English for

Job Hunters
 Page 2

Ep 1: Understanding job adverts 1

Job advert components

1. position
2. skills
3. characteristics
4. qualifications
5. job duties
6. salary

Read this job advert and identify each component. Do you understand it?

Sales Manager

•     Are you good at motivating people?

•     Do you have a track record of success at driving top sales results?

We are looking for an analytical thinker who can develop sales strategies, plans and

processes. We need a leader who can work hard and effectively manage a team.

You would be in charge of 10 staff members. You would need to develop sales strategies,

create and implement sales programs, analyze statistics and ensure that our clients receive

the best service. You will also be expected to motivate your staff to meet sales targets. A

bachelor’s degree and at least 3 years sales experience are necessary. You must have

excellent management and coaching skills, and great communication and presentation skills.

Starting salary 70,000 baht plus bonuses

 
 Page 3

Useful language

We’re looking for / seeking …

We’re seeking a teacher to join our team.

We urgently require…
We urgently require an experienced video editor to work at our
Chiang Mai office.

Ep 2: Understanding job adverts 2

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Interpersonal skills
Good command of English

Qualifications

A background in … necessary / essential / a must

A degree in … is preferred / preferable / desirable / (would be)
Proficiency in … a plus
 Page 4

You must have ….

You must be able to…
You (may) need to …
You need to be/have….

Job duties
You’ll be expected to…
You would need to …
You job/job duties/responsibilities… include/would include…
You’ll be responsible for / in charge of ...

Salary
Starting salary
Competitive salary
Negotiable salary

Ep 3: Work-related vocabulary 1

job advert / job advertisement / job ad / want ad

job hunter / job seeker
job opening / job vacancy / vacant position
application process
application form
résumé / CV (curriculum vitae)
cold-calling
 Page 5

Ep 4: Work-related vocabulary 2
qualifications
requirements
work experience
skills
transferable skills
candidate
make it to the short list
a job interview

Ep 5: Work-related vocabulary 3
commission / incentive
house rent allowance
relocation allowance
remuneration
perks
benefits
promotion
pension
provident fund
leave
maternity leave / paternity leave
annual leave
sick leave
 Page 6

Ep 6: Vocabulary for résumés 1

Résumé components
1. Name and contact details
2. Summary
3. Academic qualifications
4. Professional experience
5. Skills

Summary
A highly creative graphic designer with extensive experience in print
design

Summary patterns

Extremely creative recent graduate excellent interpersonal skills

Highly experienced specialist with extensive teaching experience
responsible data analyst experience in …marketing…
graphic designer experience in print design

Ep 7: Vocabulary for résumés 2

Language focus

- Use the past tense to talk about past experience

- Use plural nouns when talking about things in general
- Use action verbs

Examples
developed strategies / new software
implemented new policies / plans / measures
organized workshops / exhibitions / events
liaised with project managers / clients / service providers
negotiated deals / prices / purchasing agreements
managed budgets / people / inventory
 Page 7

Exercise: Making your duties sound better

gave solutions
found information about brands
told people to come to weekly meetings
worked with the marketing team
used new systems
gave advice to junior staff members
helped the manager in developing promotions
_________________ solutions
_________________ brands
_________________ weekly meetings
_________________ with the marketing team
_________________ new systems
_________________ junior staff members
_________________ the manager in developing promotions

Ep 8: Interview questions 1
Frequently asked questions
· Please introduce yourself.
· Can you tell us about yourself?
· Briefly introduce yourself, please.
· Where did you go to university?
· Why did you leave your last job?
· Why did you decide to change jobs?
· Tell us about a time when you….had to make a difficult decision/
had to deal with a difficult customer.
· What do you know about us?
· Why should we hire you?
· Why do you want this job?

Ep 9: Interview questions 2
· Why do you want to work here? / Why are you interested in
working for us?
o I’d like to work at a fast-growing company like yours.
o I admire how your company values creativity and innovation.
o I’m passionate about technology and your company has a
strong reputation for innovative technology.
 Page 8

· What experience do you have that’s relevant to this position? /

Do you have any experience in this industry?
o I worked as a content provider for an online news agency for
three years.

