A) In each set of five below, match a verb on the left with a noun on the right to make collocations for describing skills and qualities

1. Take 2. Make 3. Be 4. Work 5. Build 6. Work 7. Make 8. Manage 9. Possess 10. Take on

a) a commitment to b) initiative c) good working d) a good listener e) to strict deadlines f) a busy workload g) ownership h) closely with i) a valuable contribution to j) strong negotiating skills

b) Use eight of the collocations in a) to complete the sentences below. Change the verb form if necessary.

1. I enjoy taking initiative, and I keep my promises; when I ______ to a project, I always deliver.

2. I have a lot of experience in _____ both product development and sales teams, and can adapt to their different working styles.

3. I have excellent organizational skills, and I hate being late - so I have no problem with ______.

4. I liaise with government officials: fortunately, I _______.

5. I’m used to ______; I’m good at multitasking, and coping with pressure is no problem.

6. I often _____ of projects with multi-million dollar budgets.

7. I believe I can ______ any work group.

8. I ______, so I build good working relationships with colleagues.

c) Which two answers in b) could you give to each of these questions?

1. Are you able to take responsibility?

2. Are you a good communicator?

3. Are you a good time manager?

4. Are you a good team worker?

11. a) Discuss why you agree or disagree with the following statements about writing CVs or resumes.

1. You should always state your career objective.

2. You should list five or six people who can be contacted for a reference.

3. You should never use more than one page.

4. You should describe your experience first, then your qualifications.

b) Decide in what order you expect the following categories to occur in a CV. Then read the CV below to check.

work experience, references, personal details, qualifications, voluntary roles / positions of responsibility, general / additional skills

Date of birth	29 April 1985
Nationality	British
Current address (until 30 June)	27 Keats Road, London SE4 3KL Tel: 020 8088 8965
Permanent address	247 Newmarket Road, Norwich NR4 1ET Tel: 01603 443143
EDUCATION
2004 - 2007	BA in Business Studies at Chelsea School of Business (Exam results to date 2:2; Expected final grade 2:1)
2001 - 2003	Norwich School: 3 'A' levels: Economics (A), Maths (B), History (C) Norwich
1997 - 2001	School: 10 GCSEs, including Maths and English
WORK HISTORY
Jan – June 2006	Work placement, Atherton Consultants I played an integral part in a team of consultants working on IS projects. This position required familiarity with networking solutions and Web design and involved liaising with a client’s parent company in Germany
July-Sept 2005	Vacation Trainee, Jardine, White & Partners I coordinated an office reorganization project
2003-2004	Sales Assistant, Kaufhaus des Westens, Berlin I was responsible for managing the outdoor exhibition of camping equipment. I ran a language training programme for members of the department
POSITION AND RESPONSIBILITY
2005 - 2006	President of CSB Students’ Union I represented over 400 members in faculty meetings and organized and chaired conferences with visiting speakers.
2005 to present	Captain of CSB Squash Team I run training sessions and am responsible for organizing matches and motivating the team.
OTHER
	Fluent German Advanced computer literacy: Office software, networking and Web design 3rd trombone In the London Students’ Jazz Orchestra Clean driving licence
REFERENCES
	See next page

c) Read the CV again. How has Robert formulated the following information in more appropriate language?

1. I sometimes phoned people in Germany.

2. I’m good with computers.

3. I was the contact for the removal company for the transfer to new offices.

4. I gave some colleagues some English lessons.

5. I spoke on behalf of 400 students in meetings with teachers.

6. I was the general assistant to the computer consultants.

7. I sold tents.

8. I had to learn how to set up a LAN.

9. I’m the only member of the team who believes we can win.

10. My job was to introduce the speakers and thank them at the end.

d) Using the headings in Robert Khan’s CV as a model, decide where to put each piece of information below. Then write the CV, presenting the information appropriately and using relevant language and expressions.

-Voluntary work since 2005 - OUTLOOK, charity for disabled children - parties, visits, etc..

-play violin in string quartet

-University basketball team – my job to bring drinks

-2001-2004 Northern High School ‘A’ level Maths (A), Economics (B), French (B)

-Secretary, Newcastle Junior Chamber of Commerce in 2.006 - minutes of meetings, monthly newsletter, etc.. Sometimes phoned VIPs to invite to receptions, etc..

-June-Sept 2004- holiday job, Newcastle Social Security, entered personnel data into new HR management software. Confidential, very boring. Visitor from. Spanish, government, three days.

-References - tutor, Mr. Bowers, Newcastle University, Mrs Broadbent

-Typing speed 90 wpm

-14 Green Street, Newcastle NEI3 gBH Tel: 0l84 (221 769)

-Oct-Mar 2005 Internship Arbol Oil: Finance department, small jobs, learned accounts software, email -from S America

-Bilingual Spanish

-4 / 11 / 86, Auckland N2

-2004 - 2007 BA Economics, Newcastle 'University