grade is "Why the hell did we hire someone that another company got rid of?" Given the choice, companies will hire a candidate who is working over another who is unemployed.
Lacking the specified education.
Like being unemployed, not possessing the level of education required in the job description also creates a liability that may be difficult to overcome.
Foreign ownership in this country is placing greater emphasis on education. You can have terrific experience and a great background, but if you don't meet the educational requirements, you won't have much of a chance. So, when recruiters tell you they'll push for a position even though you don't have the education, watch their noses real closely to see if they're growing. The sell may be too tough.
Changing jobs frequently.
Job hoppers only land positions when openings abound or they possess specific skills that employers desperately need. Once job hoppers get laid off in a competitive market, their stock drops off the board, and recruiters won't waste time presenting them. If you have a record of frequent job changes, don't rely solely on agencies to provide your introductions.
Now, whether you decide to go with an executive search firm or a recruiter, you must ask yourself two more questions. First, should I use a specialized or general agency? Second, should I work with one or many agencies?
Specialized vs. General Agencies
Many agencies specialize in placements by job function instead of industries. For example, several national franchises focus on only recruiting sales candidates. Their assignments cross industry boundaries, and they are most often called upon by employers when the market is tight for talent. These firms best suit individuals who have skills that can be translated from one industry to another.
Conversely, general agencies can still function within one industry or market but differ from specialists in that they help to locate candidates for positions ranging from a plant manager to a VP of sales. These firms usually have better, in-depth relationships with their customers because of repeat business and intimate knowledge of the customers' operations. Many general agencies also offer reduced commission structures for good clients and often have an inside track on up-and-coming positions. If your skills are highly technical or slanted to one industry, a general agency with good customer contacts may be your best ally.
Single vs. Multiple Agencies
The advantage of using one agency solely is that working with one firm helps in developing a mutually beneficial relationship. Agencies tend to work harder when they have your loyalty. The disadvantage of using one agency is possibly missing an opportunity outside that agency's listings. However, like real estate brokers, most agencies often share both candidates and openings in the hope of being the agency of record and the agency that collects the fee.
A word of caution if you choose to work with multiple agencies: Be up front with the representatives and tell them about your game plan. You should also keep them appraised of the companies you have contacted through classified ads, networking with associates, or dealing with other recruiters. Nothing is more frustrating and embarrassing to an agency than having your credentials show up on the client's desk from a competing recruiter. In addition to alienating the agency, when your resume arrives from several recruiters, the client's perception of you as a prized candidate will be weakened.
Selecting an agency requires time and research to determine which one will best fit your needs. Talk to personnel managers, associates, and friends to get their recommendations on good performers in your field.
In a tough market, the employer is king. Having the right agency could get you a special invitation to the castle.
Vocabulary and grammar exercises
1 Choose the correct form and fill in the gaps:
1 The employer should know your level of ________and true interest in the position.
a) competence b) reaction
c) value d) fun
2 Most companies keep the fax machines ________ in a central location.
a) unmanned b) unpredictable
c) unbelievable d) unseen
3 Asking ________ questions early in an interview can negatively impact the interviewer’s perception of your overall management style.
a) defending b) poisonous
c) nitty - gritty d) comfortable
4 Participants from the USA, Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands will expect ________ to the agenda.
a) to keep b) to point
c) to snore d) laugh
5 Instead of giving employees orders from above, your ________ should support them and try to make their life easier.
a) reputation b) administration
c) arrangements d) customers
2 Ask questions on the underlined words:
1 Some companies are very dependent on agencies.
2 These agencies work on a sliding commission basis only if a placement is made.
3 Mary didn't know the day when her resume would arrive.
4 Many agencies also offer reduced commission structures for good clients.
5 Job hoppers only land positions when openings abound.
3 Fill in the blanks with prepositions and articles:
1 Finally, ________ of desperation, I mentioned that Rob knew him from ________ Plastics Association.
2 ________ advantage ________ using one agency solely is that working with one firm helps in developing ________ mutually beneficial relationship.
3 These agencies will also provide certain guarantees on placements and will often replace ________ candidates ________ no cost if he/she quits within six months.
4 You can have terrific experience and ________ great background, but if you don't meet ________ educational requirements, you will not have much of ________ chance.
5 Foreign ownership in this country is placing greater emphasis ________ education.
6 You will find the news ________ bottom of the newspaper page.
7 There is no ________ place like ________ home.
8 One cloud is enough to eclipse ________ sun.
4 Reword the following sentences without changing their meaning. Pay attention to the italicized words:
1 Hiring an individual who is unemployed carries a certain risk.
2 Mary's resume was ignored and she had to look for another position.
3 The major pressure on search firms is to produce possible candidates.
4 To help you understand the impact of failing to follow the rules, let’s take a look at how your actions could be perceived by a potential employer.
