Lesson 6

The Job Application Process, the Perfect CV and Interview Skills

Presented by:

Mark Kennelly Course Educator

B.Sc. (Hons.)

Diploma in English for Business – Part I

Today’s Lesson

You will explore the job application process

You will learn how to create the perfect CV

You will develop your interview skills

You will be exposed to Present and Past Participles

You will acquire more Business English terminology and be exposed to pronunciation

Summary

Next Steps

Q & A

The Job Application Process

The Job Application Process

Tips for the Job Application Process

• Be well-prepared

• Read the job specification to be familiar with the skills and experience required

• Be clear about why you want the job, what you can offer and what makes you stand out

• Make your application unique – essentially sell yourself and your skills set

• Research the organisation

• Give yourself time to complete the process

• Apply before the deadline

• Read the job application process carefully and follow the instructions

• Write draft answers before you start filling in/out the form

• Be careful with your English usage, grammar and punctuation

• Your answers should be relevant, interesting and personal

• Spell check and proofread your application

• Check over everything you submit for the job application process

• Keep a copy of your sent application

Tips for the Job Application Process

New Terminology

• to stand out = to be unique• your skills set = the skills you possess• deadline = closing date• specification = description• submit = send• draft = first version• to fill in/out = to complete• English usage = use of the English language• applicable = relevant• relevant = useful• to check over something = to revise it for potential mistakes• to proofread = to check over

• Proofread your application

• Research the company that you are applying to

• Make your application stand out or unique – essentially sell yourself

• Keep a copy of your application

Make your application stand out or unique – essentially sell yourself

Which of these is the most important to consider for the job application process?

Creating the Perfect CV

Creating the Perfect CV

Tips for Creating the Perfect CV

• Keep your CV structure simple• Use clear titles and content• The first page of a CV must grab the reader’s attention• Ensure all key information is on the first page • Make sure your content is focused and mirrors the job description,

i.e. tailor your CV to fit the position• Identify key achievements to include in your CV content to make it stand out• Keep the length of your CV short

• Avoid first person pronouns, e.g. ‘I’e.g. ‘I managed a team of four staff’ becomes ‘Managed four staff’

• Use bullet points • Use clear English and include buzzwords, i.e. identify and use the

language employed in the job description• Use action verbs and words to highlight the content, e.g. managed,

organised, etc.• Maintain consistency throughout your CV, including the language

(grammar, spelling, punctuation), font styles and CV formatting

Tips for Creating the Perfect CV

New Terminology

• layout = structure/format• a title = a heading• to grab the reader’s attention = to engage the reader• to make sure = to be certain• to mirror = to reflect • to tailor = to fit/suit• to stand out = to be noticed, to be one of the best, to be distinctive• to identify = to recognise• key achievements = main successes

New Terminology

• staff = employees • buzzwords = the keywords relating to a topic or subject• to use the language employed = to copy the language used• to highlight the content = to emphasise• maintain consistency throughout your CV = use the same style/format/etc. in all of

your CV• the font styles = style and size of writing• to format = to structure/to arrange

• Including important information about your education, professional experience and skills

• Including your life story

• Using clear language and be concise

• Tailoring your CV to fit the role

Including your life story

Which of these aspects is not important to consider for creating the Perfect CV?

CV Template

CV Template

CV Template

John O’Reilly[Insert address][Insert phone number][Insert email address]_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

EDUCATION

Year [Insert name of university] [Insert name of degree (grade)]

Subjects: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Year [Insert name of institution] [Insert name of degree/certificate/etc. (grade)]…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

I am a motivated individual, who thrives both working alone and as part of a team. I have a strong attention to detail and will always give 100% when I put my mind to something.

