READING.- Starting work

 If you are looking for work, the following sound advice could well help you.  A Personnel Officer who recruits young people for fashion shops all over the country has pun into words some of the things that cause problems for young staff:

(Sound advice =  good advice, trustworthy or sensible advice.)

-  Here you are the following headlines, each of them belongs to one of the eleven paragraphs below, match paragraph and headline in the correct way.

-  Later, make a list of dependent prepositions and phrasal verbs which appear in the paragraphs.

HEADLINE	PARAGRAPH Nº
A.- New friend
B.- Trade Unions
C.- Time keeping
D.- Answering the telephone
E.- Learn to budget
F.- Use your initiative
G.- Sickness
H.- What to wear
I.- Ask questions
J.- Holidays
K.- Longer hours

 

1.-  Don’t be afraid to ask questions.  But be aware of when you’re being a pest.  Sometimes people carry on doing something the wrong way because they don’t want to appear thick.  But obviously you must ask if you’re not sure what you’re doing.  However it might be better to ask a colleague rather than bother the manager.  Or save up your questions and ask them all at once, perhaps after half an hour.

2.-  Be prepared for  longer hours and to work late if needed.  We work a six day week with a day off during the week.  This means we can’t have conventional weekends often and we sometimes work bank holidays.  But a lot of people enjoy having time off during the week, when others are working.

3.-  If you can see a job that needs doing, like shelves that need tidying or stock replacing, don’t wait to be told.  You’ll create the right impression if you do it off your own bat.

4.-  Grooming is important for us because we have to project a fashion image.  Girls straight from school often come in with-out make-up and it looks like they’ve just got out of bed.  Make an effort to dress appropriately for the job.  Your employer will appreciate it.

5.-  People are often petrified of the phone work, even if they have one at home.  Practice is the best way to get over your fear and always make notes.   Jot down who’s calling, the time of the call, who they want to speak to and any message.

6.-  At school you stayed home when you were sick and took a note when you went back.  At work your job may have to be covered while you’re away.  So phone in by 10 a.m. to say what’s wrong and how long you’d expect to be off.

7.-  Ask how many days you’ll be entitled to either at the interview or during the first week.  Never book a holiday without making sure the dates are convenient for everyone else. 

8.-  Getting to know people outside work will help relationships in work.  So join the social club if there is one.  If your department has a night at the pub, try to join them- at least occasionally.   No one will mind if you just have one drink and leave early.

9.-  Some jobs will require  you join a union as soon as you start work.  Others may give you the option.  If membership isn’t compulsory, you may like to wait a week or two and make up your mind when you’ve talked to other people. 

10.-  You’ll probably have to travel further to get to work and may have to get up earlier.   Try and arrive a few minutes ahead of time so you’ll be ready to start at 9 o’clock.  And don’t overdo the social life for your first few weeks.  A new job can be exhausting, so make sure you get a few early nights.

11.-  Sit down with a pen and paper and write down how much you earn and how much you spend.  Find out when to expect your first pay cheque.  If you’re paid monthly you will have to finance yourself till then.  Some companies will advance you a loan.  Otherwise seek help from parents or your bank who may grant you loan facilities depending on the circumstances.

Source:  UNED Advanced English.  Students’ textbook (vol. I) 

Mª Teresa Gibert and Mª Antonia Álvarez