5 Job and Profession

Snapshot Observe the picture then answer the questions that follow.

Preview questions.

1. Who are the people in the picture?

2. What levels of education are they?
3. What are their jobs?
4. What are their professions?
5. Where do they work?
6. Which profession do you want to be?
7. What skills are needed for each profession in the picture?
8. Do you have the required skill to be in a profession?
9. Do you think job and profession are important? Why.

Related Terms Study the terms below.

to hire to quit one's job unemployed, jobless

resume staff member to look for a job employee
employer to apply for letter of application CV
freelancer work agreement temporary wages
income to work full-time to work part-time, pay
educations to be paid by monthly payment holiday
to fire annual pay gross pay taxes
interview fringe benefits maternity leave vacation
salary health insurance accident insurance bonus
expenses life insurance pension plan tips

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 Eight Important Job Skill :

Here are some skills that employers look for.

1) Use computer 5) Work well with people

2) Teach others how to do things 6) Solve problems
3) Speak other languages 7) Manage other people
4) Be good at science and math 8) manage money well

Which of these skills do you think are most important? Why?

Check () the skills that you think you have.
Look at the skills you checked. What jobs do you think you might be good at?

Reading Read the text below and answer the given questions.

I got my first job when I was 12 years old. I worked as a paperboy delivering
newspapers to people in my village every morning. I used to get up very early and
deliver the papers to half of the village while my friend Ben would deliver to the
other half. I used to love seeing the empty streets of the village before anyone got up
but I used to hate the job on rainy days. I would sometimes ride my bike to get the
job done faster. Ben was luckier than me, sometimes if he couldn’t be bothered to
do his paper round, his Dad would drive him around his route in his car!

1. What was his first job?

2. Did he work as a newspaper boy with his friend?
3. Where did he deliver newspapers?
4. Did he have to deliver papers to the whole village?
5. What did he enjoy about his job?
6. What didn’t he like about his job?
7. How did he do his job?
8. Who helped Ben do his job?
Look at this advertisement from a job website and answer
Practice A the questions.

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Practice B

Syariful is applying for the job advertised above. Read his letter of application below.
In what ways is he a good candidate for the post?

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to apply for the post of European Sales Director advertised on you
‘Execnet’ website. I am 37 years old, Indonesian, with medical degree from the
Islamic University of Sultan Syarif Kasim (2003), and a Masters in Business
Administration from the University of Los Angeles (2006). I joined my present
company, AVRC Pharmaceuticals, in 2011. After two years as Marketing Manager for
South America, I moved to Madrid to take up my present position as Regional
Director for Southern Europe.
Before joining AVRC I was in charge of clinical trials for new drugs at Medilab,
where I spent five years. I also have four years’ experience as a research scientist for
new drugs, first with Schering Plough (2006-10), then with Merck (2010-11). My
professional experience also includes four years as a doctor working for a medical
charity in Peru, before leaving to start my two-year MBA course.
Concerning my language ability, I am fluent in Indonesian, English, and
Spanish, and I am currently following an intensive course in French. I am hard-
working, creative, and ambitious, and after a number of years with the same
company, I would appreciate the opportunity of the new challenge.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully

Syariful

Language Focus 1 The present perfect.

• The present perfect is formed with the present simple of the verb have, and the
past participle of the main verb. For a list of irregular past participles, see the
Appendix. For regular verbs, the past participle is the same as the past simple
form, e.g. to work – he worked – he has worked.
• We use the present perfect to talk about an action or situation which started in
the past, and is not finished now.
He’s (he has) lived in Bengkalis since 1999. (And he lives there now.)
I’ve worked for this company for five years. (And I still work there now.)
They’ve been married since 2010. (And they’re still married now.)
• We use since with a moment in time, and for with a period of time.
since 1992, since June, since two o’clock, for seven years, for half an hour.

1. He … a qualified doctor 2. He …. his MBA 3. He … for AVRC … 1997.

…. many years. (be) qualification …. 1998. (work)
(have)

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 Present perfect + for or since
4. How long has he lived in Europe?
5. How long has he been Regional Director for Southern Europe?
6. How long has he worked in the pharmaceutical industry?

Complete the missing sentences using the verb in the

Practice C
bracket as in the example.

