Study the ways of finding a job and discuss them in pairs or in small groups.

MODULE 1

I. JOB HUNTING

Task 1.

1) In pairs or small groups discuss the following:

1. Have you ever tried to find a job in accordance with your speciality?

2. What skills and qualifications are necessary to have to find a good job of your speciality?

3. Which of the following are important to you in a job? Classify them in order of importance.

Long holidays; friendly colleagues; a challenging, interesting and creative job; competitive salary; pleasant working environment; regular bonus; good pension; prestigious company; opportunity for promotion; flexible hours; foreign travel; other perks (e.g. company car, sick pay).

Describe your dream job.

As a jobseeker, you will have to follow a certain schedule that will involve analyzing your strengths and restricting your search; preparing a dossier; looking in the right places for a job; constructing a CV (curriculum vitae); writing letters of application; attending an interview; accepting or declining a job; filling out a job application. You can secure a suitable job on today's highly competitive job market if you keep in mind that the basic purpose of all this activity is to sell yourself, preferably to the best employer and for the highest price.

Task 2. Words to remember:

achievement – досягнення

advantage – перевага

advertise – рекламувати, оголошувати

advertisement (ad) – оголошення

aim – ціль; syn purpose, objective

applicant – кандидат, претендент, заявник

apply for a job – подавати заяву на роботу

appreciate – цінувати, бути вдячним

arrange for an interview – влаштовувати, домовитись про співбесіду

available – доступний, що є у наявності

background – вихідні дані, підготовка

be good at – мати схильність до

be interested in – цікавитись чимось

be willing to do smth – бути готовим до, робити з задоволенням

bonus – премія, надбавка, пільга; syn perks

career growth – кар’єрний ріст

challenging work – складна, перспективна робота

community activities – суспільна діяльність

competitive salary – конкурентоспроможна зарплата

confidence – впевненість

consider – розглядати, вважати

cover letter – супровідний лист

CV (Curriculum Vitae) – автобіографія

employ – надавати роботу, мати в штаті

employee (office worker, white-collar worker, clerk) – працівник (службовець, «білий комірець»)

employer – роботодавець

employment (recruitment) agency – бюро по працевлаштуванню

employment history – послужний список

enjoy doing smth – подобатись, отримувати задоволення від

fellowship – стипендія

flexible hours – гнучкий графік роботи

fill in an application form – заповнити анкету, заявку

find (found, found) – знаходити

find out – дізнаватись

fringe benefits – додаткові позазарплатні пільги (пенсія, відпускні, страховка, тощо)

have experience in some field – мати досвід у якійсь сфері

hold a position – обіймати посаду

job hunting – пошук роботи

job seeker – людина, яка шукає роботу

long-term goals – довгострокові цілі

look for a job – шукати роботу

look forward to (hearing from smb) – з нетерпінням чекати звістки

make an impression – справити враження

match (fit) the position – відповідати (посаді)

negotiable – договірний, який підлягає обговоренню

offer – пропонувати

part-time work – неповна зайнятість

pay and benefits – оплата та пільги

perform functions (duties) – виконувати функції, обов’язки

prefer – надавати перевагу

previous experience – попередній досвід

probation period – випробний термін

promotion – просування, кар’єрне зростання

qualifications – кваліфікація, професіоналізм

quality – якість

recent position (post, appointment) – остання посада

recruit for a job – наймати на роботу

refer (relate to) – торкатись, відноситись до

reference – рекомендація

relevant – значущий, істотний

remuneration – компенсаційний пакет (сукупність усіх видів винагород робітника, включаючи заробітну плату, соціальний пакет, страхові виплати, тощо)

require – вимагати; requirements – вимоги

responsibilities – обов’язки

short-list – включити до кінцевого списку, відібрати

skilful, experienced – умілий, досвідчений

skills – навички, вміння

strength – сила, сильна сторона

suit smb – влаштовувати

supply (information, documents) – надавати, постачати

tip (advice) – рекомендація, порада

vacancy (job opening) – вакансія

vocational training – професійне навчання

volunteer work – волонтерська робота

weakness – слабкість, слабка сторона

with reference to the advertisement in… – стосовно вашого оголошення

work overtime – працювати понаднормово

work under pressure – працювати під натиском

Task3.

