Lesson ID: #0426 page 1

Good luck
with your job
hunting!
lesson description
You 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
rsum is written.
objectives
Employ common job-hunting phrases
Recognize and produce the frst
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
ofce
expertise
feld of work
full-time
human
resources (HR)
job description
job expectations
job fair
job hiring
to apply
to expect
to experience
to fll out
to fnd 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 rsum.
Search jobs by (location, category,
company)
Submit your rsum.
What kind of job are you looking for?
job listing
job posting
job search
networking
organization
part-time
position
qualifcations
recommendations
requirements
responsibilities
salary
unemployment
P
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o
:
f
ic
k
r
.c
o
m
/
p
h
o
t
o
s
/
v
o
x
_
e
f
x
Lesson ID: #0426 page 3
1. If Melissa takes her rsum to a ____________, she will fnd a
new job even faster.
2. Raven will have to ____________ if she gets promoted to
Regional Manager. The home ofce 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
fll it out on your ____________.
conversation
Read the following conversation out loud
fve times.
Tom: Hey there, hows the job search
going?
Melissa: Okay, so far. Yesterday, I went
to a job fair, and I also called
an employment ofce. But if
David catches me, I will be in
big trouble.
Tom: Dont worry; hes 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: Ive sent my rsum everywhere,
but havent heard back from
anyone yet. Im 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, thats pretty excellent.
Tom: I know, right? So, let me see
which companies you applied to.
Melissa: I flled out a lot of applications,
and I did a search on all the jobs
I thought I might be qualifed for.
For my references, I wrote down
my old boss, my favorite high
school teacher, and, um,
Mrs. Dobbs. Except that now, Im
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 ofers me a higher
____________.
8. If I get some ____________ before I go job-hunting, I will be
more prepared to make my fnal decision.
9. The best job for me is a nursing job, so i hope to fnd an open
___________.
10. One of the best ways to fnd 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
frst conditional
The frst 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 frst 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
diferent 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 frst, a comma is used. No
comma is needed if the conditional clause comes after the
frst clause.
applying for jobs
Once you have your rsum ready, the next step is getting it out,
along with an application form. There are several ways to get
your rsum out to possible employers. Here are a couple of tips
on how you might like to proceed during the application process:
Complete your rsum 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 rsum 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 dont 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 rsum 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 frst 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 rsum to several companies, you
will increase your chances of fnding a job sooner.
b. If you submit your rsum to several companies, you will
increase your chances of fnding 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
ofce if she cant fnd a job within a week.
b. Melissa will thought about getting advice at an
employment ofce if she cant fnd 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 fnd a full-time job that pays me enough, I will quit my
second job.
b. If I fnd a full-time job that pays me enough, I quit my
second job.
9. a. Melissa made use of Ravens search recommendations if she
actually decides to look for a new job.
b. Melissa will make use of Ravens 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 frst is
having the ability to sell yourself. The second is being very careful
when choosing the company and administrator with whom you
may work. Lets 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 of with all the standard stuf: hav-
ing a good rsum, 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 specifc examples of how you have applied them
in previous work settings. Dont 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 ffty 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 rsum.
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. Youre one hot property.
c. Portfolios help sell.
6. In order to make the most of your abilities, fnd a place that
a. Doesnt 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 3
1. b
2. c
3. b
4. a
5. c
6. c
your turn - exercise 2
1. a
2. b
3. b
4. a
5. b
6. b
7. a
8. a
9. b
10. a
your turn - exercise 1
1. job fair
2. relocate
3. feld of work/salary
4. requirements/description
5. application
6. unemployed
7. salary
8. career advice
9. position
10. networking