Lesson ID: #0426 page 1

Good luck with your job hunting!

lesson descriptionYou will strengthen your job-hunting skills by practicing new verbs and actions, vocabulary, and key phrases while seeking new employment.

The bonus section on “Applying for Jobs” will spell out what happens after the résumé is written.

objectives• Employ common job-hunting phrases• Recognize and produce the first

conditional• Develop reading comprehension skills

while learning how to get the job you deserve

Lesson ID: #0426 page 2

vocabulary actions key phrases• application• boss• candidate• career advice• company• employed• employment office• expertise• field of work• full-time• human resources (HR)• job description• job expectations• job fair• job hiring

• to apply• to expect• to experience• to fill out• to find work• to hire• to know about• to look for• to oversee• to post• to prepare• to relocate• to search• to search for

• Fill out an application.• Make a good/bad impression.• Narrow your search.• Post your résumé.• Search jobs by (location, category, company)• Submit your résumé.• What kind of job are you looking for?

• job listing• job posting• job search• networking• organization• part-time• position• qualifications• recommendations• requirements• responsibilities• salary• unemployment

Phot

o: flickr.com

/pho

tos/vox_efx

Lesson ID: #0426 page 3

1. If Melissa takes her résumé to a ____________, she will find a

new job even faster.

2. Raven will have to ____________ if she gets promoted to

Regional Manager. The home office is all the way in Atlanta!

3. Her ____________ will be larger if she decides to get a

second degree.

4. If anyone is interested, the job ____________ will be detailed in

the job postings.

5. Your new boss will only have your personal information if you

fill it out on your ____________.

conversation Read the following conversation out loud five times.

Tom: Hey there, how’s the job search going?

Melissa: Okay, so far. Yesterday, I went to a job fair, and I also called an employment office. But if David catches me, I will be in big trouble.

Tom: Don’t worry; he’s out all morning. Some big “networking” event, and then he has to go buy our daily lottery ticket. He took Raven, too. So what kinds of positions are you applying for?

Melissa: I’ve sent my résumé everywhere, but haven’t heard back from anyone yet. I’m not expecting much.

Tom: If you push, push, push, you will suc- suc- ceed!

Melissa: Is that from one of our posters?Tom: Yes, a new one. Want to see?Melissa: Hey, that’s pretty excellent.Tom: I know, right? So, let me see

which companies you applied to.

Melissa: I filled out a lot of applications, and I did a search on all the jobs I thought I might be qualified for. For my references, I wrote down my old boss, my favorite high school teacher, and, um, Mrs. Dobbs. Except that now, I’m not really sure I want to leave anymore.

your turn Fill in the blanks using the vocabulary in this lesson.

6. If she is ____________, she will probably take any job because

she needs the money.

7. I will rent my own apartment if my new job offers me a higher

____________.

8. If I get some ____________ before I go job-hunting, I will be

more prepared to make my final decision.

9. The best job for me is a nursing job, so i hope to find an open

___________.

10. One of the best ways to find a job nowadays is through

____________, if you happen to have all the right connections.

Bonus Feature: Watch the English Highway video to follow along! (Lesson ID: #0366)

Lesson ID: #0426 page 4

first conditionalThe first conditional is a grammar structure used to tie one idea to another in order for the main idea to be true. Conditionals are made up of two clauses or ideas: a conditional clause and a result clause. The conditional clause states what must happen for the predicted result to come about, and is usually presented as an “if” statement. The result clause is the main idea.

The first conditional is used to describe a possible future situation along with its consequence.

For example:Everything will go smoothly if you prepare your job applications in advance.

If you know what kind of job you would like, your job search will be a lot easier.

As you can see in the examples above, the verb tenses are different in each of the clauses. In the conditional clause, the verb tense used is the simple present tense. The result clause requires the simple future tense as it predicts a future consequence result-ing from the main clause.

tip 1

If the conditional clause comes first, a comma is used. No comma is needed if the conditional clause comes after the first clause.

applying for jobsOnce you have your résumé ready, the next step is getting it out, along with an application form. There are several ways to get your résumé out to possible employers. Here are a couple of tips on how you might like to proceed during the application process: • Complete your résumé and start your job search. You can check local job postings, as well as those on the Internet. Search for bilingual jobs in your area.• Post your résumé on several Web sites (for examples, go to the career center at OpenEnglish.com – coming November 2008).• Use your network of friends and family. Most people get jobs through personal connections, so don’t underestimate the power of networking.• Attend job fairs in your area. Employers recruit new employees at job fairs.• Look in local newspapers for listings.• Apply for several jobs.• Give your résumé to several people.• Put together a list of people who can serve as references

for you.