Job hunting

Employment agencies: The different types of employment agencies including search firms, executive search firms, contingency agencies, and retained search firms.

Job search engines: Use a job search engine to search all the top job sites, company sites, and online newspapers. There are a lot of websites, such as www.jobs.ua, www.work.ua, www.totaljobs.com.

Ads: Local and regional employers don't always post on the major jobs sites. Instead, they will advertise in their local newsletter to avoid being overwhelmed with applicants and, in many cases, because they are not interested in paying relocation costs.

Job fair is a fair or exposition for employers, recruiters and schools to meet with prospective job seekers. Expos usually include company or organization tables or booths where resumes can be collected and business cards can be exchanged.

Network is the practice of meeting other people involved in the same kind of work, sharing information, supporting each other. Career networking should become a part of your daily work and career-related endeavors. Your career network should be in place for when you need it, both for job searching and for moving along the career ladder. Since you never know when you might need it, it makes sense to have an active career network, even if you don't need it today.

2) Answer the questions:

1. What other ways of getting a job can you name?

2. What are advantages and disadvantages of each way?

3. What way would you choose if you needed to find a job? Why? Explain your point of view.

4. What way is the most difficult to follow?

Task4.

1) Read and discuss the perspectives of careers in IT:

How to Find IT Jobs

IT professional is one of the hottest majors on college campuses today. The allure of high starting salaries and being in demand among employers is great. They are sought after in today's job market. This demand is fueled by the continuing development of and reliance on increasingly complicated forms of technology in society. For those with a degree in this area, it isn't hard to find IT jobs.

Things you'll need:

1. Attend job fairs. If you are a student, the computer sciences department at your university will almost certainly hold one or more job fairs each year. These fairs are excellent opportunities to find out what companies are hiring, what your job would involve and any special qualifications you might need. You can also talk to the people who will do the hiring, which gives you the chance to impress them in person.

2. Get an internship. Internships in computer sciences provide invaluable experience that you can use when you start your career. Internships also allow you to make personal contacts in the field and to establish relationships at the firm where you are interning. You can use these contacts and relationships to secure a job for yourself after graduation. In fact, many companies hire their interns outright after those interns graduate.

3. Network with IT professionals. Join local professional groups and attend their meetings. This gives you the opportunity to meet others who are working in the field. These personal contacts can lead to job offers down the road.

4. Look in the classified ads of the newspaper in the town in which you want to work. Usually firms do place want ads, just like other companies. The job you want may be listed today. If it's not, keep looking until you see something that appeals to you. New jobs open up every day in this country.

Paths to Professions

And every company or organization has a computer-related component that's critical for getting the job done. So you might program or engineer computer software (though the BLS warns that programming jobs will likely shrink due to offshoring and the increasing ability of users to write their own programs), evaluate and implement the proper computer network architecture to fulfill a company's objectives, develop or administer websites, coordinate a company's information security, or design games and apps.

A strong background in the technical fundamentals of computer science and programming languages like Java, Microsoft.NET, and C++ are obviously important for success in the field. But a creative brain and an ambition to stay updated on the newest advances in the field -- whether through books or training -- are also key, according to recruiters and IT employees. That's because there's never one way to solve a problem and technologies are constantly evolving.

"You always have a new challenge and you're always applying a different set of knowledge to solve it," says Jim Schelle, a solution architect for Synchronoss Technologies in Seattle, Wash. "It's constant work to stay on top of it. You don't get to rest on your laurels in the tech industry."

It's also important that you can communicate and work well with others, because you'll likely be working in a group with other programmers, engineers, or architects. And don't expect to arrive at an interview with strong grades as the main proof of your desirability as a candidate — be prepared to show hiring managers your code from a class project or a student competition (read: get involved with activities outside of your core course load) or a program you created in your spare time.

Salaries in information technology are strong—Web developers start out earning an average of $38,800 a year, according to salary data from PayScale.com. With several years of experience, you can earn $94,800 per year as an information technology program manager, or $93,600 per year as a software development manager. And many companies pay much more for skills that are in-demand.

What Professionals in the Field Say:

Sixty-five percent of those in the field who answered our PayScale.com survey said the skills sets they learned in their degree program (in CIS or MIS-related degrees) were important or very important for advancing their careers; and 53% of respondents said they'd recommend or strongly recommend an IT-related major to a friend, family member, or colleague.

