Business english writing - Masterclass International School 2020

People jobs

Pre-reading activity A

Before reading the article below, answer the following question:

How important is a career in your life?

After having a look at the glossary below, move on to the reading activity:

GLOSSARY:

Reading activity A

Best Careers for the Future - what is the best future job career?

Many websites will try to tell you which careers offer the best prospects for the future. Their choices are usually based on percentage growth statistics for recent years, which are a clear indicator of where the numbers of jobs are increasing.

However, this does not reflect other concerns such as which careers pay best, which jobs are easiest to obtain, which need the longest periods of undergraduate and postgraduate study, and so on. Despite this, some general trends hold true on a general level.

Future career trends

It is no surprise that one of the fastest growing areas of employment in recent years relates to computer technology. Technological advance and the continued integration of IT and digital communications into the workplace throughout the private, public and voluntary sectors ensures that this trend will continue for some time. Systems analysts, designers and developers, computer programmers, web developers, consultants and information managers reflect the range of these career areas. Hardware engineers are also needed, working in infrastructure construction and repair, fibre, cable, satellites, etc.

Another guaranteed growth area is the healthcare sector. The increasing number of healthcare jobs is directly attributable to the growing age of the population — people are living longer so there are more people in the older age groups — and the expansion of treatments available for medical conditions, whether delivered in the primary healthcare sector or within hospitals. Consequently, there is also an expansion in the number of administrative and support roles needing to be filled.

Other careers deemed to be ’hot’ future career prospects relate to areas of scientific advance, and in particular the “bio” sciences, such as biotechnology. Tissue engineers and gene programmers have been highlighted, but all skill levels are included — as companies grow, so does their administration infrastructure. Other new scientific areas include nanotechnology and energy technology.

Demographic changes are leading to other needs in addition to healthcare. Teaching and tourism, training and development, and care of the elderly are all areas where openings are set to increase, as are financial advisors.

Services that already exist will grow further as the population ages. Standard professions include the legal sector, police, teachers, tutors, etc. Meanwhile, there is a general return amongst certain income sectors of paying for domestic support with the services of maids and cleaners, drivers, etc. This is increasingly common as the higher divorce levels yield more one-parent families.

New services are developing that are opening out into recognized career fields. Many of these are provided directly to the consumer. Counselling and various complementary therapies are obvious examples, as well as physical training instructors and coaches.

Post-reading activity A 1 (Comprehension)

Answer the following questions about the article:

1.How do most websites provide you information about the best job careers?

2.Is there any information that is often neglected by these types of websites?

3.Are there good prospects of employment in computer technology?

4.Why is the healthcare sector increasing?

5.Are there any ’hot’ careers in science?

6.Why is the area of domestic support likely to grow?

Post-reading activity A 2 (Vocabulary)

Match the words on the left to their definitions on the right:

A.Systems analyst1.Develop, design, and test various computer equipment.

B.Web developer 2.Prevents and detects crime, and maintains public order.

C.Hardware engineer3.Researches problems, plans solutions, recommends software and systems

D.Policeman 4.Provides education for pupils and students

E.Tissue engineer5.Guides or advises but he/she can also be a talk therapist

F.Financial advisor 6.Cleans homes or offices for payment

G.Teacher 7.Repairs or replaces parts of or whole tissues (bone, blood vessels, skin, muscle etc.).

H.Cleaner 8.Renders financial services to clients (brokers, investment advisers, accountants, insurance agents and financial planners)

I.Counsellor 9.Is a programmer who specialises in the development of World Wide Web applications

Post-reading activity A 3 (Speaking)

Explain the meaning of the following quote and say whether you agree or not:

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” — Confucius

Grammar revision

FUTURE SIMPLE

I WILL CLEAN

(Action decided at the time of speaking; predictions; offering, promising or asking to do something)

The future simple is often associated with: probably, (I) think, (I) don’t think, (I) am sure, (I) wonder

Technological advance ensures that this trend will continue for some time.

Services that already exist will grow further as the population ages.

Many websites will try to tell you which careers offer the best prospects for the future

Perhaps as many as three stores will be open by the end of the first year

By not giving your full attention to the team, they will feel second rate and less motivated.

Avoiding these common traps will help business leaders create lasting motivation for their teams

If you don’t have objectives you often won’t produce anything

Maybe I will be successful, maybe I will not.

Subject + will (’ll) + Base form of verb

Will + Subject + Base form of verb

Subject + will + not (won’t) + Base form of verb

There are other forms to express the future in English depending on the nuance of meaning you want to give to the sentence:

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

We have arranged to do something, to go somewhere, to meet someone (personal arrangements):

He’s meeting some clients tomorrow evening

I’m not working tomorrow so we can go to the mall.