· What do you know about us?

o I know that you’re a leading company in this sector. You believe in
empowering people.

Ep 10: Interview questions 3

· What are your strengths?

· What is one of your weaknesses?

o I tend to be hard on myself.
o I have the tendency to take the lead so sometimes I can come
across as a dominating person.

· What makes you think that you are the right fit for the team? / Why
do you think you’ll be a good fit for the team?
o I think I have what it takes to be the sales manager at your
company. I have good interpersonal skills and extensive
experience in sales. I’m good at persuading and managing
people.

· What do/would your friends/colleagues say about/describe you?

o They say that I’m very determined and ambitious.

· Where do you see yourself in ten years/in ten years’ time?

o I hope I’ll be working as a manager or a team leader where I
will/can face more challenges.

· Do you have any questions you would like to ask us?

 Page 9

Ep 11: Talking about yourself 1

Talking about interests and skills
I’m good at + noun / gerund
I’m good at maths.
I’m good at making decisions.
I’m good at analyzing data.

I’m not good at / very good at + noun / gerund

I'm not very good at English.
I’m not very good at talking in front of a large audience.

I enjoy + noun / gerund

I enjoy working with people.

I’m interested in + noun / gerund

I'm interested in AI technology.

I have ….. skills.

I have communication skills.
I have strong creative skills.

I’m proficient in …
I’m proficient in English

Skills
research skills
analytical skills
communication skills
people skills
interpersonal skills
leadership skills
organizational skills
problem-solving skills
 Page 10

Ep 12: Talking about yourself 2

Talking about education
I graduated with an MBA from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok in 2017.
I hold an MBA in international business.
I have a degree in psychology.

Talking about experience

Past tense (Sub + V2)
In my last/previous job, I was responsible for …

Present perfect tense (Sub + has/have + V3)

I have worked in the media industry for ten years.
I have worked in the media industry since 2008.
I have worked as a teacher.

Present perfect continuous tense (Sub + has/have + been + Ving)

I have been working as a teacher for ten years.

Ep 13: Talking about yourself 3

Adjectives describing personality traits
hardworking
creative
decisive
determined
committed
motivated
reliable
dependable
flexible
adaptable
well-organized
 Page 11

Ep 14: Talking about yourself 4

Adjectives describing personality traits
result-oriented
goal-oriented
detail-oriented
resourceful
dedicated
innovative
ambitious
proactive
dynamic

Talking about your personality and what you can do

I am + adjective.
I am hardworking.

I can + verb.
I can work under pressure.
I can meet deadlines.

I enjoy + noun / gerund.

I enjoy talking to customers.
I enjoy interacting with clients.

I don’t mind + noun / gerund.

I don’t mind working long hours.
I don’t mind working late.
I don’t mind working at weekends.
 Page 12

I am + a + noun.
I'm a fast learner.
I’m a good listener.
I’m a team player.

Talking about weaknesses

I can be a bit ….
I can be a bit stubborn sometimes.

Tip: Demonstrate that you are aware of your weaknesses. Explain how you
have tackled them.

I used to be a bit disorganized but I realized that I should change, so I started

to prioritize my tasks and plan my work. I learned how to work more
systematically.

Ep 15: How to ask questions politely

Asking for clarification
Could you explain what you mean by….?
Could you explain what you mean by on-the-job training.

Could you elaborate on that, please?

I didn’t quite catch what you said. Can you repeat it?

Asking for permission

Do you mind if I ….?
Do you mind if I take notes during the interview?

Can I …?
Can I take notes?
 Page 13

Asking for more information

Would you mind...?
Would you mind explaining that?
Would you mind going over that?

Could you tell me…?

Could you tell me what you expect from your employees?

Could you / would you tell me more about…?

Could you tell me more about the on-the-job training that you provide?