II. LANGUAGE FOCUS A.

WRITING A CV When writing a CV in English it is best not to translate your diplomas, degrees and other qualifications, but it is useful for your potential employer to have some idea of what they correspond to in the English / American system. The best solution is to place the equivalents in brackets after the Romanian qualification. It is also important to observe the correct headings that are standard to English CV writing practice and not just translate Romanian terms literally, e.g. "situatie familiala" as "family situation", which sounds very strange indeed. Here are some useful terms in Romanian and their English equivalents: nume de fata maiden name situatie familiala marital status nume surname data nasterii- date of birth limba materna mother tongue prenume forename locuri de munca anterioare previous employment bacalaureat "A" level(s) Writing - Now study the CV of Paul W Cair, then write your own CV in the same way. For the purpose of this task, you can invent experience and assume you have passed all your examinations! CURRICULUM VITAE Paul W Cair Personal details Date of birth 30 / 5 / 79 Address 7 Linden Crescent, Stonebridge, EH21 3TZ email p.w.cair@btinternet.com Education 1991-1995 Standard grades in Maths, English, Spanish, Computer Studies, Geography, Science, James High School 1996-1997 HNC in Computing Maxwell College 1997-1999 HDN in Computing Support Maxwell College Other qualifications Jan 2000 CTEC Work Experience 1999-present IT support consultant Novasystems

Novasystems is an IT company that provides a complete range of computing services for its corporate clients My experience includes: - advising clients on IT issues and strategies - 1st line customer telephone support - database design - configuration and installation of hardware and software to clients' specification - network administration and implementation - PC assembly I have knowledge of these areas: - Windows 200 Server / Professional - Office 97, 2000 - Sage line 50 & 100 - Windows 95 / 98 - TCP / IP Networking - Windows NT4 Server/Workstation - Exchange Server 5.5 - Veritas Backup Exec for NT Hobbies and interests volleyball Referees 1 Academic Dr. L. Thin, IT Department, Maxwell College 2 Work Ms Y. Leith, Personnel Officer, Novasystems

B. WRITING LETTERS AND FAXES When writing a letter or a fax in English you have to know where to put the date, the name and address of the addressee, how to begin a letter, how to end it, and where to put the handwritten signature, the signatory's full name (typed), and the function of the signatory in his or her organization (you will get a sample of a letter of application that will show you all these details). Faxes are very similar to letters but tend to be less formal. se the same format as for letters but do not forget to specify how many pages there are and number the pages. The ending most generally used is "Best regards" which is often considered too informal for a business letter. B.1. A LETTER OF APPLICATION Write a letter of application for the training period, respecting the letter-writing format of the following letter of application. You may find some of the following expressions useful: - should be only too pleased to supply further details and references - please find enclosed my curriculum vitae

- am currently studying for - should you feel I could be of use to your firm - am available to start as from June 15 - gain insight into methods and techniques used outside Romania - in the light of the Single European Market 10 GOLDEN RULES FOR YOUR LETTER OF APPLICATION 1. Write clearly 2. Keep your letter short and to the point 3. State what job you are applying for 4. Make the information you give relevant to the job, and firm, so read the advertisement carefully first 5. Type your letter 6. Draft out what you want to say in rough first 7. Give all the information you are asked for 8. Check your spelling and punctuation 9. State when you are available for the interview 10. Print your name clearly under your signature Dos and don'ts How not to do it - avoid sounding negative or pessimistic - state the purpose of your letter in the first paragraph - avoid sounding over confident don't give the impression you are unlikely to stay long How it should be done - state where you saw the job advertised - name and address of firm. Reference number if there is one. Use the person's name if you know it - state you qualifications in brief - "Yours faithfully" is correct unless you address the person by name "dear Mr. Black" then put "Yours sincerely". Here is a sample of an authentic letter of application: 33 Looseleigh Lane Derriford Plymouth Devon PL6 8BH Mr Roy Cross Deputy Director British Council Romania 16 Oxford Street London LA1 6 PD June 21, 1994 Dear Mr Cross I would like to apply for one of the Regional Teacher Trainer / Adviser positions which you have recently advertised in The Guardian.

I believe I have skills and qualifications appropriate to the position. Although at present I do not have a Masters degree, I have applied to do the Moray House in TESOL by Distance Learning. I feel that it would be advantageous to be following this course while working in this particular position as ideas would be fresh and I would be able to apply new knowledge and insights in my daily work and share them with colleagues. I have considerable teaching and teacher training experience through my position as teacher and as Director of Studies in a variety of language schools. I have taught students at all levels and of all ages. Over the past year, for example, I have taught post-graduates at International House and 6 year-olds in a primary school. I have regularly observed teachers and given feedback on their lessons, as well as leading fortnightly education seminars. The International House / British Council teacher development courses on which I was a trainer consisted of methodology input sessions and language development. Through my work in Cairo and Sabah (Malaysia) I learnt about the work of the British Council overseas. I Cairo I administered IELTS tests and ran short courses for UK bound students. In Malaysia I arranged, through the British Council, study tours for project personnel. All the positions of responsibility I have held have involved people management, team leadership and team membership. I have always enjoyed developing productive working relationships with management, teachers and administrative staff, as well as students. As the Director of Studies of International House I have represented the school and the culture of English speaking world on many occasions, from official situations such as conferences and media interviews to day-to-day enquiries from students and members of the public. Based on my educational background and employment record I believe I could make a significant contribution towards achieving the aims of the ENGIMP Project. My contact address until the end of July is as above. I hope this letter of application will clarify some of the information on the enclosed CV. Yours sincerely, Alan Bannister C. INTERVIEWS What do you think are the most important things to consider when you are preparing for: (a) a job interview, (b) an appraisal or progress report? Look at the list of the "Twelve Most Common Interview Questions" 1. Describe your greatest strengths and weaknesses. 2. Where do you see yourself in five years' time? 3. Why should you be employed by this company? 4. Describe your most recent accomplishments. 5. Describe a recent situation at work which you found frustrating 6. In the past year, what have you been dissatisfied about in your performance? 7. What do you think is the most important skill that a manager should possess? 8. What major problem have you encountered recently and how did you deal with it? 9. In what ways could you be described as creative?

10. Have you ever managed a conflict? How? 11. Which is more important to you, money or job satisfaction? 12. How has your recent project been going? Dos and don'ts at the interview - Do arrive in plenty of time. If you think you may have trouble finding the place, set out early. You can always explore the neighborhood if you have half an hour to spare. - Don't let your clothes be too extreme. Dress in a business-like way. - It's polite to knock before you enter an office if the door is closed. - Don't smoke. - Don't put your handbag or briefcase on the interviewer's desk it creates a barrier between you. - Don't cross your arms and legs it looks as though you are withholding information. - Do sit still. Fidgeting with jewellery or shuffling your feet can e very distracting for the interviewer. - Don't exaggerate your abilities or achievements. You are likely to be found in the end. - Be ready with the basic facts and information about yourself your education, experience, interests and hobbies. - Do make a graceful exit. Thank your interviewer; walk to the door; don't rush. And if you can give him or her a smile as you leave the room, so much the better.