ENGLISH FOR BUSINESS

DRAF BUKU AJAR

Disusun oleh:

Yusuf Kurniawan, S.S, M.A

NIP 132 231 475

Dibiayai dengan:
Anggaran PNBP Program D-3 Bahasa Inggris
Fakultas Sastra dan Seni Rupa, UNS
Tahun 2008/2009

SASTRA INGGRIS
FAKULTAS SASTRA DAN SENI RUPA
UNIVERSITAS SEBELAS MARET
SURAKARTA
2008

Page | 1
 1 Résumes and Letters of Application

INTRODUCTION
When you want to get a job or change your present job, the first step in most cases is
looking at the job advertisements in the employment section of major newspapers.
In this chapter we will look at the procedure to follow once you have found an ad that
interests you.

JOB ADVERTS

INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
BILINGUAL SECRETARY
is looking for personnel for its new
branch in the Middle East. If you are Multinational seeks secretaries,
qualified as an accountant, a male or female, to assist top
computer operator, a bilingual executives working in the Central
secretary, an electrical engineer, we and South America area.
are interested in you. Applicants should be
English-Spanish bilingual, with
Send your resume, recent excellent writing skills in both
photograph and salary requirements languages. Must be able to work
to Mary Ann Stewars, 58 Lincoln St. with computers and willing to travel
Southville, Florida 60176. most of the time.
Excellent salary and fringe
benefits.
Send CV and recent
DEPARTMENT STORE photograph to BilSecr. 5386 Prune
Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115 USA.
Part-time Sales Assistants required
to work in Fashion Department.
Three days per week including
Sundays. Excellent hourly rate.
Clothing concessions and
store discount. Write to Molly
Bridges, Top Fashion Department,
Metrose of York Ave, London W1.

Page | 2
PAIR WORK

1. Look at the advertisement on the previous page. Which of the jobs advertised is more
appealing to you in terms of schedule, salary, and place of work? Explain.
2. Do you have any experience, studies or special skills that fit these job descriptions?
3. Once you have found the job you would like to get, what do you do next? Explain the
different steps to follow.

GROUP WORK

1. Think of two positions you would like to have. Write adverts for them stating
candidates’ requirements, place and conditions of work, fringe benefits, etc. Compare
with your partner’s.
2. Choose the two best adverts. Discuss advantages and disadvantages.

RÉSUMES OR CURRICULUM VITAE (CV)

The Curriculum Vitae is a written account of a person’s education and employment history. The
information contained must be brief but as complete as possible.

The different parts of a CV are usually organized as follows:

CURRICULUM VITAE

Name : Marina Conti

HEADING Address : 127 Cruise Road
Tel. Number : 222 3452
Marital Status : Single
Nationality : Mexican
Birth Date : January 28th, 1983
2002 : Italian Institute
EDUCATION 1999-2001 : Interior Design School Graduate
1998 : Saint Rose School Graduate

2005 : Designer at Andre & Annette Inc.

WORK 2004 : Designer Julie’s Department Store
EXPERIENCE
2003 : European Fashion
Assistant at the Design Dept.
Languages : Fluent in Spanish, Italian, English
ADDITIONAL Interests : Painting and travelling
INFORMATION References : Mrs. Mary Anne Jones (212 8776)
Mr. Richard Burns (232 5564)

Page | 3
Let’s Practice!
Read the resume below. Refer back to the adverts on Page 1 and choose the best position for
this person. Explain your reasons.

CURRICULUM VITAE Complete the CV below using the

following information. Add any
PERSONAL missing data. What position is best for
Name : Joel D. Harris
this person?
Address : 325 Malcom, London, UK
Telephone : 44 81 363 4544 - Speaks Spanish and a little
Age : 23 German
Marital status : Single - Full time Sales Representative
at Denise Clothing Company
EDUCATION - Fashion Design Course
1994 : Computing Course for the - 481 78 87
Advanced Learner - Married, two children
1993 : Computer Course: DOS - Patricia Newby
1992 : Windows for IBM, Accounting - 26
1991 : Clark Institute. Administration - Sales Training Course at
and Office Work Benson’s Institute
- Shop Assistant at MC’s
WORK EXPERIENCE Department Store
1993/4 : Secretary to the Export - Johnson’s Highschool
Department Manager in Lester
& Lester Inc. I had to deal with
correspondence, transport, RESUME
insurance services, etc to Latin
American customers. PERSONAL
Performed a turn-around of the Name :
South American operation. Address :
1992 : Typist at a computer terminal Telephone :
for an International Age :
Communication Enterprise in Marital Status :
San Juan, Puerto Rico.
EDUCATION
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1988-91 : Fluent in Spanish, Secondary
School in Santiago, Chile WORK EXPERIENCE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Page | 4
 LETTERS OF APPLICATION
The Letter of Application, as the name states, is the letter you have to write when applying for
a job. It is addressed to the prospective employer in order to get an interview.

Letters of Application may be presented in two ways:

- A letter stating your purpose and enclosing Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume.
- A letter containing information about your qualifications and expertise (less common).