Personality Fit for IT: Curious, creative problem solvers with strong technical abilities.

Your IT Career: In order to get hired in IT, you'll need a strong undergraduate background in computer science, math, and physics classes, because while you'll learn plenty on the job, recruiters and employees in the field stress that those technical building blocks are crucial for cementing the kind of analytical thinking that's necessary to succeed.

But you don't have to stick just to tech companies for prospective jobs—you can also take your programming skills and apply them in another field. For example, Adam Roberts, a 2007 computer engineering graduate of the University of Florida, spent two years as a teacher in the Teach for America program, and now works as an IT manager for a school district in Washington, D.C.

Getting Started: While there's not a set career trajectory in IT, being a recent college graduate, you might enter the workforce as an entry-level computer programmer or software engineer, where you'd be writing or updating code or engineering computer software. Recruiters say it can be a plus to have a sense of the creative side—the graphic design elements that compliment programming. But be cautious about focusing only on the latest hot tools.

Get on the Fast Track: Hot areas of IT where jobs are expected to grow include cyber security and cloud computing, and mobile- and Web-based games and apps are exploding. So if you know the mobile programming language HTML5, or are a whiz at using Flash to design cool graphics, you'll have a leg up. The field of Web analytics, used to enhance user experience or business functions, is also poised for huge growth, so if you have a background in both computer science and marketing or business, you'll be an in-demand hire.

Next Up: After a few years, you could advance in the ranks to become a senior level engineer after becoming faster and more skilled at solving increasingly complex software solutions that involve more moving parts. But recruiters emphasize that ambitious and hardworking entry level hires can make an impact and advance quickly if they show the talent and the drive to continue taking on more responsibilities. An engineer with a knack for management might advance to become a project manager, directing groups of engineers and programmers. But if you prefer the technical side of the coin, you'd advance to become a senior developer, and then a team lead, in which you're advising the team of developers.

Phase Three: Within a few years, you might become an architect, in which you are mapping out and testing the kinds of technologies that will best accomplish your goal, and which requires a bigger picture view of the business and its objectives.

Task 5.

Task 6.

Job advertisement

Exercise1. Look at these job advertisements. Make notes on each advertisement specifying the title of the post, the type of the company, the responsibilities described, the type of person required, the business skills required, the pay and benefits.

1. A market leader in technology consultancy, requires an experienced JAVASCRIPT FRONTEND DEVELOPER to develop responsive designs for exciting new projects.
The successful candidate will possess good overall Frontend and WEb Development experience, and have utilised the latest Javascript MVC frameworks such as Angular.js, Backbone.js and Ember.js.
Responsibilities
Adding functionality to Front End UX/UI applications
Ensuring that applications work efficiently and effectively across browsers and devices
Working directly with UX/UI team members who are responsible for wireframes and information architecture
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define, design, and deliver creative digital solutions
Test both the application code and usability features
Work on bug fixing and improving application performance
Continuously discover, evaluate, and implement new technologies
Skills & Experience
4+ years relevant software development experience building web applications
Expert in designing and building robust, modular, well-abstracted and maintainable JavaScript
Solid JavaScript experience ideally with one or more MVC frameworks (e.g. Angular.js, Backbone.js, Ember.js) and building AJAX based responsive web applications
Proven experience of utilising APIs to achieve impactful data visualisation and user experience
Have previously used JavaScript build tools
Strong knowledge of HTML and CSS (HTML5 and CSS3 preferred)

Assistant to Finance Director

Foxtree is an IT company supplying software to the engineering sector. The ideal candidate will be both flexible and ambitious with a proven track record in preparing budgets, preferably in the IT industry. Although you will report to the Finance Director, you will be also responsible for assisting the Chief Executive when she travels abroad. An excellent remuneration package is available including profit-related bonus, company car, and negotiable salary. If you are looking for a challenging career with excellent prospects for rapid career progress, send your full CV to:

3. Web Designer
Creative Niche - Toronto, ON

Our client, located in Toronto is currently seeking a Web Designer to join their team. This position reports directly into the Manager of Creative, Digital. The function of this role will be to create professional online/mobile designs that will help support and promote our client’s brands. Accountabilities/ Responsibilities

