Reading: Overview of Unit 3

Welcome to Unit 3 of English for Career Development! Writing for job applications
requires a specific style and voice. A job seeker needs to understand how to write
clearly and concisely, connect one’s skills to the job description, and follow standard
format guidelines. To develop these skills, video lectures will break down both the
different parts of a cover letter and individual sentences for style and voice. Video
lectures and articles will help students understand these ideas. At the end of the unit,
students will choose a job from a list provided and write a cover letter to apply for
that job.
By the end of this week, you will:
● Become familiar with the structures and format of cover letters and
standard business letters
● Identify new fundamental vocabulary, and practice using that new
vocabulary in course activities
● Read, watch, and listen to a variety of texts and multimedia sources. Show
us that you understand these texts and key course ideas through
comprehension check quizzes
● Identify and practice using past tense and present perfect verbs, sentence
structure with time words, and controlling tone with modal verbs.

Parts of a cover letter

A cover letter is included with your resume to introduce you to the possible employer.
Your cover letter is the place to describe your skills and show your interest in the
position. It's a chance to show achievements that would make you a perfect
candidate for the job.
Always send a cover letter with your resume unless the job advertisement says not
to do so. But it is important that you don’t use the same letter for each job. You need
to write a special letter for each job you are applying for.
Include these important parts in your cover letter:

Heading and greeting

Include your name and your contact information, the date, and the receiver’s name,
title, and address. Write the letter to a specific person whenever possible (Dear
Mr./Ms./ Dr./ Smith). If you aren’t sure of the gender, use the person’s full name
(Dear Pat Smith). If you can't find an individual's name, use the job title of the
receiver (Maintenance Supervisor, Office Manager), or perhaps "Human Resources"
or "Search Committee." Do not address your letter to a business, a department, or
"To Whom It May Concern."

Opening and introduction

Explain who you are and your reason for writing. Include the name of the position to
which you are applying and how you learned out about the job opening. This
information can be found in the job advertisement. Use the first paragraph to express
your energy, excitement, skills, education, and work experience that could contribute
to the employer's success.

Body

When applying for a specific position, use the job description as a guide. Use 2-3
specific examples to describe why you are a perfect match for the position. Briefly
summarize your skills and experience shown in those specific examples. Explain
why you have chosen the employer and what you can add to the organization.

Closing

Ask for a chance to interview in person. Tell the employer how and when you will
follow-up, by phone or email within 2 weeks. You can also tell them the best way to
contact you. Thank the person for taking the time to read your letter. Use an
appropriate closing, such as “Sincerely.” Applicants put their signature (handwritten
name) between the word “Sincerely” and their printed name.

Adapted from CareerOneStop. (n.d.) Cover Letters. Web:

http://www.careeronestop.org/JobSearch/Resumes/cover-letters.aspx
(Enlaces a un sitio externo.)

Reading: Why an Old-Fashioned

Cover Letter Still Matters
We have reinvented a lot of everyday tools in the last 20 years or so. The growth of
the Web has transformed business communication into the electronic transfer of
data. Phones have become indispensable digital tools that have expanded the walls
of today’s office and allowed us to work virtually anywhere. In their wake, formerly
cutting edge tools such as the fax machine and the paper résumé have virtually
disappeared from business.
Has the same thing happened to the résumé cover letter? In a world of casual emails
and texts, does today’s job seeker really need to bother writing up a separate
document that, in some ways, duplicates much of what’s already in the digital
résumé?
I’ll answer this legitimate query by way of another question: Has the cell phone and
the online job application replaced the smile and a handshake upon first meeting a
new interviewer? Of course not. Humans have not (yet) devolved into robotic data
ports that exchange information digitally, like so many server farms. We need to
have a way to introduce ourselves in narrative form and grab the attention of the
hiring manager at the most crucial time: usually the first point of contact.
Even if an employer doesn’t ask for one, write up a cover letter anyway, because it
gives the job seeker the opportunity to:

Explain any potential résumé gaps.

If you’ve been out of work for an extended period, a cover letter can be used to
address what you’ve been doing with your time and how you’ve been keeping up
with people in your industry.

Develop a rapport.

This can be a chance to express a little of your individuality or personality. In a good

cover, you have the chance to mention not just your qualifications, but also what first
caught your eye about the job listing and why you want to work there, specifically.

