1. Read the text, translate it and check your comprehension:

«How do you visualize the starting point of your future career, its prospects and possible changes?»

To begin with I’d like to say that at present I have a very vague idea about my future career and I am unable to give a detailed account of the activities it will involve. But as far as I can figure it out I’m going to send an application letter to a personnel officer and will be invited for an interview.

Of course, I will be very nervous and anxious, but still I’ll be able to think my strategy thoroughly, because doing well in an interview may be an important part of getting a good job. Everybody knows that, however, many young people fail to create that vital first impression because their appearance lets them down.

I will keep in mind that every applicant is very closely inspected, so a good business suit will be the right thing to wear. All my clothes won’t be scruffy or casual, but very well pressed and in good taste. I’ll carry my Curriculum Vitae and references in a special file. I’ll smile pleasantly and shake a hand firmly looking straight into the eyes of my interviewer.

As I said I’ll present my C.V. I know that in some offices it is expected to be handwritten and in some it must be word — processed. Most companies expect all the personal information to be entered on a standard application form, as they give a better impression of a candidate.

I’m sure that my knowledge of English will make me more advantaged than the others. I’ll also tell my future employers that I know word processing, typing and have some computer skills. Finally they’ll give me a job as a trainee and for some time I’ll be the junior person in a company. I’m fully conscious of the fact that I won’t earn very much but they’ll give me an organized help and advice. I may be as well send on training courses. Very soon I’ll get enough experience and starts moving up. Generally I’m not a very ambitious person, but at the age of 22 one should be able to provide a decent living and the family. As the Russian proverb says:

« A soldier, who doesn’t dream to be a general is no good».

That’s why I’ll work very hard. After my first year I hope to be given a substantial pay rise, and after two years I’ll be promoted and in some six or seven years I expect to be in charge of the whole department with several other employees under me. But most of all I’ll be motivated by work satisfaction, rather than by profit or good salary.

Actually at present it’s very difficult to predict anything but I understand that I can be dismissed if I won’t be honest, industrious and efficient. I hate the idea of being unemployed and accepting a part -time job so I’ll do my best not to be sacked or made redundant. Well, these are my visions of what my job and career will be like after I graduate from the college.

 

«Как вы представляете себе начало своей будущей карьеры, ее перспективы и возможные изменения?»

Для начала я хотел бы сказать, что в настоящее время у меня очень смутное представление о моей будущей карьере, и я не могу представить себе то, чем я буду заниматься. Но насколько я понимаю, я отправлю письмо-заявку сотруднику отдела кадров и меня пригласят на собеседование.

Конечно, я буду очень нервничать и беспокоиться, но все же я смогу тщательно продумать свою стратегию, потому что успешное прохождение собеседования может быть важной частью получения хорошей работы. Однако всем известно, что многим молодым людям не удается произвести такое жизненно важное первое впечатление, потому что их подводит внешний вид.

Я буду иметь в виду, что каждый соискатель проходит очень тщательную проверку, поэтому хороший деловой костюм будет важной частью. Вся моя одежда не будет потрепанной или небрежной, она будет хорошо выглажена и со вкусом. Я сохраню свое резюме и рекомендации в специальном файле. Я приятно улыбнусь и крепко пожму руку, глядя прямо в глаза интервьюеру.

Как я уже сказал, я представлю свой C.V. Я знаю, что в некоторых офисах предполагается, что это будет рукописный текст, а в некоторых — текстовый. Большинство компаний ожидают, что вся личная информация будет в стандартной форме заявки, поскольку она дает лучшее впечатление о кандидате.

Я уверен, что мои знания английского сделают меня более успешным, чем другие. Я также скажу своим будущим работодателям, что владею текстовым редактором, умею набирать текст и имею некоторые навыки работы с компьютером. Наконец, меня устроят стажером, и какое-то время я буду младшим в компании. Я понимаю, что я не буду много зарабатывать, но они окажут мне помощь и совет. Можно также отправить на учебные курсы. Очень скоро наберусь опыта и начну движение вверх по карьерной лестнице. Вообще я не очень амбициозный человек, но в 22 года человек должен быть в состоянии обеспечить достойную жизнь и семью. Как гласит русская пословица:

«Солдат, который не мечтает быть генералом, никуда не годится».