Design graphics and page layouts for ongoing site and content updates
Ad media design and production
Provide production support on medium and large-scale projects
Maintain and adhere to site design standards and content templates
Deliver solutions within existing constraints and limitations
Work collaboratively with project teams to meet business goals
Accountable for accuracy, project deadlines, and contributing to project completion
Convey knowledge of current web trends, user experience and the project process
Support and exhibit departmental core values; positive, flexible, enthusiastic and professional

Required Skills, Experience and Qualifications:

Related post-secondary education or commensurate experience
3 - 4+ years of relevant experience in a busy, demanding studio environment
Design portfolio that clearly demonstrates required skills and experience
Excellent knowledge of current web trends, image optimization and production best practices
Excellent skills in design, layout and typography
Proficiency using industry standard tools including; Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign Dreamweaver, and Flash as well as Adobe Acrobat.
Beneficial but not mandatory to be proficient in front-end web production using HTML and CSS
Highly organized and accountable self-starter who is able to juggle multiple priorities
Strong attention to detail and time management
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills

We appreciate your interest but due to time constraints we can only contact candidates in consideration. Creative Niche is dedicated to matching outstanding communication, design and interactive professionals with the right companies. If you are not contacted for the current role(s) for which you have applied, please be confident that your application will be electronically filed for future searches.

*****************************************************************************

Task 7.

An application form

An application form usually contains: personal details, academic and professional background, citizenship or permanent residence status, letters from two referees, etc. Application forms vary in details since they are developed for specific reasons (e.g. to continue studies abroad, to get a grant, to apply for a job).

III. JOB INTERVIEW

Task 8.

Exercise 1. Discussion.

a) Have you ever had an interview? What was it for? How did you feel? What was the result?

b) Rank the following questions in order of difficulty (1=most difficult).

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

How would your colleagues/friends describe you?

Why do you want the job?

Would you ever lie to get what you want?

Exercise2. Read the dialogue. Then make a list of dos and don’ts for interviewees.

Peter: Before going to the interview try to find out information about the company you would like to get into. This will help you to make a better impression. There are also some basic rules common to most interviews.

Jack: Could you give me some examples?

P.: When greeting the representative of the company, wait until he moves to shake hands. You should also wait until he offers you a seat.

J.: But what about usual questions people are asked in an interview?

P.: The most common questions are, for instance: Why do you feel qualified for the job? Do you enjoy working with others? Are you willing to work overtime? Tell me about your experience. What are your long-term career goals?

J.: Are there any surprise questions?

P.: Employers often use ‘killer questions’ or ‘shock tactics’, such as these: ‘We have employed people from your university, and they haven’t been good. Can you tell us why you think you’d do better?’ You may anticipate such questions: Why should I hire you? What are your three greatest strengths for this job?

J.: And how can you act in a situation like this?

B.: Stay calm, take a few deep breaths and buy some time, e.g. ‘Actually, that’s interesting. I haven’t thought about it, but maybe I’d …’ By surprising you with an original or difficult question, interviewers want an honest reaction and an unplanned response. They also want to see candidates think through their responses calmly.

J.: I see. Are there any topics that should be avoided?

P.: Yes, certainly. Avoid criticizing your former employers or fellow workers. Don’t discuss your personal, domestic or financial problems unless you are asked about them.

J.: Can I ask about the salary?

P.: Absolutely. You can state the salary you want, but not until the employer has introduced the subject.

J.: Thank you very much for all this valuable information.

P.: One more thing. It would be polite to send a thank-you letter after the interview. It will remind of you and may help to get a job, finally. And remember, you never get a second chance. Interviewers only give you a short time to show who you are. Good luck.

Look through the following questions and be ready to answer them:

Task 9.

What’s a Thank-You Letter?

It is a part of business etiquette to send thank-you letters. A thank-you letter can help you stand out from the other candidates. A thank-you letter should be sent before the hiring decision has been made, so it is best to mail it as soon as possible after the interview.

By sending a thank-you letter, you give the employer a chance to remember you, to distinguish you from other candidates, to remember your specifics. It is your opportunity to say any important information you didn’t discuss during the interview.

There are several situations that require a thank-you letter after an employment interview: when someone gives you job search assistance and after a company visit or other career exploration activity.