Customize your application.

While many companies and recruiters say they rely on LinkedIn to get a quick
overview of your qualifications, a cover letter is your chance to make a direct
connection with a hiring manager – something a static social media profile can never
do. Try to briefly explain how your qualifications are suited to the job in particular, so
that the cover letter and résumé can work together.
The cover letter is an old-fashioned idea that seems to have gone the way of the
manila envelope and water-marked business stationery. It may now be little more
than a couple of introductory paragraphs in an e-mail or a digital form, but a cover
letter is still a vital way to get across the message “I’m the perfect, most enthusiastic
person for this job” in the most efficient manner.
Randy Woods is a writer and editor in the Puget Sound business publishing arena
and a veteran of the local job-search scene. Email him at
[email protected].

Woods, R. (2016, March 07). Why an old-fashioned cover letter still matters.

Retrieved from https://www.seattletimes.com/explore/careers/why-an-old-fashioned-

cover-letter-still-matters/
Enlaces a un sitio externo.
Reading: 8 Common Cover Letter
Mistakes to Avoid
Nowadays, your cover letter is kind of like a spare tire. You want to have it with you
just in case you need some backup.
We live in a world where 90% of hiring managers don’t read cover letters, yet 53% of
employers admit that they prefer candidates who send a cover letter. Meaning, your
cover letter is positively acknowledged, but it probably won’t get read.
…So if nobody’s reading it, why bother?
Because anything that sets you apart from the candidates you’re up against is an
absolute must.
For example, if a company is wavering on your application, they may read your cover
letter as an effort to get more background on you. This could mean they’re passing
your resume up the chain and want to learn more about you before they decide to
give you the green light… Or it could mean they have a small stack of resumes on
hand and are looking for a way to weed someone out, in which case they’d read a
select few cover letters to see if there’s any stark errors that permit them to throw a
candidate out of the running. 48% of hiring managers will throw out a cover letter
that’s not customized, and 49% will toss out a cover letter with spelling errors.
You’ve got to weed people out somehow.
That being said, it’s important to know which cover letter errors could cost you the
interview. Here are a few common cover letter mistakes to avoid.

1. Focusing too much on yourself

The company you’re applying to is hiring because they need someone to do

something for them. Meaning that above all else, they want to know what it is that
you can do for the company. While it’s key to share your accomplishments, get in
touch with why you’re able to fill the void that they have in place. Then make your
achievements known in a way that lends well to the duties of the position.

2. Sharing all the details of every single job you’ve ever had

Depending on your job history, this could translate into a very crowded and
confusing cover letter. Instead of focusing in on each position you’ve ever held, ask
yourself: What experience do I have that’s relevant to the job I’m seeking? Tailor
your cover letter to speak to those skills instead of giving a full synopsis of your time
at each position.

3. Writing about something uncomfortable

Your cover letter is not the place to tell your potential new boss about the recent
struggles you’ve faced. Don’t go into why you were laid off or fired from a job, or why
you recently relocated to a new city. Candidates need to focus on the now.
Employers want current information. Why you were laid off or quit is not important,
and will be seen as a red flag. Your intention to address an issue can and will come
across more as shining a spotlight on your insecurities. Focus on achievement and
the job at hand.

4. Writing a novel

Nothing is worse than a long, novel-like cover letter that makes the hiring manager
tired just looking at it. Almost 70% of employers
Enlaces a un sitio externo.
prefer a cover letter that’s half a page or less. Keep your cover letter concise and to
the point.

5. Rehashing your resume

The hiring manager has already read your resume in order to pre-qualify you as
someone whose cover letter should be read. Do not just vomit your resume out
entirely. They’ll know, and they’ll hold it against you.

6. Being too trite

Phrases like, “I’d like to apply for a job at…” or “I believe I am the perfect candidate
for this position,” will make people cringe. Avoid trite comments like calling yourself a
“team player.” Instead, be more specific and provide examples of how you work well
as part of a team.

7. Being a super fan of the company

Don’t waste your cover letter talking about how much you love the company in an
over the top way. Use your cover letter to tell the company how you’ll serve them. It’s
great to flatter them, but don’t go overboard and get all Swimfan on them.

