Business Lesson 10: Employment

Business Lesson 10
Employment

TEXT 1: Job Descriptions & CV Writing

Here is a common job description profile. When you are searching for work in an English-speaking country, whether it is online or through a  newspaper, odds are the template will appear as follows:

URGENTLY NEEDED: Finish & Trim Carpenter:
* Well Done Carpentry Co., Greater Toronto Area.
* Full time, 40 hours, some overtime and weekends.
* Minimum 3 years experience.
* Must have his own tools and transportation.
* Travel costs covered over 60km. Various locations in the GTA.
* Starting salary $35/hr., minimum 1 year contract.
* Must be a trade school graduate or have completed apprenticeship.
* Must work well in a team/crew setting as well as be very independent.
* Opportunity for career advancement.

When submitting your CV for a job, or posting it onto a job placement website, ensure that your CV is polished and error-free. It is also important that your CV follows the current template and uses the appropriate English terminology.

Here is an example of the proper formatting:

Name:  Ashley Silva


Address: 6112 County Road West, Waterloo, ON, Canada


Telephone: +001 519 701 8881


Cell Phone:  +001 519 623 8881


Email: asilva@gmail.com

Personal Information


Date of Birth: July 3, 1975


Place of Birth: Salvador de Bahía, Bahía, Brazil.


Citizenship: Canadian/Brazilian


Visa Status: Citizen


Gender: Female

Optional Personal Information


Marital Status: married


Dependants: 1

Employment History


List in chronological order, include position details and dates; example:
Brazilian Culture and Language Ambassador to Canada – 2008-2011.
The Federal Republic of Brazil, posted: Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
——- Description of duties and responsibilities ——–

Education: 
(Include dates, majors, and details of degrees, training and certification).

Bachelor’s of French Philology & Translation, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Paris, 1991-1995.
Master’s in Translation Methodology, Chicago University, Chicago, IL, U.S.A. 1997.
(University, Graduate School, Post-Doctoral Training).

Professional Qualifications: 
(Certifications and Accreditations, Computer Skills).

Computer Skills: MS Windows, MS Office, HTML, MS Project, Stat-graphics, SPSS, PHP, SQL, internet, SEO, etc.
Languages: Fluently Portuguese, French, English; Advanced Spanish
(Awards, Publications, Books, Professional Memberships)
Interests: French & West African Literature, non-profit work, travelling, wind surfing, hiking.

— references available upon request —

TEXT 2: Employment Language and Management

Getting a promotion is just as nerve-wracking as it is exciting. Harriet has been informed that she is the frontrunner for Supervisor of Finances after the previous supervisor had retired. She has had several interviews and is very anxious to discover the results.

Justin: I was speaking with Sarah this morning and she told me that you said you have been very nervous about the possible promotion. Have you heard any news yet?
Harriet: I know that several members of the board have been talking about it because they’ve been avoiding me in the halls and elevators most of the morning. Oh, hold on a minute, one of them is calling me right now actually.
… (phone conversation)…
Harriet: They want to meet with me upstairs, I think this is it. I’ll see you this afternoon Justin.
Justin: Okay, good luck Harriet!
… (Harriet enters boardroom)…
Chair of the Board: members of the board, please give a warm welcome to our new Supervisor of Finances, Harriet Fleetwood. (applause).
Harriet: Oh my goodness! Thank you so much! I have been so nervous about your decision!
Chair: We’re sorry for the delay, but these things take time. We must go over the details of your contract before we celebrate prematurely. Take a look at the figures below:
Salary: $120 000 annually, $10 000 monthly OR $40 000 quarterly.
Expected office hours: minimum 30.
Travel hours monthly: avg. 15-20
Schedule: flexible, unfixed.
Duties and responsibilities: Guide the entire sales department into 12 successful quarters. Oversee a team of 25 employees and instruct them as is necessary to ensure an annual company profit. Provide weekly emailed reports to the board regarding costs and expenses, as well as any other important figures. The Supervisor of Finances will be required to present a full report monthly to the board in-person, as well as a yearly forecast of figures.
Benefits: Full medical, dental, and travel coverage.
Duration of contract: 3 years, 36 months, 12 quarters.
Do you have any questions? Is there anything you wanted to say?
Harriet: No sir, just thank you very much and I can’t wait to get started with my new Employment.

. Where do I sign?

Vocabulary List of Text 1

Vocabulary List of Text 2