5 We are looking for enthusiastic people to work in our office in Bermuda on temporary 3-, 6- and 9-month contracts.
5 Complete the sentences with appropriate expressions and word combinations from the list below:
Get a reference from your (present/ last) employer, employees are laid off/ made redundant, (companies, factories) provide employment, employer - employee relations, employment agency, unemployment benefit, high/ low unemployment, unemployment rate.
1. I live in an area of high……. It’s almost impossible to find a job.
2. The new shoe factory will provide……for hundreds of local people.
3. We will need a reference from your last……before we interview you.
4. The shipyard has had to lay off about 100……because it has had no new orders.
5. Employer - ……relations have sunk to an all-time low. A strike is planned.
6. The unemployment……is now at 15% and it’s still rising!
7. I got a job as a secretary through an employment…….
8. Are you claiming unemployment……while you are out of work?
6 Choose the most suitable word or phrase:
a) He had to pay a lot of income/salary tax.
b) He gave up/ gave away his job because he could not handle the pressure.
c) He found another job, and remained with that company for the rest of his working life before resigning/ retiring at the age of 65.
d) He didn’t get much job satisfy/ satisfaction.
e) Other workers in his company were made redundant/redundancy when the company had financial problems.
f) He sometimes had to work overtime/extra time on busy days.
g) When I left the job, I had to hand in my application/dismissal notice/observance three weeks beforehand.
h) If you have to travel on company business, we will pay your costs/expenses/needs.
7 Read the following ad. What kind of person would be good at the job advertised?
Are you fun-loving, sociable and not afraid of a challenge?
Sundream Holidays is looking for holiday reps for the following regions: Spain, Italy, Greece. Successful applicants will have some experience of the tourism industry and be able to speak English at a reasonable level. Some knowledge of the countries involved would be an advantage.
Please apply in writing to: Sundream, Charter House 1, London NW1 3ED
Task 1
Write a letter of application of between 120 and 180 words.
Task 2
Complete the set phrases with the words in the box.
forward response experience post hesitate qualities interview qualifications
1 I am writing in………to your advertisement, which I saw in a local newspaper.
2 I would like to apply for the………of tour guide.
3 I believe I have the personal………necessary for this post because I am good at organizing people.
4 I have some………of this kind of work because I work every summer in my uncle’s hotel.
5 My………include an ′ A ′ at Cambridge First Certificate and a Diploma in IT.
6 I am available for………at your convenience.
7 Please do not………to contact me for further information.
8 I look………to hearing from you.
Task 3
Read the answer to the ad. Use the set phrases from Task 2 to complete the gaps.
Dear Sir/Madam,
(1)…………, which I saw in the “Daily Mirror” on the 24th of September.
(2)………holiday rep. I am particularly interested in working in Greece.
(3)………I am out-going and I am used to be dealing with members of the public. I enjoy meeting new people and helping them with any problems they might have.
(4)………I have spent the last two summers to work in a bar on Santorini. This involved serving customers and organizing social events, such as quiz nights.
95)………Cambridge First Certificate in English with an A grade and a First Aid Certificate. I also have a driving license and speak basic German.
(6)………at any time.
(7)………if you require further information.
(8)………
Yours sincerely,
Max Cooper
8 Pair work. Discuss the statements below and find out your partner’s views on the issues:
1 You will be judged on your merits, not by the person who provides the contact.
2 All employment agencies are alike.
3 If you are unemployed, recruiters will have empathy and present your credentials before those of someone who is working
CHAPTER 7
TEXT 7
The Phone Only Rings Once For Successful Candidates
Remember the critical stage in the movie that produced the famous line, "E.T., phone home." The fate of an entire planet depended on that one critical link: E.T. getting the message and phoning home.
Each time the phone rings when you're looking for work, it should bring you new hope that a potential employer has taken notice of your qualifications and is ready to invite you to the tryout.
Yet so many job seekers fail to recognize the importance of being accessible while ensuring their phone gets answered in a professional manner. Time and time again, candidates are eliminated from the competition because they can't be reached. Or, even worse, when they are reached, they create a poor impression that turns off recruiters.
Over the years, I have disqualified somewhere between fifty and seventy-five potential candidates because of the rude and terse manner in which their spouse or children answered the phone. During that same period it's also possible that an additional twenty-five to fifty candidates never received my messages regarding an employment opportunity.
