#livingUruguay6

How to get a job:

Curriculum Vitae
Look at the following images. Can you recognize what is happening
in each of them? What do they have in common?

a c

e f

Photos A-G pixabay.com/ photo H: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sillyjilly/548349412

Have you ever worked? Are you looking for a job? How do people in
Uruguay look for jobs? Get into pairs and discuss your ideas.

UNIT 1 Studying and working 18

 #livingUruguay6

If you’re considering entering the job market, you should be

aware of the different steps in the job search process.
In which order would you do the actions shown in the box?
Discuss and complete the graphic organizer.

2.

JOB
SEARCH
PROCESS
3.

4.

Considering the pictures from the first activity, can you decide which of
the steps they belong to?

RESEARCH JOBS → Job advertisement: ______

Job boards: _______

APPLY → Cover letter: ______ CV: ______ Video CV: ______

Online application: ______

JOB INTERVIEW → Face-to-face interview: ______

Virtual interview: ______

UNIT 1 Studying and working 19

 #livingUruguay6
Thomas Briggs is applying for the position of Executive Chef at The Table
restaurant. Use Thomas’ documents below to complete his CV.
Source: Thomas’ CV profile picture in Flickr

UNIT 1 Studying and working 22

 #livingUruguay6

Source: Thomas’ documents from Canva

UNIT 1 Studying and working 23
 #livingUruguay6
How to get a job:
Cover letter
Look at the letters below. In which ways are they similar and in which ways
are they different? Can you recognize what kind of letters they are and why?

Read some
information about
cover letters and
put the titles into
the correct place
(there’s one extra).

UNIT 1 Studying and working 24

 Jenny is looking for a job as a photographer. Take a look at the job #livingUruguay6
advertisement and read her cover letter.

UNIT 1 Studying and working 25

 #livingUruguay6

When we write a formal letter there are some things we have to

take into account: appropriate language, organization, and layout.

In reference to Appropriate language: When we write a formal

letter our language has to be formal as well. Choose the correct
phrase below to complete the letter:

1. a. and I thought that’s the job for me!

b. and I am writing to apply for the position.

2. c. obtained my degree with honors.

d. ended up with great grades.

3. e. I love taking photos of everything, I’ve done it all my life!

f. I have always been interested in photography.

4. g. I think I am very enthusiastic and hardworking.

h. My friends think I work hard and I’ve always been popular.

5. i. I can supply you with the names of two references.

j. If you want, you can phone two of my friends, so they can be my references.

Why did you choose those options? As you can see we should avoid some things when
writing in formal language. Choose one example for each of these errors from the previous
activity (write the letters - a to k). For example:

The organization of ideas is very important, too. Read the letter again and match
the descriptions below with each paragraph of the letter (write the number of
the paragraph).

UNIT 1 Studying and working 26

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 #livingUruguay6

Read the letter again and focus on the linking expressions

that you find, pay attention to their meaning. Then, match
the linking expressions to their meaning.

opinion 1. because (of this), so, as a result

listing points 2. for example, such as, especially

examples 3. when, before, until, while, after

contrast 4. I think, I believe, I insist

cause/effect 5. but, however, although, despite

time 6. first of all, secondly, also, next, then, after this/that, lastly, all in all

The layout in a formal letter is also fundamental. Label the different sections of the letter.

introduction signature body closing opening

UNIT 1 Studying and working 27

 #livingUruguay6
Now that you have completed the letter, answer the following questions:

1. What’s the name of the company and where is it located?

2. What sort of person is needed for the job?

3. Do you think Jenny is suitable for the job? Why? Why not?

Read the letter again and complete the information about Jenny:

Personal details Personality Availability

Skills & Qualifications Experience References

Freddie is looking for a job. Let’s help him by completing the job
advertisement with the missing words:
- degree - packages - cover letter - assistant - experience -
- driver’s - necessary - phones -

UNIT 1 Studying and working 28

 #livingUruguay6
Imagine you are applying for the same job as Freddie.
Choose one of the jobs and complete the chart to
organize your ideas. Then, write the letter.

Personal details Personality Availability

Skills & Qualifications Experience References

Write the letter!

UNIT 1 Studying and working 29

 Reading skills practice: Job adverts – exercises
Do you need some cash? Are you looking for work? Well, look at these job adverts and do the exercises to
improve your reading skills.

Preparation
Match the vocabulary with the correct definition and write a–f next to the numbers 1–6.

1…….. cash a. talkative

2…….. a trainee b. having a special ability or training
3…….. chatty c. an informal word for money
4…….. valuable d. very useful or important
5…….. a career e. a person who is being trained to do a job
6…….. skilled f. a person's chosen job and life's work
1. Check your understanding: matching
Complete the recommendations with a job from the box.

A: Support worker B: Trainee hairdresser C: Wowee Magazine writer

D: Model E: Coffee Beans café worker

Recommended job

1. Nina is studying English and has her own blog. She is a very sociable
person, and is interested in music and fashion. ………………………..

2. Dave has just finished school and is looking for a full-time job. He is
sociable, likes working with his hands and cares about his appearance. ………………………..

3. Dewei enjoys helping people. He wants to make a difference to other

people's lives. He is looking for opportunities to learn new things that
will help him in his career. ………………………..

4. Sarah is a student and she is looking for flexible, part-time work. She
doesn't want to work in a restaurant or shop. She is tall, beautiful and
has her own unique look. ………………………..

5. Sam is friendly and sociable. He has experience working in a

restaurant and wants a job with more responsibility. He is studying
part-time so he needs flexible working hours. ………………………..

2. Check your understanding: gap fill

Complete the sentences with A, B, C, D or E. You can use each letter more than once.