A. GUIDELINES FOR WRITING A LETTER OF APPLICATION

• Introduction
States how you learned of the post (saw it in the newspaper, or other), and
specify clearly the job you are applying for.
• Personal Information
Full name, age, marital status, main interests
• Education
Schools, Institutes, Colleges, University Degrees and Courses
• Work Experiences
Identify post, enterprise, period of time, responsibilities
• References
If requested

Page | 5
 B. MODEL OF APPLICATION LETTER

June 17th, 2008

Mr. Dean Rogers

Personnel Manager
Canberra

Dear Sir.
I read your advertisement in the PRIME NEWS of June 12th for the position
INTRODUCTION
of secretary in your Sales Department and I am interested in applying for the
post.

PERSONAL I am twenty-three years old and single. I am good at languages. I speak

DETAIL Italian, Spanish and a little German and practice sports.
After I left school I studied for two years at the International Academy for
EDUCATION
Secretaries and obtained my diploma.
Four years ago, I got my first job at Burns and Jackson where I gained

WORK experience in office work and attending customers. I enjoy my work, but I do
EXPERIENCE not use foreign languages and fell the possibilities of making progress in my
career are limited.
I believe that the line of business in your company offers perspectives that
CLOSING
better match my training and expectations.
I hope you will consider me for an interview.

Yours faithfully

Mary Davis
Mary Davis

Page | 6
 Focus on Language

Frequently Used Expressions

Opening Sentences
• I saw your advertisement in Kompas …. (name of newspaper or other media)
• I have read your advertisement in Solo Pos
• I am interested in the vacancy you are advertising in…..
• Please consider my application for ….

Closing Sentences
• I look forward to an interview.
• I hope you will grant me an interview.
• I would like to have an interview at your convenience.
• Hoping to hear from you soon.

Let’s Practice!
Add an opening sentence and a closing sentence to this Application Letter for one of the
adverts on Page 1.

September 29, 2008

BILSECR
5386 Prune Blvd.
San Diego, CA

Gentelemen:
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
I am twenty-one years old and single. I am English-Spanish bilingual. Since my parents work
for an International organization I lived in Chile and Venezuela during my school years.
After graduation I studied for two semesters in a British Academy for Bilingual Secretaries. I
improved my writing skills in English and in Spanish and I also took two Japanese Courses.
I worked as a part-time secretary in a Canadian enterprise and as an interpreter in some
seminars and conferences.
Attached you will find my photograph and resume. References will be available on request.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Yours truly,

Doug Fairbain
Doug Fairbain

Page | 7
 2 Job Interview and Tips for Job Interview

INTRODUCTION
Interview can be considered the most important verbal communication in one’s
career development. Many of us can reach top position after we have gone through an
interview well. As is the other form of communication, interview is a skill which can be
learned and practiced. Even though interview involves two parties, interviewer and
interviewee, this chapter will only discuss about the preparations might be needed by an
interviewee.

PREPARATION
Preparation for an interview should be made since someone receives the invitation
for the interview, whether by letter or by phone. One important thing is informing your
willingness to be interviewed by scheduling yourself flexibly and making sure that you give
the most accessible telephone number.
When the schedule of the interview has been made, we had better check the
schedule again, such as time, date and venue. One often underestimates the location of the
interview. It can be imagined how it would be complicated with the interview is conducted
on the 36th floor and it is occupied by a great variety of companies with their almost-similar
types of offices. If we arrive too close to the time of the interview, it can be very tense to us,
and it will not be good for our performance.
There are three major elements that are necessarily discussed with the staff that
takes care of the interview, namely:
a. The objective of the interview
b. The duration of the interview
c. The number of the interviewers and their names

Knowing the objective of the interview will help us prepare the materials of the
interview and anticipate the direction and plot of the interview. The duration of the
interview, if it can be known in advance, will enable us to choose a strategy in responding
the questions, whether we will give brief and short or detailed and comprehensive answers.

Page | 8
 Knowing more certainly about the number of the interviewers will psychologically
ease the interviewee. It can be imagined how anxious the interviewee will be after he/she
sees a series of interviewers in panel forms involving 3-5 interviewers if previously he/she
imagines that the interviewer is only one person.
If we know the names and background of the interviewers earlier, we will feel
relaxed and enable us to anticipate the direction and frame of though of the interviewers.
One thing should be given higher point of appreciation in an interview is how the
interviewee articulates his/her thought and ideas, not in the capability of memorizing
answers of a problem.