Thank-You Letter Layout

(1) Your address

(not your name)

(2) Date

(3) Name and address

you are writing to

(4) Greeting

(5) Fist paragraph: Thank the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you. Mention the date. Remind of the position for which you were interviewed.

(6) second paragraph: Restate your interest in the position. Emphasize your strengths, experiences, skills, accomplishments and slant them from the point of view of your employer.

(7) Third paragraph: Once again, thank the employer for the time and consideration. Close with a suggestion for further action, or say that you will give a phone call in a few days. Provide your phone number and the hours you can be reached.

(8) Closing

Signature

Task 10.

Task 11.

Additional reading

Career of engineer

If you want to have a career in engineering, you have two options from which to choose. You can be an engineer or an engineering technician. Each of these has different educational and licensing requirements, as well as different duties and salaries. See the chart below for a quick look at the differences between these two career choices. Both engineers and engineering technicians can also choose from a variety of specialties which are discussed in the individual career profiles.

Engineers apply the theories and principles of science and mathematics in researching and developing solutions to technical problems. To become an engineer one must earn a bachelor's degree in engineering. Some jobs are available for those who have earned a bachelor's degree in physical science or mathematics. Engineers who offer their services directly to the public must be licensed. Engineers held 1.6 million jobs in 2008. The highest number of these jobs were in civil engineering (278,400), mechanical engineering (238,700), industrial engineering (214,800), electrical engineering (157,800) and electronic engineering, not including computer engineering (143,700).

Educational Requirements for Engineers:

To get an entry-level engineering job, one usually needs a bachelor's degree in engineering. Sometimes a bachelor's degree in physical science or mathematics may suffice, especially in high-demand specialties. Generally engineering students specialize in a particular branch of engineering but may eventually work in a related branch.

How Do Engineers Advance?

As entry level engineers gain experience and knowledge, they may work more independently, making decisions, developing designs, and solving problems. With further experience, engineers may become technical specialists or supervisors over a staff or team of engineers or technicians. Eventually, they may become engineering managers, or may move into other managerial or sales jobs.

Job Outlook for Engineers:

In general, engineering employment is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2018, although outlook will vary by branch.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that biomedical, environmental and civil engineering will experience much faster than average growth, while employment in petroleum engineering, industrial engineering and geological and mining engineering will grow at a faster than average rate.

Other branches will grow either as fast as the average or slower than the average for all occupations, or will see a decline in employment.

Engineering Technician

Engineering technicians often assist engineers and scientists, using science, engineering and mathematical principles to solve technical problems in research and development, manufacturing, sales, construction, inspection, and maintenance. The work of engineering technicians is more application oriented and more limited in scope than that of engineers. To become an engineering technician one must generally earn an associate degree in engineering technology. Engineering technicians held 497,300 jobs in 2008. There were 164,000 electrical and electronic engineering technicians, 91,700 civil engineering technicians, 72,600 industrial engineering technicians, 46,100 mechanical engineering technicians, 21,200 environmental engineering technicians, 16,400 electro-mechanical technicians, and 8,700 aerospace engineering and operations technicians.

Educational Requirements for Engineering Technicians:

Those who want to work as engineering technicians should have at least an associate degree in engineering technology, although some employers will hire candidates who don't have formal training. Those who plan to become engineering technicians can expect to take courses in college algebra and trigonometry and basic science. Other coursework depends on specialty. For example, those who want to become electrical engineering technicians will take classes in electrical circuits, microprocessors and digital electronics.

Advancement for Engineering Technicians:

Engineering technicians initially work under the supervision of more experienced technicians, technologists, engineers or scientists. As they gain experience they are given more difficult assignments with limited supervision. Eventually they may become supervisors.

Job Outlook for Engineering Technicians:

Employment of engineering technicians, across all disciplines, is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through 2018. The outlook, however, will vary by specialty. For example, job growth for environmental engineering technicians is projected to be faster, through 2018, than it will be for other occupations requiring post-secondary training or an associate degree. Civil engineering technicians will also see an increase in employment as it grows faster than the average for all occupations. Employment of electro-mechanical engineering technicians will decline.

Check your comprehension

~ Do engineers usually assist engineer technicians?

~ What are job predictions for engineers and engineer technicians?