Past simple Present perfect

I got married in 2011. I’ve been married since 2011. (be)

She joined Language Center in 2008. …………………………………(work)
………………………………………(move) They’ve lived here for 10 years.
He met his wife three years ago. ………………………………… (know)
…………………………………… (start) I’ve had this job since February.
We arrived here about an hour ago. …………………………………(be)

Now answer these questions:

1. How long have you lived in your present home, and when did you move there?
2. How long have you known your English lecturer, and when did you first meet
him/her?
3. How long have you been in this classroom and what time did you arrive?

Role Play

1. Make a list of questions you have to ask to complete the missing information,
e.g. When was she born?
2. Ask your partner your questions and answer his or her questions.
3. When you’ve finished, discuss the following:
a. What similarities are there between Syariful’s and Patricia’s professional
experience?
b. Who do you think is the better candidate for the job? Look again at the job
advertisement.

Practice D look at the handouts on the following page.

Hand Out for Student A.

CURRICULUM VITAE
Name : Patricia Paganini
Date of birth : ………………………….
Nationality : England/Italian
Marital status : Married
QUALIFICATION :
1990 Obtained Degree in Pharmacology, University
of London.

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1997 Obtained Diploma in Marketing Studies – London
Institute of Marketing.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE :
19… - 1992 University of London Research scientist in
Pharmacology unit
1992 – 1994 European Commission, Brussels
Participated in European Community Drug
Development Programme, co-ordinating and
financing projects between hospitals and
European pharmaceutical companies.
1994 - 2001 AVRC Pharmaceuticals, Milan, Italy
As Head of Research (…… years), I was
responsible for the development of a new range
of anti-depressant drugs. Then, worked as
Marketing Manager for Italy (4 years).
2001 – present Pharmaline, Paris Pharmaline sells
pharmaceutical products over the Internet.I
joined the company as product consultant. Since
……….
I have been Marketing Manager for Europe.

LANGUAGES :
English / Italian (native speaker)
………………… (fluent).
INTERESTS :
Skiing, tennis, Modern European literature,
architecture

Hand Out for Student B.

CURRICULUM VITAE
Name : Patricia Paganini
Date of birth : 1st June 1966
Nationality : ………………………….
Marital status : Married
QUALIFICATION :
1990 Obtained Degree in Pharmacology, University
of London.
19…… Obtained Diploma in Marketing Studies –
London Institute of Marketing (2 – year
correspondence course)

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 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE :
1990 – 1992 University of London
Research scientist in Pharmacology unit
1992 – 1994 Participated in European Community Drug
Development Programme, co-ordinating and
financing projects between hospitals and
European pharmaceutical companies.
1994 – 2001 AVRC Pharmaceuticals, Milan, Italy
As Head of Research (3 years), I was
responsible for the development of a new
range of anti-depressant drugs.
I then worked as Marketing Manager for Italy
(…… years) – present Pharmaline, Paris
Pharmaline sells pharmaceutical products over
the Internet. I joined the company as product
consultant. Since 2003 I have been ……………..
for Europe.
LANGUAGES :
English / Italian (native speaker)
French (fluent)
INTERESTS :
Skiing, tennis, Modern European literature,
architecture

Writing

Writing prompts:
A. Find a job advertisement you would like to do from a jobs website.
B. Write a letter of application and a short CV to apply for the advertised job.
C. Use the Syariful’s letter and Paganini’s CV as models.

Listening Number the steps for looking for a job in the right order.

a. Phone or email the company and ask for an application form.

b. Go for a job interview.
c. Read a job advertisement on a website or in a newspaper.
d. Start work.
e. Apply for the job - send the application form and a 01 to the company.
f. Receive and accept a job offer.

When we go for job interviews, we usually answer questions about our work
experience. Here are some questions that may be asked in a job’s interview.

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a. Do you enjoy working with people?
b. How long have you been [in sales]?
c. Have you ever worked [in marketing]?
d. Have you ever lived in a different country?
e. What do you do in your free time?
f. Why do you want this job?
g. Can you tell me about your present job?

Listening Listen to the audio and work on the given assignment.

Listen to interview 1 and answer the questions.

1. What city and country is the job in?

2. What department is the job in?
3. What is the job title?
4. Has Ben prepared for the interview? Give reasons for your answer.

Listen to interview 2. Match the questions a – g above with the candidate’s

responses below.

1. _______ Yes, I was in Thailand for six months.

