What are your strengths and what are your weaknesses? Which job could suit to your personality? What do you have to consider for a job application and how can you prepare for a job interview?

1. ___________________________________________________________________________
JOB APPLICATION
WORKSHOP
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Additional material
and worksheets

2. Analysis of strengths / weaknesses
Personal traits and skills
low degree average high degree
analytical thinking
communicational skills
creativity
fantasy
flexibility
helpfulness
initiative of one’s own
language skills
logical thinking
memory
organisational skills
patience
planning skills
power of concentration
punctuality
readiness to learn
readiness to learn in a team
reliability
self-assurance
self-control

3. self-criticism
self-discipline
sense of responsibility
skills for solving problems
social engagement
technical knowledge
tolerance
willingness to compromise

4. Evaluation
MY BIGGEST STRENGTHS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
MY BIGGEST WEAKNESSES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

5. Personality profile
Hobbies and free time activities Favourite subjects at school
Personal competences and skills Achievements for my working career

6. Different jobs
Sector Possible jobs
Technology Engineer:
electrical engineer, electronics engineer, telecommunications
engineer, mechanical engineer, chemical engineer,
Engineering technician:
electrical engineering technician, electronics engineering
technician,
telecommunications engineering technician, mechanical
engineering technician, chemical engineering technician, car
mechanic
Computing:
computer programmer, computer technician,
Science:
chemist, chemical science technician, physical science technician
Health medical doctor, dentist, veterinarian, pharmacist,
medical assistant, dental assistant, pharmaceutical assistant, nurse
Education teaching professional for
pre-primary education, primary education, secondary education,
special needs education, teacher
Office
communication,
business, finance
administration
administrative department manager, sales department manager,
advertising department manager, economist, lawyer, travel agent,
secretary, bank clerk, receptionist, translator, office management
assistant, customer adviser
Social affairs social work professional, social worker, child-care worker, childcare
assistant,
police officer, detective, firefighter
Public relations journalist, radio/TV presenter, film director, actor, musician, dancer,
singer, photographer
Trade and
handicraft
cook, waiter, hairdresser, gardener, builder, carpenter, plumber,
building electrician, painter, butcher, baker, tailor, shop assistant,
make-up artist, fitness instructor

7. A letter of application
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Complete this covering letter with the following words.
application – apply – Dear – details – enclose – experience – hearing –
improve – interesting – organized – sincerely – skills
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Job _______________________________: full-time retail assistant
______________________ Mr. Howard
I am writing to _________________________ for the position of full-time retail
assistant which I saw advertised on the internet. I have just completed vocational
school and I am looking for a job. I would like to work in Great Britain to gain
_______________________________ of working in the country. Although, my
English is very good, I would like to ______________________________ it by using
it at work every day. I find the job with Gourmet International very
_________________________as I am interested in the food retail trade. I developed
this interest whilst working part-time as a sales assistant at our local organic food
shop while I was still at school. I am sure that I can offer you the right
_______________________________ and personal qualities for the job. I like
working with other people and feel that I am a good communicator. I am also
well ______________________________ and have experience of working on my

8. self-criticism
self-discipline
sense of responsibility
skills for solving problems
social engagement
technical knowledge
tolerance
willingness to compromise

9. Rules for writing CVs
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1. A CV should be no longer than two pages and has around five sections.
2. The first section is called ‘Personal Information’.
Here you give information about yourself like the full name, your date of birth,
your address and your nationality.
3. The second section is called ‘Education and Training’.
Here you list which schools you went to and what qualifications you have.
You start with your last school and then work backwards.
4. The next section is ‘Work Experience’.
Here you list all the jobs you have had, with which companies and when.
Again, you start with your last job.
5. The next section is called ‘Personal Skills and competences’.
Here you list your language skills, computer skills, organizational skills, special
activities or any other experience you got.
6. Finally, you have ‘Hobbies and Interests’.
This is where you tell the company what you do in your spare time. It should be
short. Companies like to know what sort of person you are outside of work.
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10. Preparing for an interview I
____________________________________________
1. What will you wear?
Different styles of clothes are appropriate for different situations.
Have you found out what will be expected of you?
Suit? Casual? Better overdressed than underdressed.
Will the company give you a uniform?
Will the company give you protective clothing?
Make sure you are not the odd one out.
2. What do you need to take?
Directions to the workplace / map / bus timetable
Letter with instructions from the interviewer
Name of person you are to report to on arrival
Money for bus fares, lunch, etc.
3. What time will you get up?
Get a good night’s sleep. Go to bed early and RELAX!
Set your alarm clock – make sure that you have enough time for a good breakfast.
4. How long will it take to get there?
Make sure that you have enough time for your journey so that you can get to the
Interview on time. You might need extra travel time to allow for weather conditions,
roadwork etc.
5. What will you do when you are there?
When you are there, go straight in and ask for the person you have been told to
report to.
flickr.com / Stefano Valle

11. Preparing for an interview II
____________________________________________
Listen to the podcast and choose the correct answer.
1. Stage one of an interview is…
O the preparation of the candidate
O finding the location of the interview
O greetings and introduction
2. When you walk into the room you should …
O sit down straight away
O look at the interviewer and shake hands
O look at the room carefully
3. Small talk at the beginning of the interview might be about …
O what sort of work your mother does
O where you went on holiday when you were a child
O where you live and what are your hobbies
4. The interviewer will ask you about …
O your strengths and weaknesses
O your father’s health problems
O your sister’s job
5. If you don’t understand a question …
O ask the interviewer to explain what he/she means
O say something and hope it is the right answer
O leave the room, think about the question, then go back
6. Finding out information about the company means …
O information about the interviewer’s job
O information about the salary of the employees
O information about the developments of the company

12. 7. In order to find the information, you should …
O contact your headmaster
O look at the homepage of the company
O look into your Facebook account
8. At the end of the interview you have the chance to ask questions about …
O the job itself
O the free time activity of the interviewer
O other candidates for the job

13. Evaluation
MY BIGGEST STRENGTHS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
MY BIGGEST WEAKNESSES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

14. Typical questions in a job interview
1. Why would you like to work for us?
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2. What do you know about our company?
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3. What is your greatest strength?
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4. What is your greatest weakness?
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15. 5. What are your goals for the future?
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6. What do you think about working on a team?
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