1. You never have to wear your own clothes for job ________.

2. Job ________ offers possibilities for children under 16 years old.

3. Your pay for job ________ depends on how successful you are at the job.

4. Job ________ requires physical contact with customers.

5. Job ________ offers management opportunities.

6. You might get some ‘freebies’ if you do job ________.

7. You need to work closely with your team for job ________.

8. Job ________ is for someone who likes working with older people.

Discussion

Do you have a part-time job? Which of these jobs would you most like to do?
Student worksheets

Writing a CV

Task 1: what do you know about a CV?

Speak with a neighbour. Are these sentences true or false?
1. A CV is a document with information about you.
2. You use a CV to get a job.
3. You should put your photo on your CV.
4. Your CV should be 3 or 4 pages long.
5. It’s OK to have mistakes (spelling, grammar…) on your CV.
6. All information on your CV must be in full sentences.
7. Employers usually look at a CV for about 2 minutes.

Task 2: what parts does a CV have?

a) Write the missing letters. b) Match the parts 1-6 with their meanings A-F.

1 P_rs_n_l det_ _ils A jobs you did before

2 Ed_c_t_ _ n and q_ _lific_t_ _ns B things you enjoy (e.g. playing a sport)

3 W_rk exp_r_ _nce C your name, address, date of birth, email,

phone number

4 Sk_lls D the name of your school / college; exams you

passed

5 Int_r_sts E things you can do (e.g. speak a language;

drive a car; use a computer)

6 R_f_r_nc_s F names of people who know you (e.g. your

teacher or your boss), and who can say that
you’re good for a job

© British Council 2013 1

Student worksheets

Nisa’s CV – version 2: headings missing

Complete Nisa’s CV. Write the headings in the right place on the dotted lines (…).
a. Education and qualifications d. Interests
b. Personal details e. Work experience
c. References f. Skills

Nisa Thaoto CV
I am a nurse with qualifications and experience. I am looking for a job in healthcare in Beechen.

…………………………………………..
Address: 391 Newbury Road, Beechen, BE2 3AC
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07746 128 497
Date of birth: 30 April 1992

…………………………………………..
2010-2011: Boromarajonani College of Nursing, Bangkok (Thailand). Diploma in Nursing
2012-present: Beechen College. ESOL course. I will take Entry 1 exams this term.

…………………………………………..
2011-2012: nurse at Bumrungrad International Hospital, Bangkok
2013-present: volunteer assistant at Help the Aged (charity shop), 14 High Street, Beechen

…………………………………………..
Languages: Thai (fluent); English (elementary)
Computers: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
UK driving license

…………………………………………..
I enjoy football and played for the women’s team at school.

…………………………………………..
Mr Mark Hargreaves, ESOL Lecturer, Beechen College: [email protected]
Ms Pikul Dangda, Head of Nursing, Bumrungrad International Hospital, Bangkok:
[email protected]. Ms Dangda was my supervisor when I worked at Bumrungrad
Hospital.
© British Council 2013 4
Learner’s  worksheet  –  A  job  interview  
 
 
Worksheet 6

Task 6 – Conversation at a job interview

• Write the words in the correct order to make sentences or questions someone could
ask you in a job interview.

a. nice/ Good afternoon,/ to/ you./ meet/

Good afternoon, nice to meet you.

b. in touch./ Thank you/ We’ll be/ for coming today.

_______________________________________

c. got/ any questions?/ Have you

_______________________________________

d. your/ tell us/ you/ previous work experience, /Can/ about/ please.
_______________________________________

e. in a team?/ you/ Do / work well

_______________________________________

f. start?/ could/ When / you

_______________________________________

g. this job?/ you want/ Why/ do

_______________________________________

h. a few questions./ would/ to ask/ We/ you/ like

_______________________________________

i. have you got/ help you/ What skills/ that/ in this job?/ would
_______________________________________

j. £10.50 per hour/ Sundays. / and work / Wednesdays to / You'll get

_______________________________________

6   ©  British  Council  2014  

 
Learner’s  worksheet  –  A  job  interview  
 
 
Worksheet 7

Task 7
• Complete the job interview conversation.
• Write the interviewer's questions from Worksheet 6 (a-i) in the correct places.

Interviewer: Good afternoon, nice to meet you.

Interviewee: Hello. Nice to meet you, too.
Interviewer: ...................................................................................................................................
Interviewee: Ok, great. I’ll do my best to answer them.
Interviewer: ...................................................................................................................................
Interviewee: Yes, of course. I am unemployed at the moment, but my last job was at
a supermarket. I worked there for 18 months. Before that, I worked
as a cleaner at a school.
Interviewer: ..................................................................................................................................
Interviewee: I’m very organised and always on time. I have good people skills and I
am polite. I can cook and I have a certificate in food safety.
Interviewer: ...................................................................................................................................
Interviewee: I would like the job because this is a good organisation to work for. I
like meeting people and talking to customers. Also, I can work at
lunch times and in the evenings – the hours are good for me.
Interviewer: ..................................................................................................................................
Interviewee: Yes. I like working together with other people.
Interviewer: .................................................................................................................................
Interviewee: Straight away!
Interviewer: .................................................................................................................................
Interviewee: Yes. How much will I get paid per hour? Which days will I have to
work?
Interviewer: .................................................................................................................................
Interviewee: Thank you very much. I look forward to hearing from you.
Interviewer: .................................................................................................................................

• What job do you think the interview is for?

7   ©  British  Council  2014  

 
Melany Smith

- Age: 23 years old

- Experience:
● 2017: First job as local babysitter
● 2018: Secretary assistant for Hotel Clone management
● 2019 - Present: Receptionist at Hotel Clone
- Qualifications:
● Degree in Administrative assistance
● Microsoft Office specialist certification
- Skills:
● Attentive to detail
● Patient
● Good communication skills