Lesson ID: #0426 page 5

your turn

Identify the sentence in which the first conditional tense is used correctly.

1. a. Raven will give Melissa great tips on job searching if she is willing to listen. b. Raven will gave Melissa great tips on job searching, if she is willing to listen.2. a. If you submitted your résumé to several companies, you will increase your chances of finding a job sooner. b. If you submit your résumé to several companies, you will increase your chances of finding a job sooner.3. a. If you know what type of job you will be looking for in advance, you will be able to narrow down your search. b. If you know what type of job you are looking for in advance, you will be able to narrow down your search.4. a. Melissa will think about getting advice at an employment office if she can’t find a job within a week. b. Melissa will thought about getting advice at an employment office if she can’t find a job within a week.5. a. Raven will uses her expertise and experience at IPC in her next interview if she decides to get a new job. b. Raven will use her expertise and experience at IPC in her next interview if she decides to get a new job.

6. a. If the information on your application is incomplete, you will not made a good impression. b. If the information on your application is incomplete, you will not make a good impression.7. a. If you are excited about a particular position, you will

probably write a good cover letter. b. If you are excited about a particular position, you will

probably writing a good cover letter.8. a. If I find a full-time job that pays me enough, I will quit my second job. b. If I find a full-time job that pays me enough, I quit my second job.9. a. Melissa made use of Raven’s search recommendations if she actually decides to look for a new job. b. Melissa will make use of Raven’s search recommendations if she actually decides to look for a new job.10. a. The company will check your references if you are a good

candidate for the job position. b. The company will check your references, if you will be a

good candidate for the job position.

Lesson ID: #0426 page 6

your turn

Read the following text and choose the best answer to complete each sentence.

There are two keys to getting the job you deserve. The first is having the ability to sell yourself. The second is being very careful when choosing the company and administrator with whom you may work. Let’s look at both aspects of getting not just another job, but taking advantage of a rewarding work experience that will be more valuable than your wages.

Selling yourself correctly starts off with all the standard stuff: hav-ing a good résumé, being on time for the interview, dressing pro-fessionally, and writing “thank you” notes following the interview.

Before your interview, you should prepare yourself for interview questions. Questions provide you with opportunities to promote yourself, but only if you are prepared to answer them. Choose stories that emphasize your past accomplishments. Pick three or four of your best professional qualities and make sure the inter-view team hears specific examples of how you have applied them in previous work settings. Don’t forget that portfolios sell and being personable is everything.

So, you are one hot property. How do you keep all this wonderful personal capital you have from being squandered? Find a com-pany that is genuinely interested in what a good job you can do. Ask important questions. Good interviews involve an exchange of information. Look for challenging jobs which will make you happier in the long run rather than that extra fifty dollars per paycheck.

1. What are the two keys to getting a new job? a. Having a good education. b. Selling yourself and researching the company

before your interview. c. Asking important questions.2. Which of the following is important when selling yourself? a. Wanting a good paycheck. b. Leaving one bad job for another. c. Having a good résumé.3. Preparing for your interview questions is an opportunity to… a. Squander your abilities. b. Promote yourself. c. Ask important questions.4. In your interview answers, be sure to emphasize… a. Your past accomplishments. b. Your past job experiences. c. Your college education.5. In your interviews, remember that… a. You need the money. b. You’re one hot property. c. Portfolios help sell.6. In order to make the most of your abilities, find a place that… a. Doesn’t need your unique abilities. b. Will help you grow. c. Is interested in what a good job you can do.

Lesson ID: #0426 page 7

answer key

your turn - exercise 31. b2. c3. b4. a5. c6. c

your turn - exercise 21. a2. b3. b4. a5. b6. b7. a8. a9. b10. a

your turn - exercise 1 1. job fair2. relocate3. field of work/salary4. requirements/description5. application6. unemployed7. salary8. career advice9. position10. networking