Вот почему я буду очень много работать. После первого года работы я надеюсь получить существенное повышение заработной платы, а через два года я получу повышение, а через шесть или семь лет я буду руководить всем отделом вместе с несколькими другими подчиненными. Но больше всего меня будет мотивировать удовлетворение работой, а не прибыль или хорошая зарплата.

На самом деле сейчас очень сложно что-либо предсказать, но я понимаю, что меня могут уволить, если я не буду честен, трудолюбив и работоспособен. Я ненавижу быть безработным и соглашаться на работу неполный рабочий день, поэтому я сделаю все возможное, чтобы меня не уволили. Что ж, это мое видение того, какой будет моя работа и карьера после того, как я закончу колледж.

2. Answer the following questions:

1. What is the first step when you’ve chosen your future occupation? The first step is to send an application letter to a personnel officer and will be invited for an interview.

2. What should one think about? You should think about strategy thoroughly, because doing well in an interview may be an important part of getting a good job.

3. What should every applicant keep in mind? He should keep in mind that every applicant is very closely inspected, so a good business suit will be the right thing to wear.

4. What skills is it preferable for an applicant to have? It is preferable to know word processing, typing and have some computer skills.

5. What kind of job can a beginner have? He will start as a trainee.

6. How can a beginner be promoted if he \she works hard? After his first year he hopes to be given a substantial pay rise, and after two years he’ll be promoted and in some six or seven years he expects to be in charge of the whole department with several other employees under him.

7. When can a person be dismissed? He can be dismissed if he won’t be honest, industrious and efficient.

3. Do you agree or not? Comment on the following statements.

1. It does not matter if you do well in an interview. I don’t agree with it. It’s very important if you do well in an interview.

2. Every applicant is usually closely inspected. I think that it is true, because every employer want to have a good worker.

3. You should learn how to behave during the interview. I agree that people should learn how to behave during the interview, because the first impression is quite important.

4. Only handwritten C.V.s are taken. I think that only handwritten C.V.s are taken, because it is easier to read them.

5. The knowledge of foreign languages is a great advantage. I absolutely agree with the statement. The knowledge of foreign languages is a great advantage. People who know English can easily understand foreigners.

6. Training courses are a must for young specialists. I think that training courses are a must for young specialists. They can learn much in order to be a good specialist.

7. Everybody is planning to be promoted. Every person likes to have better job and it is normal.

4. What do you think? Give the reason for your opinion.

1. An interview is an important part of getting a good job. Interviewing is an important step in the employee selection process. If done effectively, the interview enables the employer to determine if an applicant’s skills, experience and personality meet the job’s requirements

2. Many young people fail to achieve the first impression. The first impressions individuals give to others could greatly influence how they are treated and viewed in many contexts of everyday life.

3. The young applicants at first usually have a job of a trainee or a junior person. The main role of a Trainee is to gain experience of all aspects of their selected career. These people can learn all required skills for their future jobs by doing different real work duties.

4. The wages of the beginners are usually low. I think that beginners should have higher wages, because it is a good motivation.

5. Most people are motivated by work satisfaction. Job satisfaction is an individual’s emotional response to his or her current job condition, while motivation is the driving force to pursue and satisfy one’s needs.

6. It is reasonable to save for a rainy day today. I think it is true. There may be a situation when you need money.

5. Read this dialogue and make up your own one:

«IN THE SEARCH OF A JOB»

Manager: Good morning, Miss Evans. I’m Michael Daymond, the manager of this shop.

Evans: How do you do, Mr. Daymond.

M.: Please, sit down. Now, you’re interested in the job of a shop assistant. Have you ever worked as a shop assistant?

E.: Well, no. I’ve never actually worked as a shop assistant but I helped in a shop during my school holiday.

M.: Good, fine. So, you’re Alice Evans. How old are you?

E.: I’m 19.