WHEN THE INTERVIEW IS CONDUCTED

Body language is the representation of one’s soul condition. A calm and mature
individual can be seen from his/her relaxed and common manner. The body lying on the
chair shows a ‘casual’ individual. On the contrary, the body position leaning forward implies
nervousness. You should position your body upright but it’s a little bit leaning forward to
show attentive attitude. Avoid crossing your legs because it can create an impression that
you are not too serious. Besides, do not play with your hair, bite your nails and play the tip
of your dress.
The quality of your voice needs to be managed to avoid the voice quality which
sounds ‘as it is’. It doesn’t mean that you have to make your voice sound artificial. The
strong and weak intonation needs to be measured and made proportional adjusted to the
size of the room and the distance between you and the interviewers. Avoid using intonation
which keeps rising because it will imply that you are in a bad mood.
Eye-contact is necessarily made to convince the interviewers that you pay your
attention and interest to the topic of the interviewee and the interviewers’ existence.
In answering questions, do it directly and make it open. ‘Direct’ means not winding,
whilst ‘open’ means that you are supposed to be frank in answering the questions.
Make sure that you understand the questions. Answering by figuring out what is
being asked by the interviewer will only cause you to have bad or even worse performance.
If you are given a chance to raise questions at the end of the interview, make sure
that there is an important/ necessary thing to be asked. Avoid asking questions if it is only
aimed at marking-up your image since the end of the interview will be well-recorded in the
interviewer’s mind for a long time.

INTERVIEW TO SEEK FOR A JOB

Before you attend a job interview, re-read your application letter and pay closer look
at each of the description of your job experiences. Most frequently, institutions/

Page | 9
corporations look for the personal potential and quality of the applicant both experiences
and formal skills. Experience as a school magazine reporter or a secretary of a youth club
may be very relevant with the job offered.
If you want to be more serious in preparing your job interview, find information as
much as possible about the corporation in libraries, newspapers and magazines. Find data
from the annual report of the corporation and the names of its managers. Being face to face
with persons whom you have known about their background will give you more self-
confidence during the interview.

Structure of interview usually covers the followings:

1. General background
Even though it has been mentioned in the application letter, the request to describe
about the general description of the applicant is almost always asked. A new applicant
usually will be more focused on his/her education and qualification and also the other
activities. Meanwhile, an experienced job-seeker tends to focus on his/her experience
and educational background.
2. Qualifications
Questions in this part are leading toward the reasons why the applicant thinks that the
positions he/she applies is suitable for him/her. Qualification here is meant as the
qualification of education, work experience and individual experience.
3. Experience
Experience covers the resume of experiences of the applicant which are suitable with
the job, social works or experience in pursuing educational level.
4. Reasons of Applying
If answering this question you had better cover the following things:
- Why the career offered is interesting to you
- How long you have been dreaming of the position
- How far you have prepared for the position
- How you are convinced that the job offered is in line with your aspiration about the
dreamed career.
5. Career Objectives
This question leads to the vision and long-term plan of the applicant. The important
aspect which is necessary to reveal is the actions having been done to actualize the
ambition.
6. Crisis Management
The aim of this question is to test the capability of the applicant to provide solution in
the time of crisis. For example how we resolve sharp criticism from a user of company
produce/ service who wants to have the company closed.

Page | 10
 The best action is formulating your answer calmly and using your mature common sense
to redeem bigger conflict that might occur.

CONCLUSION

The well-prepared preparation in encountering an interview for both applying for a

job and scholarship is extremely important. Our capability to visualize what is going to
happen in an interview will help us make the abstract become more concrete. Based on
this, generally the self-confidence usually grows, a crucial equipment to encounter an
interview.

Page | 11
 3 Get Prepared for a Job Interview

Kinds of Job Interviews

1. Selection Interview: the kind when you consider someone for a job
2. Promotion Interview: takes place when you wish to be considered for a job at a
higher grade within your organization.
3. Appraisal Interview: it is meant to review progress and discuss the future.
4. Counseling Interview: to find out what has been troubling an employee or why
someone has not been working to their usual high standard.
5. Disciplinary Interview: this is carried out when an employee feels that he or she
has been treated badly by another member of staff.

Before the Interview

1. Find out about the company
Goods and services provided how long they have been established.
2. Be sure of the person to be seen: address, time of interview
3. Plan the way to get to the venue: be there 10 minutes earlier to get relaxed and
gather thoughts
4. Choose comfortable, appropriate and acceptable clothes, shoes and accessories

During the Interview

1. Listen carefully
2. Take care to use correct expressions and language suitable to the situation
3. Maintain eye contact
4. Be honest
5. Ask questions about things related to the job

Page | 12
Questions at Interviews
A. Questions about the Job and Organization
1. Why do you want this job?
2. Can you work independently?
3. What qualities do you look for in your employer?
4. Would you work overtime if necessary?
5. When can you start work?

B. Questions about Ambitions

1. Why did you take up this specific career?
2. What do you hope to be doing in 5 years time?
3. Would you consider yourself suitable to enter management?
4. What do you look for in your job?

C. Questions on Interests and Hobbies

1. What do you do in your free time?
2. How long have you been interested in this sport/hobby?
3. Are you attending any part-time classes at present?
4. Are there any courses you wish to attend?

D. Situation Questions:
1. You have arranged to meet someone after work and your employer asks you
to stay late. What would you do?
2. Your employer has left for an overseas business trip and you realize he has left
some important documents behind. What would you do?
3. There is some unfortunate gossip that your employer is defrauding the
company’s property. What would you do?

Page | 13