The following is a description of three actions that can sour potential employers after they've phoned your home.
a. An unattended phone.
The assumption most recruiters make is that your quest to find a job is important enough to ensure your availability eighteen hours a day. Time zone differences, international travel, and other factors could result in that important phone call coming any time between six A.M. and eleven P.M.
Also, most recruiters have several candidates to screen with the objective of inviting two for on-site interviews. They may try once or even twice to reach you, but after the second attempt, your paperwork will be relegated to the back burner if other screening calls produce viable candidates. The sad part about this scenario is that both you and the potential employer may be missing out on a beneficial marriage.
And by the way, busy signals caused by that teenage daughter or son talking to friends for hours on end can be just as damaging as an unattended phone. Call waiting, then, may be a worthwhile investment if you have a household with teenagers. Time constraints and the abundance of qualified candidates will preclude recruiters from trying to reach you over and over again.
Remember, the phone number you provide on your resume must be answered by the fourth ring either by a responsible person or an answering machine with a good, solid message.
2. Unprofessional or emotional answering-machine recordings.
"Hi! I'm Kathy! I'm Billy! And these are our two little cowgirls, Kerri and Tara..."
Give me a break! I actually heard a family sing this message. Number one, they couldn't carry a tune, and number two, since Billy was being considered to head a tough union shop in a metal-fabricating plant, well... I couldn't tell you how the song ended.
Recorded messages should sound clear, short, and professional. If you're the one looking for work, your voice should be on the recording, not your five-year-old son with his dog barking in the background. The longer your recorded instructions, the more likely a potential employer will hear something offensive that could result in a hang-up.
4 Rude and terse family members.
The following dialogue actually occurred between a CEO and the wife of a manager he was looking to hire for a top-level position in a plastics-molding company.
Keep in mind, this woman would have to accompany her husband to outings and major trade association meetings as a representative of the company.
CEO: HELLO... is Mr. Kubert there?
WIFE: I don't know where he is, but just hold on... Will you kids shut the hell up! I'm trying to take a damn message.
I said, SHUT UP."
CEO: Click!
That's right—the CEO hung up. The wife's extreme demeanor and indifference crushed any chances her husband had of landing the position. Was this fair to the candidate? Probably not, but in the real world, your messenger can be your only link with the employer.
In addition, children, particularly teenagers, can blow your chances for an invitation by answering the phone with teenage slang: "Like, hi... the dude's not in and I don't know when he'll be back. I think he's workin’ or somethin'."
Don't be surprised if a potential employer evaluates your character based on your children's behavior. As the saying goes, 'The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree." Therefore, make every attempt to either train your children how to take these important calls, or keep them away from the phone.
A few final points on attending and answering the phone. It's impressive when the person taking the message acts like the call is not only important but expected. To set this kind of tone, have the message taker repeat the caller's name, company, phone number, and message. Showing appreciation for the call with a thank you goes a long way toward creating a positive, lasting impression.
Remember, in high-level positions where you will be a visible representative in the community, your spouse and family are all part of a package deal. A polite, well-spoken family will increase your chances of surviving the cut. So, take time out with family members to explain the importance of your calls and demonstrate how to take a message. Sometimes it's even helpful to prepare a small printed list that contains critical information, such as the caller's name, the company, the phone number, and the best time to return the call. Keep it right by the phone.
In the end, if you don't feel you can present that professional, polished image at home, it is recommended that you make a small investment in an independent answering service.
You can't get a tryout if you never get the call. And please, please, make certain the person taking your messages gets the caller's name right. I just hate being called Mr. Durrfey instead of Murphy.
Vocabulary and grammar exercises
1 Choose the correct form and fill in the gaps:
1 The president told him he would have ________ their discussions with the board of directors.
a) to review b) to impress
c) distress d) offer
2 I hope that all questions were answered to your _________.
a) nervousness b) dignity
c) satisfaction d) qualifications
3 Learn ________ of time about the company and its product.
a) behind b) in
c) on d) ahead
4 I appreciated the opportunity to discuss my qualifications and ________ with you.
a) aspirations b) negotiations
c) dress-codes d) resumes
5 Let as many people as possible know you are job ________.
a) maintaining b) hunting
c) indicating d) sleeping
2 Ask questions on the underlined words:
1 Recorded messages should sound clear, short and professional.
2 This woman will have to accompany her husband to outings.
3 A potential employer has taken notice of your qualifications and is ready to invite you to the tryout.
4 Over the years, I have disqualified between potential candidates because of the rude manner in which their family members answered the phone.
5 Most recruiters have several candidates to screen.
3 Fill in the blanks with prepositions and articles:
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