M: Well, what school did you go to?

E.: London High School.

M.: I see. What exams have you passed?

E.: English and maths.

M.: Can you speak any foreign languages?

E.: Yes, French and German.

M.: What is your present job?

E.: I work as a receptionist in a small hotel.

M.: How long have you been working there?

E.: For six months. You see, I left school last year.

M.; Why do you want this job?

E.: Well, I like working with people and I think I can be useful to them.

M.: I see. What is your hobby?

E.: I like swimming and cycling.

M.: And what about your health? Do you smoke?

E.: No, I don’t smoke. I’ve got no major illnesses and I had no operations.

M.: Good. Well, thank you very much, Miss Evans. If we want to see you again, we’ll let you know.

We’ll be in touch with you, one way or other. Thank you for coming to see us.

E.: Thank you .

M.: Good bye.

A: I was wondering if you could help me use the Student Job Center.
B: There are many ways; what kind of job would you like?
A: I want to work in a restaurant.
B: Fine! Will you need part-time or full-time work?
A: I want to work part-time.
B: Fine, the two best ways are to use our local listings binders over there or you can use the computers with the Internet job listing sites. See them over there?
A: Yes, I know what to do.
B: Well, in addition, you can schedule an appointment with a job counselor on this list. If you would like to do that, sign here, OK?
A: Yes, I think that would be great.
B: Fine, well the job search tools are all here for you to use. Feel free to look around and use what works best for you. Have fun with it!

6. Read the text and try to understand it:

«MY FURTHER EDUCATION»

I’m lucky to be a student of the Perm Higher School of Railway Transport Study, because it offers a lot of opportunities to continue our education. First of all, our institute is affiliated to the Ural State University of Railway Transport. It has many faculties and provides good education in the fields of mathematics, physics, electronics and information technologies. It’s not difficult to enter this university for the students of our institute, because we get profound knowledge in these subjects.

As for me, I want to become a computer programmer. I’m interested in computers. It is whole new world. My hobby is computer games and computer programming. I have a computer at home and spend hours working at it. The profession of a programmer can give many opportunities. Computers are the most rapidly changing sphere of modern technology. We are living in the age of information. I think that the future is filled with computers. In England or the USA people can work, go shopping or even go on dates sitting at their computers. But in our country, computers have been used just for a short time.

So after finishing college I want to enter the university and continue to study computer science. I believe this specialty is really needed in our country. I hope my dream will come true sooner or later.

7. Give Russian equivalents for the following words and expressions:

vocational schools; to bring somebody satisfaction; to follow the advice; to get good education; to be interested in something; to give opportunities; to be the most rapidly changing sphere; to go on dates.

 

профессиональные училища; доставить кому-то удовольствие; следовать совету; получить хорошее образование; интересоваться чем-то; давать возможности; быть самой быстро меняющейся сферой; ходить на свидания.

8. Read the dialogue, finish it, please:

A: Choosing a future career isn’t easy, is it?

B: No, it isn’t, yet it is one of the most important decisions you will make in your life. Find the right career and you’ll be happy and successful.

A: There are a lot of different professions to choose. What can help us to make the right choice?

B: I think it’s important to consider all factors. For many people money is the most important factor when they choose a job. In this case you should choose your future occupation among the best –paid jobs.

A: And what are they?

B: In my opinion, the best -paid jobs in Russia are a bank manager, an accountant, a programmer and a dentist.

A: I’m sure that everybody wants to earn as much as possible, but for me choosing a career is not only a matter of future prestige and wealth. To my mind a job should be interesting and socially important.

B: You are quite right! It’s very important to choose a profession that suits your interests. Then start with yourself! Explore your interests, talents and abilities. Besides, you should take into account your traits of character.

A: I am really interested in Psychology. I enjoy working with people. I have always wanted to be a psychologist.

B: Then I can advise you to choose the profession of a psychologist.

A: But it also has disadvantages, doesn’t it?

B: Of course, each job has its pros and cons. It takes time and it is a hard job.

A: I’ll think it over and discuss my choice with my parents. They will help me.