Ex 2
Script
Interviewer: Good morning and welcome back to the show. The current job market is very competitive so to give any job seekers listening a helping hand we’ve got Charles Norris, a career coach, in the studio to tell us what we can do to stand out from the crowd. Welcome to the show, Charles.
Charles: Thank you, it’s good to be here.
Interviewer: Now, first off, what do you do in your role as a career coach?
Charles: As a career coach, my job is to identify which aspects of a client’s job-hunting skills are weak and empower them to take charge of their career aspirations in order for them to fulfil their potential and find, and hopefully secure, the right position. I give them advice on their CV, covering letters, online profiles and interview techniques. I also assist in job searches but I don’t find them a job. I can help them discover what it is they want, and give them the tools to get it, but ultimately, they have to put in the legwork.
Interviewer: OK, well let’s talk a little bit about the advice you give clients. What would you say is necessary for a successful CV?
Charles: Well, when talking about the CV, I think the most important thing to remember is that it’s not complete without a covering letter. The covering letter should effectively be the first page of the CV and it should tell any prospective employer when they read it all they need to know about you. The CV is there to fill in the details and give more background information. One of the biggest mistakes that applicants make is writing a blanket covering letter and CV. Because this is what employers will build their first impression on, it should be tailored to the job.
Interviewer: What do you mean by that?
Charles: I mean that for each position you apply for you should have a different CV and covering letter containing the information about you which is specifically relevant to the job. For example, if you are applying for a job as a computer programmer in a company that uses a certain programming software there’s no point in detailing your experience in a different software no matter how extensive it might be. That can be included as a footnote but not as a main selling point. To do this, it’s a good idea to go through the job description in the advert you are replying to and see how your skills and personality fills the requirement of the position.
Interviewer: And what about sending an email CV? Is that acceptable?
Charles: Of course. Everything is online now so why not. Actually, a person’s online presence is an important factor when job hunting. Where the Internet was once a revolution in socialising, it is now equally important when looking for a job. Employers will often search for applicants they are interested in to find more information about them so you should ensure that whatever they might find is suitable and that anything inappropriate is removed. The Internet is a wonderful tool for today’s job-seekers. A number of my clients use a business orientated networking site to find out about jobs and companies.
Interviewer: Really? They’re that important?
Charles: Oh yes! They are an essential networking tool and networking is key to finding a job. They’re also a key resource for recruiters so it’s worth taking the time to make sure you include key words in your profile and the details you include show what you have to offer and reflect your personality. Especially in the headline. The headline is the only thing users see if they conduct a search so you have to make it count. I had a client who posted a very catchy headline and he was snapped up by a company within two weeks. And, of course, you can upload your CV so anyone reading your profile can read it if they choose.
Interviewer: OK, now what about the all-important interview? They can be a nerve-racking experience so how do you prepare your clients for them?
Charles: Again, research is important here. You have to find out as much information as you can about the company, their client base and also their competitors. This is especially important when it comes to the question about why you want to work for them, which they will undoubtedly ask. You can also search for frequently asked interview questions and prepare answers for them in case they come up. And you should always make sure that you have a selection of questions to ask the interviewer about the work, the company, anything really to show your interest.
Interviewer: Well, I’m afraid that’s all we’ve got time for. Thank you so much, Charles. I’m sure you’ve given our listeners a lot to think about.
do the legwork To do the physically or mentally demanding work required to accomplish something.
E.g.
I'm sure you'll be able to find a good job, but you've got to do the legwork. One isn't going to just fall into your lap!
blanket (adj.) including or affecting all possible cases, situations or people.
E.g.
a blanket ban on tobacco advertising
What I object to most is the blanket opposition to change
a blanket covering letter and CV
tailored: made or done specially for someone’s particular need or situation.
E.g.
tailored financial advice
extensive: including or dealing with a wide range of information. Sp. amplio.
E.g.
Extensive research has been done into this disease.
His knowledge of music is extensive.
She has extensive experience in computers
footnote: an extra piece of information that is given at the bottom of a page, below the main text. Sp. nota a pie de página.
E.g.
In a footnote it says that the money was later found. Sp. En una nota a pie de página dice que después encontraron el dinero.
selling point: a feature of something that makes people want to buy or use it. Sp. gancho comercial, ventaja.
E.g.
The price is obviously one of the main selling points. Sales departments try to identify a product's USP or ‘unique selling point’
Small classes are a selling point for private schools
Online presence refers to all activity and content that an entity—a person or a business—has under their name on the internet. This includes accounts, assets, interactions, and any pieces of information created by or about the person or business.
recruiter: /rɪˈkruːtə(r)/ a person whose job is to find new people to join a company, an organization, the armed forces, etc.
make it count: to make something have as useful and positive an effect as possible. To ensure that some action has the most beneficial or effective result possible.
E.g.
You only get one chance, so you have to make it count. (Sp. aprovéchala)
snap something up [often passive] (informal) to buy or obtain something quickly because it is cheap or you want it very much. Sp. venderse como pan caliente.
E.g.
All the best bargains were snapped up within hours.
(figurative) She's been snapped up by Hollywood to star in two major movies
nerve-racking (also nerve-wracking) making you feel very nervous and worried.
E.g.
Speaking in public can be a nerve-wracking experience.
Fran faced a nerve-racking wait for her test results
It was a nerve-racking drive up the mountain
client base the regular customers that a business has. Sp cartera de clientes.
E.g.
Our client base has grown from 10 companies to more than 500.
a large/extensive/growing client base
widen/broaden/expand your client base
when it comes to (doing) something: when it is a question of something. With regard to.
E.g.
When it comes to getting things done, he's useless.
I love to read, but I have trouble when it comes to studying science. Sp. Me encanta leer, pero tengo problemas cuando se trata de estudiar ciencia.
come up: to be mentioned or discussed. Sp. surgir, mencionarse, salir, aparecer.
E.g.
The subject came up in conversation.
The question is bound to come up at the meeting.