8. Typos

This one sounds simple enough, but when you’re applying to many jobs or are just
exhausted, mistakes can happen that end up costing you the interview. In fact, 70%
of hiring managers say they’d automatically dismiss a cover letter with a typo. Triple
check that you’ve addressed your cover letter to the right person, and that everything
is spell checked and grammar correct.
Not sending a cover letter is as irresponsible to your career as driving without a
spare tire is to your well-being.
You wouldn’t take a road trip without having a spare tire. Don’t set out on your job
search without having all the back up you need to get you to where you want to be.

Stahl, A. (2016, January 12). 8 Common Cover Letter Mistakes To Avoid. Retrieved
May 20, 2020, from
https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashleystahl/2016/01/08/8-common-cover-letter-
mistakes-to-avoid/
Enlaces a un sitio externo.

Reading: Five Illegal Job Interview

Questions in the US
Reproducir comentario multimedia.
The three most stressful situations in life are said to be ending a marriage, dealing
with death and moving to a new home. Many people would add one more
experience to that list – a job interview.
Finding a good job is difficult enough. Add to that the fact that employers may ask
some very personal questions during a job interview. In the United States, it is illegal
for employers to raise some of these issues.
See how they compare to job interviews in your country.
In a job interview, you must show your best side. You must sell yourself and show
the interviewer that you are the best candidate for the job.
To do this you must answer question after question. A prospective employer will
want to know about your skills, qualifications, past work experiences, and goals.
The interviewer is the person asking the questions. Interviewers want to learn as
much as they can about the interviewee, the person seeking employment. This can
cause an uneven balance of power and lead to some difficult questions. In the
United States, a few of those questions are not just difficult, they are illegal.
There are many websites that offer advice on careers and how to prepare for a job
interview. You may have used some of these sites, such as Monster.com
andLinkedIn.
The following five areas showed up in all the reports and lists I examined during my
recent searches. All of these areas of questioning are considered illegal in the United
States.

1. Sex questions are off limits.

It is very easy for an interviewer to discriminate based on a person’s gender or sex.

If you are a woman, you may be asked, “Are you comfortable managing a team of
men?” If you are man you may be asked, “Would you feel comfortable having a
woman as a boss?”
In the United States, any question related to gender should not be raised during the
job interview. But if gender does come up, answer the question by stating your past
work experiences that show you can do the job, regardless of whether you are a
woman or a man.

2. Questions about marriage and children are illegal.

People with children love talking about them. But during a job interview it's not the
time. Questions such as, “Do you have children?” or “Do you plan to work after
having children?” are not legal to ask.
Naturally, future employers want to know how long you plan to be with them if you
are hired. Hiring people takes time and, as they say, time is money. But it is illegal to
not hire someone because they have children or are planning on having a child in
the future.
It is legal for a prospective employer to ask, “What hours can you work?” or “Do you
have responsibilities that might keep you from doing your job?” These questions are
legal because they are directly related to the job and not tied to your personal life.
Any question related to your marital status, whether you are married, is considered
illegal in the U.S. But they are common. Asking someone, “Are you married?” is a
loaded question, a question looking for more than what is simply asked. A question
about marriage is illegal because it may lead to information about your sexual
orientation -- whether you are gay, straight or bisexual. And that is no one’s business
but your own.

3. Your Citizenship and Nationality are private.

It is illegal for a U.S. business to hire someone who is not permitted to work in the
country. But the only way a company can explore the issue legally is to ask the
question directly - “Can you work legally in the United States?” Done.
If an interviewer asks things such as, “Where are you from?” or “Where were you
born?” they have, again, crossed into Illegal Land. These may seem like innocent
questions. But they are illegal because it involves your country of birth. Employers in
the U.S. cannot legally ask about your nationality.
This also extends to language. It is not the employer’s lawful right to know if a
language is your first language. However, they can legally ask what other languages
you know.

4. Asking about religion is a no-no.

Employers may want to ask which religious holidays you observe to see if it may
interfere with work. But questions about your religion are illegal.
Employers can legally ask if you can work on a Sunday, a day when many Christians
attend religious services.

