C 9- Work

I. SPEAKING

 Some people live to work, and others work to live. In most cases, this depends on the job
they have and the conditions under which they are employed. In your opinion, what are the
elements that make a job worthwhile?

 What kind of work are you interested in: well paid, interesting work, work in a large and
famous company, quiet work, work in an industry which has future prospects, a kind of work
such as not to sit the whole day in the office, to travel a lot?

 What is more important when choosing a job: personal or financial satisfaction?

II. READING
The Guardian newspaper asked their readers for their most awkward and/or mortifying job interview
stories. Not something you’d share easily you’d think, but over 150 stories were traded with ease!
Read 5 examples then say which of them you liked the most and why.

a. Halfway through, I managed to get my thumb ring stuck in my necklace and had to sit through
the rest of the interview with my hand stuck to my neck. It wasn’t too bad until one of the
interviewers tried to shake my hand at the end.”

b. Ten years ago, I was interviewing a potential employee. His CV was perfect, education spot-
on. Where he failed was attaching a full-frontal naked picture on the CV. I still hired him, but it
took all my will power to only ever look at him straight in the face.”

c. When I entered the interview room, the director had her feet on the desk ‚ she was being
given a pedicure by one of her employees. The pedicure lasted throughout our talk, during
which the director said, I have an apartment in Florida. Every winter, I invite some of the
employees down for a visit. If you’re a good boy, I might ask you.’ Being a good boy, I looked
for employment elsewhere.‘

d. I went on a job interview a few years ago for a data entry position. Part of the interview was
testing your typing speed. The interviewer stood next to me and told me to “right click to open
this file” and I was so nervous that in the note pad window that was open, I actually wrote the
word ‘click’. Both got a good laugh and I GOT THE JOB!

e. I once went on job interview where upon arrival I parked my car, got out, locked the door and
immediately locked my thumb in the door. My keys were already in my purse. I yelled for help
but no one came. I finally managed to twist and turn and get my keys out of my purse. I went
ahead and went into the interview for a receptionist position. During the interview the
interviewer asked me to take a typing test. I explained that I couldn’t take the test because of
my thumb. I offered to come back the next day to take the typing test. The interviewer got me
a cup of ice water and I soaked my thumb while we continued the interview. The next day I
got a call from the company. I was hired without a typing test. They said anyone who could
stay as calm and collected as I was with a thumb swollen and bruised was someone they
certainly wanted to run their front office.
C 9- Work
III. USE OF ENGLISH- Fill in the gaps with the following words and phrases:

applicant; application; application form; apply; candidate; curriculum vitae (CV); employment agencies;
interview; job description; job vacancies; references; short-listed

Many people looking for work read the (1) …………………….. advertised in newspapers by companies and
(2) …………………. . To reply to an advertisement is to (3) ……………… for a job. (You become a (4)
………………… or an (5) …………………………). You write an (6) ……………………, or fill in the company’s
(7) ……………………, and send it, along with your (8) …………………….. and a covering letter. You often
have to give the names of two people who are prepared to write (9) ………………….for you. If your
qualifications and abilities match the (10) …………………., you might be (11) ……………………, i.e. selected
to attend an (12) ……………………….

WORD FORMATION- complete the text by changing the form of the words in brackets:

CIRCLE THE CORRECT PREPOSITION

1. I don’t know why but I’ve always wanted to work as/of a farmer.
2. They are looking for a computer programmer so Fiona has applied about/for the job.
3. I’ll look after the office while you are away- you can depend on/with me.
4. I think it’s time for a change. I’m fed up with/ on working here.
5. Teressa is responsible for/with answering the phone and taking messages.

CONTINUE THE SENTENCES LOGICALLY

1. I was afraid the first time I was in charge ………………………………………………………………..
2. If I had my own business I would………………………………………………………………………….
3. I’m afraid we are not looking for new workers because…………………………………………………
4. I got fired from my previous job……………………………………………………………………………
5. Our company was taken over by………………………………………………………………………….
C 9- Work

LISTENING - you are going to listen to a girl, Pia who goes for a job interview to try and get a new
job. Listen to the interview and fill in the gaps with the missing words.

Name: Pia Marcotti

Place of Birth: (1) , Italy.
Age: (2)

Her (3) worked for the same company.

Post-University Experience
Worked for mother's (4) company, Meals On Wheels. Main responsibilities:
webmaster and advertising.

She worked for about (5) .year

September 2002 - February 2003

Travelled mostly in Europe but also a month in (6) .

Languages Spoken:
(7) - fluent
(8) - good after (9) years of study.

She also worked in (10) at a shoe company, but she soon gave up because it got
repetitive.