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ENGLISH FOR TECHNICAL PURPOSES 5

A5003

UNIT 1

Understanding Job Advertisements

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A5003/Unit 1___________________________________________________________________________________

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 advertisements2. 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?

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Job Advertisement

Name of company

Post(s) advertised

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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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Reading and Understanding

Task 1.1

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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 MANAGERHUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT

P.O. BOX 777750879 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 ?

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.

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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Task 1.2

Looking for a job on the Internet

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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.

orThree years as the President of the Students’ Council has made me an independent, analytical and responsible person.

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:

independentresponsibleanalytical

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LANGUAGE INPUT

Task 1.3

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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

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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LANGUAGE INPUT

Task 1.4

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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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Task 1.5

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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 ............).

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: Present Participle form:Supported, developed, and maintained application software for administrative functions

Supporting, developing, and maintaining application software for administrative functions

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Task 1.6

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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.

1. The Mechanical Equipment Specialist will need to be able to do all of the following EXCEPT:

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SELF-TEST

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A. replacing machine partsB. trouble-shooting engine problemsC. taking out engine parts and putting them back againD. assisting in the financing of various types of vehicles

2. The Mechanical Equipment Specialist needs to have the following qualifications and skills EXCEPT:

A. good physical fitness and strengthB. good knowledge of automotives and enginesC. experience in repairing various types of vehiclesD. 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’ meansA. 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 PhrasesThe 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 pleasant fringe relevant computer withgood command

result interpersonal ability motivated skills

literate commensurate personality benefits oriented experienceminimum team of supervision to player

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.

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