5. Your Age is your business. Not theirs.

The question, “How long have you been working?” may seem fine. But this question
is all about age discrimination. It is also illegal for an interviewer to ask what year
you completed high school or college or even your birthday. It is easy enough to do
the math. It is legal for an interviewer to ask you how long you have been working in
a certain industry. Again, the question is tied to the job and not your personal life.
It can be difficult to answer personal questions during a job interview. After all, if you
want the job, you do not want to seem difficult. If a question seems illegal or just
makes you feel uneasy, simply direct the question back to the job and your
qualifications.
Of course, you do not have to answer any question that you feel is insulting or illegal.
This, however, may cost you the job.
In the end it is a personal decision. But always know your rights.
How do these employment laws in the U.S. differ from laws in your country? Let’s
talk about it … in the comment section.
I’m Anna Matteo.
*This report was based on online resources including Monster.com, LinkedIn,
HumanResourcesAbout.com and About.com/careers. Anna Matteo wrote this story
for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

Words in this Story

candidate – n. a person who is being considered for a job, position, award, etc.
qualification – n. a special skill or type of experience or knowledge that makes
someone suitable to do a particular job or activity
prospective – adj. likely to be or become something specified in the future
sexual orientation – n. the inclination of an individual with respect to heterosexual,
homosexual and bisexual behavior
discriminatory – adj. unfairly treating a person or group of people differently from
other people or groups of people. The noun is discrimination.
gender – n. the state of being male or female
hire – v. to give work or a job to someone in exchange for wages or a salary;
n.someone who has been hired for a job

Matteo, A. (2014, November 04). Five Illegal Job Interview Questions in the US.
Retrieved June 01, 2020, from
https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/five-illegal-job-interview-questions/
2492943.html
Enlaces a un sitio externo.
Reading: ADVANCED: Interview Tips
Job Interviews are your chance to sell your skills and abilities.

Job Interviews also give you a chance to find out if the job and company are right for
you. Follow the tips here to be successful in your interviews.

Review common interview questions.

Practice answering them with someone else or in front of a mirror. Come prepared
with examples or short stories that relate to the skills that the employer wants, while
emphasizing your:
● Strengths
● Flexibility
● Leadership skills
● Ability and interest to learn new things
● Additions to the organizations in which you have worked or volunteered
● Creativity in solving problems and working with people
Before the interview, know how well you qualify for the job. For each requirement
listed in the job advertisement, write down your qualifications. This can show you if
you don’t have a particular skill. Plan how you will talk about that in the interview to
persuade the interviewer that you can learn the skill.

Make a list of questions that you would like to ask during the
interview.

Pick questions that will demonstrate your interest in the job and the company. This
might include commenting on the news you learned from the company website, and
then asking a question related to it. Also ask questions about the job you will be
expected to perform, like:
● What are the day-to-day responsibilities of this job?
● How will my responsibilities and performance be measured? By whom?
● Could you explain your company structure?
● What computer equipment and software do you use?
● What is the organization's plan for the next five years?

Be prepared.

Remember to bring important items to the interview:

● Notebook and pens to take notes
● Extra copies of your resume and a list of references
● Copies of letter(s) of recommendation, licenses, transcripts, etc.
● Portfolio of work samples
On the day of the interview, remember to:
● Plan your schedule so you arrive 10 to 15 minutes early.
● Go alone.
● Look professional. Dress in a manner appropriate to the job.
● Leave your MP3 player, coffee, soda, or backpack at home or in your car.
● Turn off your cell phone.
● Bring your sense of humor and SMILE!

Display confidence during the interview.

Display confidence, but let the interviewer start the conversation. Send a positive
message with your body language.
● Shake hands firmly, but only if a hand is offered to you first.
● Maintain eye contact.
● Listen carefully. Welcome all questions, even the difficult ones, with a
smile.
● Give honest, direct answers.
● Develop answers in your head before you respond. If you don't
understand a question, ask for it to be repeated or clarified. You don't
have to rush, but you don't want to appear indecisive.

End the interview with a good impression.

A positive end to the interview is another way to ensure your success.

● Be courteous and allow the interview to end on time.
● Restate any strengths and experiences that you might not have
emphasized earlier.
● Mention a particular accomplishment or activity that fits the job.
● If you want the job, say so!
● Find out if there will be additional interviews.
● Ask when the employer plans to make a decision.
● Ask for a business card or contact information of the interviewer(s). Don't
forget to send a thank-you note or letter after the interview.

CareerOneStop. (2014). Interview Tips. Retrieved from

http://www.careeronestop.org/workerreemployment/jobsearch/interview/interview-
tipx
Enlaces a un sitio externo.