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ENGLISH FOR TECHNICAL PURPOSES 5 A5003
UNIT 1
Understanding Job Advertisements
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UNIT 1
Understanding Job Advertisements GENERAL AIM You should be able to skim and scan job advertisements in English Language newspapers and extract relevant information for job application.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES At the end of the unit, you should be able to: 1. read and understand the details of job advertisements 2. match job requirements with their qualifications, experience and interest 3. gather information pertaining to the background of companies such as their specializations, locations etc. 4. search web sites to locate and extract information
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BEFORE YOU READ Where would you find job advertisements? What would you expect to find in a job advertisement?
Name of company
Job Advertisement
Post(s) advertised
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Task 1.1
Reading and Understanding
GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY BHD
The Place To Be Global Technology, a well-diversified public-listed conglomerate with core business activities in construction, Information Technology, project management and manufacturing engineering equipment in Malaysia, is poised for further expansion. Global Technology's dramatic growth in Malaysia has prompted the search for high calibre personnel with the motivation to match the precision and drive of the company's existing team of professionals. Specifically, we require :
SALES ENGINEERS The job involves coordinating marketing information and activities and implementing sales and promotions programmes. It also includes planning and forecasting, monitoring and evaluating strategies.
Requirements: * Degree or Diploma in Computer Technology or Electronic Engineering * 2 years of relevant experience backed by a proven sales record in computer hardware or office automation equipment * Excellent interpersonal and communication skills * Aggressive, outgoing, innovative and flexible * Possess a valid driving licence and must be prepared to travel * Those who can speak Japanese will have an added advantage
SITE SUPERVISORS The job involves working with consultants on cost effectiveness design, preparation of construction time schedule, budgeting, resources allocation, monitoring work progress and site safety.
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Requirements: * Candidates should possess a Diploma in Building/Civil Engineering * At least one year’s experience in site supervision or construction * Good interpersonal skills and ability to work independently
MECHANICAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANTS The job involves overseeing the operations and maintenance of all production equipment and facilities. Candidates are also required to plan and execute an effective preventive maintenance system.
Requirements: * Degree/Diploma in Mechanical Engineering * Preferably some years of experience in a manufacturing environment * Fresh graduates are also encouraged to apply
SALES ASSISTANTS Minimum qualification : a Diploma in any discipline. Candidates should be able to assist marketing executives implement marketing and sales plans. They should also know how to monitor and reinforce sales activities. We offer an attractive remuneration package which will commensurate with your qualifications and experience, as well as excellent career advancement opportunities. Interested candidates should apply giving a detailed resume, expected salary, contact telephone number and a recent passport-sized photograph (n.r.) before 15 December 2001 to :THE PERSONNEL MANAGER HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT P.O. BOX 7777 50879 KUALA LUMPUR All applications will be treated with strictest confidence. Only short-listed candidates will be notified.
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1. Match the phrases on the left column with the phrases on the right which have the same meaning: 1) well-diversified public-listed conglomerate
a) top achievers
2) poised for further expansion
b) a big firm which appears on the stock market and has business interests in different areas
3) high calibre personnel
c) able to get promotions
4) career advancement opportunities
d) depend on
5) commensurate with
e) ready to develop its business
6) discipline
f) All applicants must be able to communicate confidently.
7) All applications will be treated with strictest confidence
g) better than h) field i) good behavior j) people of high status k) We will not let other people know about your application.
2. Fill in the blanks in the following sentences with suitable words from the text. The first letter has been given. You may have to change the word form; e.g. from ‘planning’ to ‘plan’. a. The supervisor needs to m__________ the work done by the technicians. b. The sales engineer f__________ that sales for computers will be doubled next year. c. The minister asked the managers to come up with i_________ ideas to increase productivity. d. We need to carry out regular maintenance to p_________ breakdowns. e. The measurement has to be p________ or else the product will not meet the required specification. 3. Decide whether the following sentences are true or false. State your reason. a. The main objective of the first paragraph is to give some background information about the company.
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b. A personnel manager looks after the personal affairs of the manager. c. All applicants will be called for an interview. d. If you have a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering you are also qualified to apply for the post of Sales Assistant. e. To qualify for the post of Sales Engineer, the applicant must be able to speak Japanese 4. Do you think you are qualified to apply for any of the above posts? Why ?