CV Template

RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE

Insert dates Name of Company [Insert job position or role]

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Insert dates Name of Company [Insert job position or role]

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Insert dates Name of Company [Insert job position or role]

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Managed a team of 4 sales staffDesigned and operated a new marketing planUpgraded the mailing system used for the whole office

CV TemplateKEY SKILLS

Computer skills:

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Languages:

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Other skills:

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

INTERESTS & ACHIEVEMENTS

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

References available on request

Possess a full ECDLFully competent in the use of Adobe Programmes (Photoshop, Lightroom, InDesign, etc.)Proficient in the use of Java and C++

Fluent in English and ArabicGood conversational French

Strong interpersonal skillsExcellent presentation skillsNo problem speaking in public or to a group

• Your key educational achievements

• Basic personal information, such as your contact number and email address

• Every single detail about your employment history

• Your key achievements

Every single detail about your employment history

Which of these should you not include on your CV?

Past Participles for Description

Past Participles for Description

When and why do we use it?

You can use action verbs for description and you can drop the subject (I, you…)

Form:

For regular verbs, add ‘-ed’, learn the irregular verbs

Examples:

You could use the following on your CV to describe your work experience

organised, managed, increased, spent, transformed, directed, consulted, performed, implemented

e.g.• managed a team of 10 people• organised fundraising events

Which of these is not a Past Participle?

• organised

• put

• increasing

• decreased

• spent

• drove

• performed

increasing

Interview Skills

Interview Skills

• Be prepared• Research the role and company• Dress appropriately (formal clothing)• Try to be natural and show your personality• Be positive and show enthusiasm• Don’t talk too much• Use appropriate and formal language• Don’t tell lies• Build rapport with the interviewer• Don’t be afraid to smile

Interview Skills

• Tell me about yourself. How would you describe yourself? What do you do in your spare time?

• What do you consider to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

• What unique qualities or abilities could you bring to this job?

• Are you a team player? Describe a time when you worked on a team project.

• How do you react to criticism?

• Why should we hire you? Why do you think you’re the right person for this job?

• Why do you want to work for us? Why have you applied for this particular position?

Typical Interview Questions

Typical Interview Questions

• What do you know about our organisation? What interests you about our company?

• What do you know about this role?

• What is your greatest achievement to date?

• Why have you chosen this career?

• What’s the most difficult situation you have ever faced in a job?

• How do you work under pressure? Give an example of how you dealt with it?

• Why do you wish to leave your current position?

Typical Interview Questions

• Why did you choose your university and course of study?

• What will you have hoped to achieve in the first 12 months?

• Where do you see yourself in five years?

• What do you see as the next step in your career?

• What salary are you expecting?

• Do have you any questions for us? Ask about the company, the job and

training and career progression.

New Terminology

• spare time = free time

• fellow workers = colleagues

• greatest strengths = best qualities and skills

• weaknesses = worst characteristics and skills

• unique qualities = special characteristics

• abilities = skills

• to react to criticism = to deal with negative feedback

• to hire you = to give you the job

• an organisation = a company/a firm

• a role = a job/a position/employment

• an achievement = a success

• to date = until now

New Terminology

• your career = your future in your area or field

• to face something = to deal with a difficult situation/problem/challenge

• afterwards = later

• to be under pressure = to be in a stressful situation

• to deal with something = to handle/resolve something

• current position = your job now

• to achieve = to succeed

• Where do you see yourself in 5 years? = Where you picture yourself in 5 years

• to expect = to hope for

• career progression = career development

Which of these is not a typical interview question?

• Why have you chosen this career?

• How do you work under pressure? Give an example of how you dealt with it?

• Where do you see yourself in five years?

• What do you consider to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

• Are you married or single?

• Are you a team player? Describe a time when you worked on a team project.

Are you married or single?

Present Participles as Subjects

Present Participles as Subjects

Can be used as a noun and becomes the subject of the sentence

Form:

Add ‘-ing’ to base form of the verb

Examples:

organising, increasing, spending, working, transforming, implementing, directing, consulting, performing, managing

• Organising your time efficiently will make you a more productive worker.

• Working hard will help you earn more money.

When and why do we use it?

Which of these is a Present Participle?

• organised

• increased

• increasing

• decreased

• spent

• directed

• performed

increasing