2. _______ Yes, I have studied marketing at university and worked for an advertising
company for a year.
3. _______ I work in sales and I’ve managed teams and projects.
4. _______ Oh, yes, it’s what I enjoy most about my job.
5. _______ I’ve worked in sales for three years.
6. _______ I play golf and tennis.
7. _______ I really want to work in marketing. This is a great opportunity for my
career and I think I have the right skills for the job.
Who do you think is the best person for the job – Ben or Denesh? Give reasons for
your answer.

Language Focus 2 Clauses and sentences.

For more explanation see appendices page 104.

Do the exercise below.

1. Determine whether the group of words is an independent or a subordinate clause.
a. It seemed like yesterday
b. Despite the fact you knew
c. If we could just see eye to eye
d. Wherever he might go
e. Before we leave

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 2. Identify the noun clause in each of the following sentences.
a. I don't understand what he sees in this.
b. Phyllis's suggestion that we go through the Blue Ridge Mountains was a good
one.
c. James was wondering what Wednesday's lineup is going to be.
d. Our intention is that we be able to visit the Eiffel Tower on our way through
Paris.
e. Why you decided to switch careers this late in the game is hard to
comprehend.
3. Identify the adjective clause in each sentence.
a. Did you spill the glass of milk that was in the refrigerator?
b. The police are searching for the person who lives in this apartment.
c. The room on your left is where the supervisor works.
d. Do you remember when you fell and sprained your wrist?
e. I want to go on a ride that is fast, like a roller coaster.
4. Identify the adverb clause in each of the following sentences.
a. Because the book was old, it was kept behind glass.
b. This dining room set is yours provided that your payment goes through.
c. Mark is not allowed to leave even if he insists on going.
d. I was ready to go before the sun was up.
e. He acted as if he belonged there.

Identify each question whether it is a simple, compound, or complex sentence.

1. At what age would you like to retire?

2. Can you talk about what a typical day at your current job is like?
3. What was your first job?
4. Do you get paid more for overtime work?
5. Do you have a part-time job? If so, what do you do?
6. Do you have to attend a lot of meetings for your job?
7. Do you have to do a lot of paperwork?
8. Do you have to work overtime? If so, how often?
9. Do you have to work on Sundays?
10. Can women do this job or is it better for a man to be an undertaker?
11. Do you like your boss? Why or why not?
12. Have you ever worked?
13. Do you have a job? How did you get it? Did you have to go to university to get it?
14. What is the name of your job?
15. Is it a popular job? Is it a job mainly for men, or for women?
16. Did you need any special training to get your job?
17. What type of special training did you need?
18. How long and where was the training?
19. Is it an indoor, or outdoor job?
20. Which do you think most people prefer, indoor or outdoor jobs?
21. Does your job pay a good salary?
22. What are the advantages and disadvantages to your job?
23. Which do you think are some of the more demanding jobs?
24. Which are the least demanding jobs?

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 Read the text below and underline the clauses from the
Reading
text.

What are employers looking for?

Most employers say that they wish to employ the right person for the right
job. A recent report by Britain's independent Institute of Manpower Studies,
however, disagrees with this. The report states that most employers wish to avoid
employing the wrong person. Rather than looking for the right person, they are
looking for applicants to turn down.
The report also suggests that in Britain and in many other parts of the world,
the selection methods used to identify the right person for the job certainly do not
match up to those used to evaluate a piece of new equipment. Recruiters used three
main selection methods: interviewing, checking curriculum vitae or application forms
against predecided criteria, and examining references. Most of the recruiters
consulted in this survey stated that these selection methods were used more for
"weeding out" unsuitable candidates rather than for finding suitable ones.
Interviews were considered to be more reliable than either curriculum
checks or references from past employers. Research, however, proves otherwise.
Interviewers' decisions are often strongly influenced by their previous assessment of
the written application. Also, different recruiters interpret facts differently. One may
consider candidates who have frequently changed jobs as people with broad and
useful experience. Another will view such candidates as unreliable and unlikely to
stay for long in the new job.
Some employers place great importance on academic qualifications whereas
the link between this and success in management is not necessarily strong. Some
recruiters use handwriting as a criterion. The report states that there is little
evidence to support the validity of the latter for assessing working ability.
References, also, are sometime unreliable as they are rarely critical, whereas checks
on credit and security records and applicants' political leanings are often the
opposite.
The report is more favorable towards trainability tests and those which test
personality and personal and mental skills. The report concludes by suggesting that
interviewing could become more reliable if the questions were more structured and
focused on the needs of the employing organization.

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