ENGL E102F Wk 11 Sess 2_L02

Academic Communication

Please complete the passage by inserting the words in the box in the appropriate blanks. Each word can be used once only.

Duration: 5 minutes

Oral practice

Two parts:

• oral presentation on the topic provided
• an interview on local current affairs

Oral practice

• organisation of your presentation
• logical flow of your ideas
• the use of 'while', 'on the contrary', etc to compare and contrast

Presentation:

• Two opposing views on a particular topic are provided.
• You will be given 10 minutes to prepare for your presentation. You can present with your notes but try not to rely on them.

Oral practice

Interview:

• The interview will start right after your presentation.
• That means there will not be any time for you to prepare for it.

Oral practice

Points to remember:

• Please refer to the handout for reference.

Oral practice

Two students will be chosen to have the whole oral exam today.

Will let you know the interview topics later.

Recap

Module 4

• Decoding the language used by hiring companies
• CV

A quick recap

We have gone over the employability skills and analysed job advertisement in order to find out what prospective employers want from the candidates.

A quick recap

We also try to decode the language use by hiring companies. Again we want to know what skills and attributes they are looking for.

A quick recap

We have listened to Kris, Affie and Rachel and got to know how to prepare a CV and what should be included in it.

Preparing a CV

A CV (curriculum vitae) is an outline of a person's educational and professional history.

Some important points mentioned about preparing a CV.

Preparing a CV

They include:

• Don't mention about age, owing to age discrimination.
• Everything in the CV should be true. Don't lie.
• Applicants need to know what they are looking for.

Preparing a CV

They include:

• It has to be tailor-made to impress the employers
• ECA involved, things they do in their spare time, skills and ability they have gained should be mentioned too.

Preparing a CV

They include:

• Don't forget to check grammar, spelling and punctuation, and put the most appropriate information first in bullet points.

Preparing a CV

They include:

• There should not be too much text.
• Don't put in cliché or anything for the sake of doing so.
• Decide whether or not to include a personal statement. It may be better to embed the information in the CV.

Preparing a CV

Prepare a CV for John Chau

Information to be included:

Preparing a CV

Prepare a CV for John Chau

Information to be included:

Preparing a CV

Prepare a CV for John Chau

Information to be included:

Preparing a CV

This information should be put under the following categories:

• Languages
• Hobbies and interests
• Referees

• Personal particulars
• Education and qualifications
• Work experience
• Other skills

Preparing a CV

Suggested answer:

Preparing a CV

Preparing a CV

Preparing a CV

Preparing a CV

Preparing a CV

Cover letter

• What is the purpose of a cover letter?
• What should be included in a cover letter?
• What is the format of a cover letter?

Listen to Kris, Affie and Rachel again. This time they talk about preparing a cover letter. Jot down the key ideas with the help of the guidelines.

Cover letter: purpose

Purpose(s)

• A cover letter is a highlight of one’s CV.
• It provides examples and fills gaps.
• It provides an opportunity to sell ourselves by highlighting our strengths, achievement, as well as information such as personal qualities that is not mentioned in the CV.

Cover letter: purpose

Writing style and structure

• It should be about one page with strong opening and closing.
• It is also a good indicator of your communicative skills, particularly your ability to articulate thoughts and structure a formal letter.

Cover letter: purpose

Messages

• It shows the alignment with the company in core visions and principles.

Way to stand out

• It can be done by including projects or work one involves with or things done with delight recently.

Cover letter: purpose

Summary

• A cover letter is a highlight of one’s CV. It provides examples and fills gaps. It shows the alignment in core visions and principles. A cover letter should be about one page with strong opening and closing. To stand out, one can include projects or work one involves with or things done with delight recently.

Cover letter: preparation

1. Make sure that you know what you are applying for. Read the job specification before you apply.

2. Make it professional. Your letter should be written in a formal tone.

3. Show that you are really enthusiastic about the job. Explain how the job interests you.

Cover letter: preparation

4. Tailor your cover letter to the employer or position. Highlight relevant experience to indicate suitability.

5. Research the company. Make sure you know their mission and vision.

6. Keep your letter short and simple in style. Employers do not have a lot of time to spend on reviewing applications.

Cover letter: components

Activity 4.11

Identifying components of a job application letter (P.25)

Generally, major components include:

• Recipient's name, position, department and the address of the prospective employer
• salutation
• Signature
• Subject line

• Applicant's contact information
• Body text
• Complimentary close
• Date of submission
• Endnote

Cover letter: components

Try to identify the major components of a standard job application letter.

Applicant's contact

information

Date of submission

Recipient's name

position, department

and the address of the

prospective employer

Cover letter: components

Salutation

Subject line

Body text

Cover letter: components

Complimentary close

signature

Endnote

Cover letter: components

Activity 4.12 Analysing a job application (P.26)

John Toh, a marketing major, applies for a summer internship programme. Comment on his letter in terms of content, language and organization.

Please do it at home and I will check the answers next Tuesday.

Cover letter: components

Activity 4.13

Mapping the job application (P.27)

It is a summary of the learning points. Please fill in the gaps.

indicate/state

recommend

Cover letter: components

present/sell/market

reasons

qualities/attributes

keywords

Cover letter: components

body

enclosing

attaching

A tailor-made one

Oral practice

The topics today will be

• Impacts of mass media in Hong Kong
• Medical blunders