Unité 14: English for Job seeking

A good curriculum vitae is your first step to a job interview, but remember - a CV is not a job application. The aim of a CV is to present you in the best possible light. Your CV is probably the first impression a possible employer has of you, so it must be effective.

Here are some things to remember when you write your CV:

• Use good quality white paper. Never print on both sides.
• Use positive language when you speak about past work experience and skills.
• Find out as much as possible about the job and company and make sure your skills, interests and experience match the job profile.
• Put your education and career in reverse order, placing the most recent first.
• Give an explanation for any gaps in your career.
• Describe your responsibilities and tasks in previous jobs. Be careful not to lie or exaggerate. You may get caught out in the interview.
• Give names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of at least two referees. Don't forget to tell them you are using them for a reference.
• Send a cover letter, less than one page long and don't simply repeat your CV.

If you have a disability, you must, like anybody else, prepare properly before an interview. Find out everything you can about the company. Re-read your application and try to anticipate the questions they will ask. Prepare some questions to ask them. Be positive about yourself and your abilities. You will need to convince the interviewer that you have the qualifications and motivation to do the job well, and that you will fit in with the company's organisational structure and the rest of the staff. Present yourself as a person with skills who happens to have a disability. Make your interviewer feel at ease about your disability. Remember, you want them to see that your disability can be accommodated. Explain how you can accomplish all the tasks related to the job, and explain, if necessary,. which cost-effective assistive technology you may need. You should dress smartly and leave home in plenty of time on the day of the interview. Be courteous to all the company employees. During the interview always look attentive. Never lie to anyone in an interview. Your body language, tone of voice or the words you use will probably give you away.

Job hunting is a full time job. Preferably 35 - 40 hours a week. Chances of getting a job are better with smaller companies than with large ones. Identify your skills in great detail, and in order of importance. Find out all you can about the organisation and show interest. Sell your skills, not your 'old' occupation or qualifications. Determine why you will be better at the job than other candidates. Discover alternative jobs where you can use the same skill. Don't limit yourself to one type of organisation for job openings. Don't just apply to your first choice.

Get as many other people as possible to help you look for a job. Be clean, well-dressed and alert. Show a potential employer you have the right attitude and skill. Don't be afraid of rejection. Be persistent. Never give up.

Don't limit yourself to one type of organisation for job openings. Don't just apply to your first choice. Get as many other people as possible to help you look for a job. Be clean, well-dressed and alert. Show a potential employer you have the right attitude and skill. Don't be afraid of rejection. Be persistent. Never give up.

Job hunting is a full time job. Preferably 35 - 40 hours a week. Chances of getting a job are better with smaller companies than with large ones. Identify your skills in great detail, and in order of importance. Find out all you can about the organisation and show interest. Sell your skills, not your 'old' occupation or qualifications. Determine why you will be better at the job than other candidates. Discover alternative jobs where you can use the same skill.