Business English Lesson: Finding a Job

This lesson introduces different kinds of jobs/wages and job advertisements, with activities and discussion questions.

Download lesson as pdf

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1.1. Warm-Up Questions 

1. What is the most interesting job you have had?

2. If you hate your job, should you quit? Why or why not?

3. Should you quit a job before you have a new one?

4. What’s the difference between a job and a career?

1.2a. Vocabulary

Part-time
Full-time
Benefits
Salary
Contract
Temporary
Permanent
Hourly Wage
Apply
Applicant

 1.2b. Fill-in-the-Blanks with the vocabulary words above. 

1. How many _________________________________ do we have for the current position?

2. I only want to work about 15 hours a week. I’m looking for a ___________________________ job.

3. This job is only for 3 months. It’s _______________________________.

4. She receives her ________________________ on a monthly basis.

5. My ___________________________ is renewed each year.

6. Frank is looking for a ________________________________ job. He needs the ____________________________ such as insurance and a pension plan.

7. He will _____________________ for the teaching job tomorrow.

8. I receive an ___________________________________ of $20 per hour.

1.3. Activity 

Read the following job advertisements. Answer the questions that follow.

Administrative Assistant

Excellent computer and typing skills required. Salary negotiable depending on experience. E-mail resume to: exportinc@mail.com

Factory Assemblers

$12/hr. plus benefits. 40 hours a week with paid vacations. Need to fill 7 positions. Apply in person at: 733 Main Street.

Summer Camp Teachers Needed

Native English Speakers. Bachelor’s Degree Required. Experience teaching kids preferred. $1500 per month plus accommodation. Send resume to: ESL@mail.com

Reliable Dog Walker Wanted

Large breed dog/ 2 walks daily. $20 per walk/5 days a week. Send references and resume to: Sally Rogers, 612 Market Street

1. Which jobs are salary jobs? __________________________________________________________________________________

2. Which jobs are hourly wage jobs? __________________________________________________________________________________

3. Which job is temporary? _____________________________________________________

4. Which job requires you to go to the company? _____________________________

5. Which job does not have a set salary? _______________________________________

6. How many jobs required references? ______________________

7. Which job is part-time? _______________________________________________

8. Which jobs are full-time? ___________________________________________________________________________________

9. Which jobs require experience? ______________________________________________

10. Which job seems appealing? Why? ___________________________________________________________________________________

1.4. Discussion Questions 

1. What are the highest paid jobs in your country?

2. What are the lowest paid jobs in your country?

3. If you could have any job, what would it be?

4. What are the benefits/disadvantages of being paid a set-salary?

5. What are the benefits/disadvantages of being paid an hourly wage?

6. What does “work to live” mean?

7. What does “live to work” mean?

8. Do you often work overtime?

9. Do you think people in your country work too much?

10. How important is it to have free time?

11. How many vacation days are appropriate?

12. Should you be paid if you call in sick?

13. Would you prefer to work 1st shift, 2nd shift, or 3rd shift?

14. Do you prefer to work on weekends?

15. How do you feel about working on holidays?

1.5. Activity 

Fill out the sample application form on the following pages. (Download pdf file above to see the application form.)

1.6. Extension Activity 

Write your own advertisement for the perfect job. Share it with the class and see how many people would apply to your job.