Teaching Module

1. Bilingualer Fachunterricht an berufsbildenden SchulenBerufsfeld: Wirtschaft und VerwaltungBerufe: alle The Application

2. ACTION PROGRAMME OF THE EUROPEAN UNION LEONARDO DA VINCI –PROJECT PROJECT No.: 2002 LA 112 628 BILVOC LANGUAGE COMPETENCE THROUGH BILINGUAL TEACHING AT VOCATIONAL COLLEGES Teaching Module Date of production: January 2004 Level of Language Skills: Threshold/ Vantage (B1/B2) Subject: Business English Follow-Ups: None Students should know all the parts of an application. They should be able to write their own application and therefore they have to know the basic criteria for an application form and the necessary contents. Topic: Business communication Objectives: • Students should be able to answer the following questions: • - What steps should I take in order to get an internship abroad? • Which elements does a full application have? • What can I do in order to prepare for a job interview? Title: The Application Benefits: Target Group: Students doing an apprenticeship at vocational schools Authors: Prior Knowledge: Knowledge of general business vocabulary Students of the class SFA01 as well as Ms Hilpert, Mrs Bilsing and Mr Pfeifer

3. THE APPLICATION

4. Structure How to Write it Golden Rules Specimen Letter Example Application Process Curriculum Vitae Job Quiz The Application Preparation for the Job Interview Internship Vocabulary

5. I want to work abroad! What is the first step I should take? Before you start searching for a new job abroad, consider an international assignment with the company you work for now, if that is possible. If there are no opportunities within your company, your first step might be to find a new job with an international firm in your home country. Make clear that you are interested in a position abroad. However, you should stay within your own field of work. Show the new company what skills you have!!!

6. Golden Rules For a Curriculum Vitae Write your CV with the help of a word processor. It makes a better impression. You should not change your CV for each job you apply for. Never use more than two sides of A4 paper. Selectors do not have the time to look through several pages and your application could finally land in the garbage bin. Always use good quality paper - preferably white. Use good spacing between sections. Employers are used to clearly laid out paragraphs.  

7. Curriculum Vitae - structure • Personal Details • Job Objectives/ Job Targets • Work Experience • Achievements • Education and Qualifications • Additional Skills • Hobbies/ Interests • References • The UK Curriculum Vitae does not list any information about the applicant’s family, e.g. parents, children etc. • It is structured in different paragraphs, which usually have a main headline. (Examples of possible headlines can be seen above.) • You should never use more than two sides of A4 paper.

8. Stefanie Jordan, 4 Arthur Rd, Trentham TR4 RH1, Tel. +44-3452-344378 C U R R I C U L U M V I T A E Personal Details: Name: Stefanie Jordan Date of Birth: 14 January 1979 Place of Birth: London Nationality: British Marital Status: Single Religion: Protestant Home Address: 4 Arthur Rd Trentham TR 4 RH 1 Telephone: +44-3452-344378 E-mail: Stefanie.Jordan@hotmail.uk Education and Qualifications: 2001 – summer 2003 BTEC course Trentham Technical College 1999 – 2001 Work as a cashier at Tesco Trentham 1996 – 1999 Apprenticeship as an office clerk at Energy Systems, Ltd, Trentham 1990 – 1996 Secondary school in Trentham 1986 – 1990 Primary school in Trentham

9. Positions of Responsibility and Extra Curricular Activities: School: Member of school choir, member of school soccer team Vacation Work Experience: Summer 1996 Six weeks selling experience for Tupperware Other Skills/Interests: Languages: English – mother tongue Spanish, German – good knowledge French – satisfactory knowledge Reading, theatre and jazz dance, travelling Hobbies: Cars Driving licence: Referees: Mr. J. Jones (Personnel Manager) Mr. J. Watson (Managing Director) TESCO Ltd Energy Systems Trentham 10 Ingmire Rd 33 East Street Trentham TR4 RH1 Trentham TR3 PF3 19 December 2003 Stefanie Jordan

10. Internship (practical training) Internships are very important, if you have to decide about your future job. They can help you to get an overview of the different areas of responsibility. After you have done an internship, it´s easier for you to make up your mind and decide if the job is right for you. Sometimes it´s possible to get a job afterwards in the same company. While you do an internship you should give your best in order to do your tasks satisfactorily. Furthermore, your should try to be very involved and motivated. Often it´s positive for your career, if you can certify that you have done internships. If you need help to find an internship have a look at the following links: http://english.binghamton.edu/http://www.internships.com/http://www.rsinternships.com/rshome.htmwww.findrecruiters.com

11. Talking your way into a job Practice makes perfect: Think about likely questions (see below) and prepare answers to them. Practice with a friend and record your answers so that you can hear how you sound. Would you give yourself the job? Back to the basics: Your interviewer will immediately start forming an impression of you. So learn to introduce yourself clearly and confidently. The best way is simply to say your name: "Good morning. Birgit Michl" Refer to your interviewer with their title and last name - "Nice to meet you, Dr. Roberts" - unless they invite you to use their first name. Small is big: Take the opportunity to warm up before the interview by making small talk in English with the receptionist. Small talk at the start of an interview - for example, on whether you found the office easily - also allows you to relax, and to show that you understand English and can use the language confidently.