Task 1.2
Bring different newspapers to class. Divide yourselves in groups of 4 and discuss the following: • Which newspaper has the most job advertisements? The least? • Where are job advertisements located in a newspaper? • Which days of the week are most job advertisements found? Also look for: • Jobs which you are qualified to apply for. • Jobs which offer a high pay. • Jobs which are in demand.
Looking for a job on the Internet
Do you know of any Web Sites which carry job advertisements? If you don’t, try this site – www.jobstreet.com In your groups, download examples of job advertisements from the Internet and bring them to class. If you know of any other Web Sites which carry information about job vacancies, share them with others in the class. What’s the difference between Internet job advertisements and newspaper job advertisements?
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LANGUAGE INPUT Adjectives In the advertisement in Task 1.1, you’ll find the words ‘aggressive’, ‘outgoing’, ‘innovative’ and ‘flexible’. These words are adjectives which can be used to describe personal qualities. They are usually used before nouns to tell us more about that noun. For example: We are looking for a young, dynamic and creative graphic designer. (‘young’, ‘dynamic’ and ‘creative’ are all adjectives used to give us more information about ‘graphic designer’) These adjectives will be very useful when you write your letter of application or curriculum vitae/resume. For example, you can say in your letter of application: Being the Editor of the English Language Club Newsletter requires an innovative and flexible mind. or Three years as the President of the Students’ Council has made me an independent, analytical and responsible person.
Task 1.3
Now try to look through the newspapers and see if you can find the words/expressions to fill in the following tables: Adjectives describing personal qualities: independent responsible analytical
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LANGUAGE INPUT Job advertisements also carry expressions describing skills, abilities, qualifications and benefits. These are not necessarily adjectives. They are often noun phrases. For example, ‘leadership qualities’ is a noun phrase because both words are nouns. More examples: Excellent Interpersonal Skills
Communicative Skills
Team Player
Good Analytical Ability
Task 1.4
Now try to look through the newspapers and see if you can find the words/expressions to fill in the following tables: Expressions describing skills/abilities/qualifications: leadership qualities
conflict resolution skills
Expressions describing remuneration and benefits: fringe benefits five-day-week
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Task 1.5
Now try this crossword puzzle based on words found in job advertisements. The clues are given on the next page. F6 L1 O7 C3
M4
A2 P8
S9
S5
F10
F12 D11
C13
B14
S15
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CLUES Down 1. The ideal candidate should be PC …………….. 4. The Technical Manager ………….his staff by sending them for a course. 6. Candidates should be .................... in English and Bahasa Melayu. 7. You should be a dynamic team player, result-...................... and able to work independently. 9. A ....................... command of spoken and written English will be an added advantage. 12. The applicant should be .................... with engineering and CAD software.
Across 2. Good ..........................., strategic planning and presentation skills are essential. 3. Successful candidates will be offered an attractive remuneration package, .............................. with qualifications and experience. 5. We need candidates who are business ........................ . 8. A .......................... personality with a good command of English and Bahasa Melayu, both spoken and written is what we are looking for. 10. Our ...................... benefits are among the best in the industry and include car and housing loans. 11. The bank is seeking ....................., ambitious and highly motivated individuals who are keen to be part of our dynamic team. 13. We need people who are resourceful, innovative and ....................... to our vision. 14. We are looking for a candidate who is ............................. in both English and Bahasa Melayu. 15. We seek a .........................., prepared to work independently.
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Expressions which are used in job descriptions Note that these often begin with an imperative – i.e. a verb which is in its base form. Look at the examples below. Can you find some more? Pay special attention to the ones which are related to your field of study, they will be very useful when you write your curriculum vitae/resume. Implement sales and promotion programmes Support, develop, and maintain application software for administrative functions Assist in planning and implementing a commercial and industrial water treatment programme
When you write about your work experience in your resume, you may present your job description either in the simple past tense (e.g. implemented .....) or the present participle form (e.g. implementing ............).
