You have been just given a sack, because your company became a bankrupt. You feel blue and think that at 40 years you have a small chance to find a job. You don't want to be unemployed, but don't know where to find a job. Nobody seems to be interested in your engineering degree and your computer skills. Your friend that doesn't know about your problem comes to visit you and you tell her all about your problem. Try to think together what you should do.
Student B
Every time you call your friend she seems to be very upset but doesn't want to tell you what happened to her. You decided to visit her and to find everything out. After she tells you what's the matter with her, try to find some way out.
PART V
DIRECTIONS:
Which of these requirements do you have to meet at your future work? Work individually and complete this table:
your personal strengths
YES
NO
NOTES
to have qualification (education)
to work with computer
to have practical experience
to deal with emergencies
driving licence
speaking foreign languages (specify what language and how good you are at it )
awards
to be good at getting on with people
to be good at working as a part of a team
to have concern for people
to be patient
to have sense of humor
to be responsible
any other strengths:
ACTIVITY F
LISTENING COMPREHENSION:
PART I
DIRECTIONS:
Listen to the dialogue and express your opinion on the topic discussed in it. Role-play the dialogue with your partner.
Ann: What are you going to do when you leave school?
Bob: Oh, I plan to go to the University. And you?
Ann: I hope to enter the University too. Well ... providing I pass my exams, of course.
Bob: But I thought you said you were going to get a job?
Ann: Yes, I had planned to, but I changed my mind.
Bob: Oh, why's that?
Ann: Because there aren't any jobs going at the moment — at least, unskilled ones.
Bob: Yes, it's a problem. But supposing you could have any job in the world. Which one would you choose?
Ann: Well, if that were possible, I think I'd like to be a famous writer.
Bob: Oh! Any particular reason you'd choose that?
Ann: Not really, except that it must be nice seeing your name in print.
ACTIVITY G
SELF-WORK:
PART I
DIRECTIONS:
Work in small groups. Check the meaning of these jobs in a dictionary. You are going to read the article called “Nightmare jobs”. Discuss the sort of bad experiences you could have in these jobs.
actor au pair factory worker hairdresser telesales person vet
Read the article and compare your ideas in 1 with the stories each person tells. Were any of your ideas similar?
Nightmare jobs
Sally: a vet
What’s the worst thing that has ever happened in your job?
Probably the dog that bit me. It wasn’t a big one – I don’t mind the big ones. The small ones are the worst. It gave me a very nasty bite.
Have you ever done any other jobs?
Yes, I did various jobs when I was a student. One summer I did fruit-picking in France, Spain and Greece.
What’s the worst job you’ve ever done?
I worked as an au pair for a rich family in New York. I never had a day off and I had to do everything – cooking, cleaning, shopping – and look after their horrible children. I left after two weeks and got a job as a waitress in an Italian restaurant.
William: a hair dresser
What’s the worst thing that has ever happened in your job?
The first time I cut somebody’s hair, I cut one side too short, so I had to cut the other side to match. When the woman saw how short her hair was, she started crying. I felt terrible.
Have you ever done any other jobs?
Yes, I’ve done lots of stupid ones! For instance
I’ve sold ice-cream on the beach and handed out publicity flyers in the street.
What’s the worst job you’ve ever done?
Telesales! You have to telephone people and try to sell them doors and windows. Work conditions are terrible – you can’t have a break, and if you want to go to the toilet, you have to ask for permission, and then they time you! Nightmare.
Rob: an actor
What’s the worst thing that has ever happened in your job?
So many bad things happened – but I think my worst moment was when I read my best bad review in the newspaper. They wrote terrible things about me, and I was so upset. Now I don’t read my reviews any more.
Have you ever done any other jobs?
Oh, yes. I’ve done hundreds of jobs over the years. Before I got my first big part, I was working as a waiter.
What’s the worst job you’ve ever done?
The worst job I’ve ever done was at an egg-packing factory. I stood for hours and hours at the end of a conveyor belt, putting eggs into boxes. It was noisy, boring and worst of all, the smell was disgusting – I’ve never eaten an egg since.
Read the article again and find words to complete the sentences below. The first letter of each word has been given to you.
The boss had a very n____ temper and he was and he was always shouting at me.
I never had any time o____: I even had to work at weekends!
I had to work non-stop from nine to six without having a proper b____ .
I wasn’t allowed to do anything at all without asking the boss for p____ .
The machines were so ____ that I couldn’t hear myself speak.
The conditions were d____ ! I had a shower every day as soon as I got home.
Work with a partner. Discuss these questions.
Do you know anybody who has had to work under conditions like these?
What are the worst conditions you’ve had to work under?
What do you think is the worst job in the world?
PART II
DIRECTIONS:
Is the job you have chosen the right job for you? Find out by doing this quiz. Tick ( ˇ ) the statements you agree with and also guess what statements your partner might choose. After everybody is ready see whether your guess was right.
Job Quiz.
I'd love to do a parachute jump.
I don't like telling people what to do.
I prefer spending time on my own rather than in a crowd.
I find it easy to set myself objectives.
I have difficulty making decisions.
I find it difficult getting to know new people.
I'd love to travel abroad.
Friends sometimes complain that I order them around.
I like to have the advice and support of people more experienced than myself.
I don't like volunteering opinions in case they are unpopular.
I like to try to find new solutions to old problems.
I would prefer to be team captain than team member.
I get embarrassed easily.
I don't mind where I go with my friends as long as they are happy.
I like the latest fashions.
I like to be fully responsible for anything that I do.