12. Powerful past: To describe your achievements to date, use the simple past of "power verbs":"I created a new system for ..."; "I increased sales by ten per cent"; "I launched our new product range". The present perfect ("I have ...") is used when there is a clear link to the present: "Over the past three years, I have modernised ... ." Future plans: Talk about what you could bring to the job by using phrases such as "I'm sure I would be able to ..."; "I believe I could ..."; "I look forward to ...(+ "-ing"); "I would ...". Remember that to get the job you must solve the interviewer's problem. Therefore, tell them what you can do for their company, not how happy they would make you by offering you the position. Question time: Interviews are a two-way process. You need to be able to ask some intelligent questions. So, practice forms such as: "How do you produce your ...?"; "What are your plans for ...?"; "When will you be making a decision?".

13. Who's perfect? Your interviewer wants to see if you can communicate effectively in English. Don't worry too much about mistakes: they can even be charming. Just smile. All's well that ends well: The last impression is almost as important as the first one. Be polite and show enthusiasm: "It was very nice to meet you, and I am excited by the prospect of working for you. I look forward to hearing from you." Practice, practice, practice:Before going to a job interview in English, practice your answers to questions such as: 1) Did you find your way to the office easily? 2) Why do you feel you would be suitable for this job? 3) What exactly are your responsibilities in your current job? 4) What has been your biggest success? 5) What is your greatest strength/weakness? 6) What are your career goals?

14. HOW TO WRITE A LETTER OF APPLICATION • Before writing: • 1) Contact the employer for a description of the vacant position, • a duty statement or job specification. • 2) Research the company: - What does the company make/do? - Who are their customers and where are they? - How big/small is the company? Use advertising material, web sites, ask the company for publicly available information on its operations. 3) Construct the 'List of Criteria' (Try to find out what the prospective boss wants) • Points to remember for the letter of application: • It should demonstrate your knowledge of the company • Not to be too long-winded, but not too concise • Use in-house/trade "jargon" to prove your knowledge • It's OK to repeat what you have already stated in your resume • Avoid negative or weak words, for example: only, just, some, fairly • Don't make false claims, verify every claim you make • REMEMBER: • The most important step is to identify "what the boss wants" • (the Criteria List) and respond to this. Keep this as it will form the basis • of your interview preparation, helping you to decide what to say at your interview.

15. 26 Silverside PlaceCOMMODORE SA 6210 Telephone: (+44) 346074 26237 14th May 2003 The Manager Personal Department 427 Apple RoadMCINTOSH SA 6207 Dear Sir/Madam I wish to apply for the position of a keyboard operator, job reference number 30060905 that you advertised in ‘The Border Mail’ on Saturday, May 13th 2004. (This is an example of an introduction.) MAIN PART OF THE LETTER OF APPLICATION:This is where you "SELL" your skills. This may take a couple of paragraphs to complete. YOU WILL NEED TO REFER TO YOUR "CRITERIA LIST" . I have enclosed my resume, including qualifications and references, to give you additional information about myself. I would appreciate an interview to outline my skills for this vacant position. If you wish to contact me, please call me at +44 (02) 6074 6237 or write to me at the address mentioned above. (This is an example of an ending.) Yours faithfully Kati Kalle

16. Vocabulary - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Bewerbung Handelskammer Kongress Facharbeiter sich um etw. bewerben Arbeitgeber Arbeitnehmer Arbeitsamt den Hochschulabschluss machen Stellenanzeige Auslandstätigkeit persönliche Daten berufliche Erfahrung Referenzen (Zeugnisse) sonstige Kenntnisse und Fähigkeiten berufliche Erfolge Ausbildung, Studium, Weiterbildung Beruf sorgfältig effektiv, erfolgreich application chamber of commerce convention skilled worker apply for sth. employer employee employment/job office graduate help-wanted section international assignment personal details work experience references additional skills job achievements education occupation carefully effectively

17. Key A Job Quiz • James works at a bank as a bank ... . • Mary likes kids very much. She teaches them how to read and write. She works at a school as a … . • Sue has just applied for a job in an English company in London. She would like to write business letters, keep the records and organize appointments for Mr. Smith at the London office as his … . • Jenny loves to help people, so he decided to work in a hospital as a … . • Gil also likes to help other people, especially when they have gottooth ache. He is a … . • Jack works in a restaurant. He serves the guests. He is a … .

18. Key: • clerk • teacher • secretary • nurse • dentist • waiter