Task 1.6
Change the sentences that you have written above into the Simple Past tense form and the Present Participle form as shown in the examples in the box below. Simple Past tense form: Supported, developed, and maintained application software for administrative functions
Present Participle form: Supporting, developing, and maintaining application software for administrative functions
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SELF-TEST
A. Read the job advertisement below and answer the questions which follow:
Sime Derby (M) Bhd Creating Your Future JOB TITLE: Mechanical Equipment Specialist DEPARTMENT: Finance and Administrative Services (Fleet) ACCOUNTABILITY: Reports to Equipment Manager JOB DESCRIPTION: Perform routine and emergency maintenance on all vehicles and equipment in the Finance and Administrative Services fleet. PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Will test tow trucks, sedans, lorries, steam rollers, buses, garbage compactors and emergency equipment to determine if they are working properly. Will repair and maintain heavy equipment such as tow trucks, steam rollers, garbage compactors and buses. Will also disassemble, repair, and/or replace parts and reassemble air brake systems, transmission, hydraulic/pneumatic systems and cooling systems. Will perform engine tune-ups, adjust valves, overhaul or replace carburetors on gas and diesel engines, starters and pumps. QUALIFICATIONS: A Certificate/Diploma in mechanical engineering from an accredited institution of learning plus two (2) years in general automotive mechanical repairs in a major repair shop. Hydraulic experience is an added advantage. Must also have a class "B" and "D" driver’s licence. Must be able to obtain a lorry license within ninety (90) days of employment. REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Sound knowledge of several different types of automotive systems and heavy equipment. WORKING CONDITIONS: Physical requirements of this job are heavy. Tasks involve bending, walking, lifting and carrying or using a force equal to fifty pounds or more. Remuneration will commensurate ___(see question 6)___ qualifications and experience. Interested candidates should fax their resume and cover letter to 05-98426763 by 30 March 2001. Only short-listed candidates will be notified.
A5003/Unit 1 14 __________________________________________________________________________________ _ 1. The Mechanical Equipment Specialist will need to be able to do all of the following
A. B. C. D. 2.
A. B. C. D.
EXCEPT: replacing machine parts trouble-shooting engine problems taking out engine parts and putting them back again assisting in the financing of various types of vehicles The Mechanical Equipment Specialist needs to have the following qualifications and skills EXCEPT: good physical fitness and strength good knowledge of automotives and engines experience in repairing various types of vehicles at least some knowledge of finance and administration
3. Which of the following statements is FALSE? A. Not every applicant will be called for an interview. B. The successful candidate must have hydraulic experience. C. The salary will depend on the candidate’s qualifications and experience. D. The successful candidate’s immediate superior will be the Equipment Manager 4. Which of the following words/phrases can be used to replace the word ‘accredited’? A. local B. technical C. recognised D. high standard 5. The word ‘sound’ means A. tuneful B. noisy C. acostics
D. good
6. Which of the following words best fit the blank in the last paragraph? A. by B. with C. together D. upon B. Lexical Phrases The following words are all taken from job advertisements in the newspapers. Put all the words which are ‘good friends’ together. The first one has been done for you. highly good command literate minimum
pleasant result
fringe relevant interpersonal ability
computer motivated
with skills
commensurate team
personality of
oriented to
experience player
benefits supervision
1. commensurate with
5. .......................................
9. .......................................
2. .......................................
6. .......................................
10. .....................................
3. .......................................
7. .......................................
11. .....................................
4. .......................................
8. .......................................
12. .....................................
SELF-TEST – ANSWERS
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1.
D
2.
D
3.
B
4.
C
5.
D
6.
B
Lexical Phrases 1.
commensurate with
2.
fringe benefits
3.
interpersonal skills
4.
good command of
5.
computer literate
6.
pleasant personality
7.
team player
8.
highly motivated
9.
minimum supervision
10.
result-oriented
11.
ability to
12.
relevant experience
How well did you do in the self-test? You have just completed 18 questions. Use the following guide to see how well you have understood the unit: More than 15 correct –
Well done!
12 – 14 correct –
Good! You have understood most of the unit. Still, you should try to find out why you got the answers wrong.
9 – 11 correct –
You should revise the areas which you did not do well.
Fewer than 9 correct –
Well, you should talk to your lecturer about the problems you face in understanding the unit.