He’s leaving tomorrow at 6 am for Milan

PRESENT SIMPLE

We talk about programmes and timetables (public transport, TV shows, concerts). We also use the present simple when people’s plans are fixed like timetables:

The plane leaves at 6.30 from Gatwick airport.

The concert starts at 8.30 pm

It’s Sunday tomorrow

I finish my swimming lesson at 7 tomorrow.

TO BE GOING TO

We use this form when we have decided (but not arranged) to do something, we intend to do something:

I’m going to talk to Susan tomorrow. Today she looked a little disappointed.

There’s an interesting documentary on TV this evening. Are you going to watch it?

Your car is really old and unsafe! — Yes, I’m going to buy a new one soon

Reading activity B

Executive Assistant

Employer: Noxam Group Ltd.

Posted: 8 January 2013

Location: Central London

Function: Secretarial

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full Time

Salary: £23,000

JOB ADVERT

Are you fond of the arts, culture and luxury brands?

Do you have proven office management, client relationship and research skills?

Can you respond to a fast paced, entrepreneurial and varied work environment?

Do you have first-rate organisational, administrative and communication skills?

Are you keen to transfer these skills and experience to a boutique consultancy with a strong arts focus?

ABOUT US

Founded in 2001, Noxam Group is an independent business that creates high-level alliances between global corporations and world-class cultural institutions and artists. We serve our clients by designing and implementing inventive campaigns that provide major return on investment. Across our work, our core knowledge lies in strategy and organisational development, the creation of unique brand development partnerships, and the establishment of long-term, sustainable income generation.

THE OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking a professional with established experience of office administration, diary management, research and client relationship management relating to arts, management consulting, financial services, luxury brands or consumer goods. The person will predominantly support the Managing Director in all aspects of her work, including personal administration and philanthropic activity. You will also support Noxam Group’s business development processes, including researching target clients and attending meetings and pitches. You will be supporting a small, active team to deliver for corporate and cultural clients.

THE PERSON

Qualified with a strong track record in office administration with excellent written and oral communications skills. You will have a strong interest in marketing, brand and communications, with a good understanding of both the corporate and cultural world. You need to be adaptable, able to think on your feet and show initiative. You will be a first rate communicator and be able to engage confidently with clients and artists. Goal orientated, you will be at ease working as part of a small company in a fast paced environment that has a strong team spirit.

A passion for the arts is essential.

Post-reading activity B 1 (Comprehension)

Answer the following questions about the job advert:

1.Which skills are required in the job advert?

2.What does the Company do?

3.Which opportunities are offered by Noxam Group?

4.What kind of person are they looking for?

Post-reading activity B 2 (Speaking)

Study the candidates’ profiles below and then discuss with your classmates about the best employee for Noxam. Practice each possible solution as you role-play with your classmates:

Supplementary activity

How to write a good cv

A good cv is needed when you are looking for a job. A well written curriculum vitae will help you make you more visible and possibly get that interview you are eager to have. Here you will find advice on how to structure your cv, without leaving out important details and filling it with useless information just to use space.

Personal details

Work experience

Achievements

Education

Hobbies and interests

References

Grammar exercises

1. Read the following sentences and then add them to the table below:

1.I think the economy will recover by the end of this year

2.I’m going to study Russian next year since it is a very important language.

3.We’re flying to Moscow on Monday.

4.Are you going to leave the company this year?

5.John is going to leave tonight

6.The train leaves at 5

7.Our Chinese boss is visiting us this Easter

8.Do you think the company will close down?

9.Next year I’m going to stop smoking

10.She will probably be promoted and given a pay rise

2. Fill in the gaps with the correct future tense:

1) The bus ___________at 9:35. (to pass)

2) I __________dinner with Susan on Saturday. (to have)

3) It __________in the Apennines in the weekend. (to snow)

4) On Friday at 10.30 I ______________my cousin. (to meet)

5) He _______________to Berlin on Monday morning. (to fly)

6) Don’t worry! I _________________you to the station. (to take)

7) The film ______________at 9:15. (to start)

9) I don’t think it_____________. (to rain)

10) You look busy! I _______________the phone for you. (to answer)

Supplementary activity 1 (Listening)

You can find many examples of job interviews on the internet. If you go to Youtube you will be able to find many and it will be a very good exercise to improve your listening skills. Moreover, you will be able to learn some useful tips to be used when having a job interview. You could start from the following:

“Job Interview Tips & Techniques: How to Prepare for a First Impression”

“Job Interview Tips - Job Interview Questions and Answers”

“How To Find A Job During A Recession”