English V

Session 4 Applying for a job

saber hacer para competir

Objective
During this session you will practice your skills such as: preparing for a job interview, knowing how to
answer the correct questions and the use of conjunctions.
All this is essential to you professional practice, company recruiters are seeking for candidates that
are fully capable to attend a job interview, hence the importance of being prepared.
Now, this can also prepare you to be on the other side: being an interviewer in a job interview or
reading a resume from an applicant. So it is important to learn all the aspects that these documents
must contain.

Introduction
In past sessions you have learned topics that will help you with your writing skills and some other that
will help you with your social skills. During this session you will practice how to connect ideas and
thoughts.
It is also vital to be prepared for a job interview, because not everything can be said written in a piece
of paper. You must show your social skills and stand by your resume by showing a great presentation
in you job interview. Dont be nervous and study thoroughly the following session to make things
easier for you.

Universidad Tecnolgica Santa Catarina

Educacin a Distancia

English V

Session 4 Applying for a job

saber hacer para competir

4.1 Conjunctions
Most simply, conjunctions connect things. They allow us to make longer more complex
sentences.
See the video: Schoolhouse Rock: Grammar - Conjunction Junction Music Video in the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPoBE-E8VOc
There are four types of conjunctions:
Coordinating conjunction
Subordinating
conjunction
Correlative conjunction
Conjunctive adverb

Connects a word, a phrase or a clause of equal weight.

Only connects clauses and in doing so creates a
subordinate clause.
Operates in pairs to connect sentence elements.
Creates a relationship between ideas in the sentence.

a) Coordinating
- A coordinating conjunction is a single word that joins words, phrases, and clauses of equal
grammatical construction.
Examples:
Knives and spoons (noun & noun),
Run or shout (verb & verb),
Down the stairs and around the house. (Prepositional phrase & prepositional phrase)
- Coordinating conjunctions also join complete sentences, i.e., independent clauses. These
conjunctions also imbue equal grammatical weight, or rank, to the joined elements.
b) Correlative
- A correlative conjunction is a paired conjunction that, like a coordinating conjunction, joins elements
of equal grammatical construction.
- Correlative conjunctions also imbue equal grammatical weight to elements they join.
- These paired conjunctions join equal elements within an independent clause, forming compound
elements, i.e., subject & subject, verb & verb, object & object, etc., and they can also join independent
clauses.

Universidad Tecnolgica Santa Catarina

Educacin a Distancia

English V

Session 4 Applying for a job

saber hacer para competir

c) Subordinating
- A subordinating conjunction is an adverb that introduces a subordinate adverbial clause and joins
the subordinate clause to the rest of the sentence.
- The idea, or proposition, expressed by the subordinate clause has less grammatical weight (rank or
importance) than the idea expressed by the main clause.
- Subordinating conjunctions are not true conjunctions; their name, however, derives from their ability
to join clauses.
- Most subordinators are a single word, but some are composed of two or more words, i.e., a phrase.
d) Conjunctive adverb
- A conjunctive adverb is an adverb or adverbial phrase that joins two independent clauses (like a
coordinating conjunction) while providing adverbial emphasis.
- Conjunctive adverbs are not considered true conjunctions.
- Additionally, conjunctive adverbs sometimes function as connectors (something like a bridge)
between words or phrases, linking entire sentences or paragraphs.
- Conjunctive adverbs performing this function are called transitional elements or transitions.
- Finally, an adverbial word or phrase can function as an expletive, also called a function word or
function.
- An expletive is an exclamatory word inserted into a sentence that adds nothing to the meaning of
the sentence; furthermore, these words have no grammatical function within a sentence.
See the video Conjunction Types in the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygDQvZ1yFXs

Universidad Tecnolgica Santa Catarina

Educacin a Distancia

English V

Session 4 Applying for a job

saber hacer para competir

4.2 Coordinating conjunctions

There are 7 coordinating conjunctions: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet and So.
For (used to mean seeing that, since or because) and yet (used to mean though, still, or
nevertheless) can only join clauses.
a) For
The word for is most often used as a preposition, of course, but it does serve, on rare occasions, as a
coordinating conjunction. For has serious sequential implications and in its use the order of thoughts
is more important than it is, say, with because or since.
Its function is to introduce the reason for the preceding clause: John thought
he had a good chance to get the job, for his father was on the companys board of
trustees.
b) Yet
The word yet functions sometimes as an adverb and has several meanings: in addition, even, still,
eventually, and so soon as now. It also functions as a coordinating conjunction meaning something
like "nevertheless" or "but."
The word yet seems to carry an element of distinctiveness that but cans seldom
registers: John plays basketball well, yet his favorite sport is badminton.
The visitors complained loudly about the heat, yet they continued to play golf every day. Yet is
sometimes combined with other conjunctions, but or and. It would not be unusual to see and yet in
sentences like the ones above. This usage is acceptable.
c) And
Joins two propositions (ideas).
- One idea is chronologically sequential to another. "Tashonda sent in her applications and waited
by the phone for a response."
- One idea is the result of another. "Willie heard the weather report and promptly boarded up his
house."
- One idea is in contrast to another (frequently replaced by but in this usage): "Juanita is brilliant
and Shakira has a pleasant personality.
- An element of surprise (sometimes replaced by yet in this usage): "Hartford is a rich city and
suffers from many symptoms of urban blight."
Universidad Tecnolgica Santa Catarina

Educacin a Distancia

English V

Session 4 Applying for a job

saber hacer para competir

- One clause is dependent upon another, conditionally (usually the first clause is an
imperative): Use your credit cards frequently and youll soon find yourself deep in debt.
- A kind of comment on the first clause: Charlie became addicted to gambling and that
surprised no one who knew him.
d) Nor
Used in negative expressions.

Its most common use is as the little brother in the correlative pair, neither-nor.
e) But
Joins two contrastive propositions (ideas).
- A contrast that is unexpected in light of the first clause. "Joey lost a fortune in the stock market,
but he still seems able to live quite comfortably."
- An affirmative sense what the first part of the sentence implied in a negative way (sometimes
replaced by on the contrary): "The club never invested foolishly, but used the services of a sage
investment counselor."
- To connect two ideas with the meaning of "with the exception of" (and then the second word
takes over as subject): "Everybody but Julie is trying out for the team."
f) Or
Joins two alternative propositions (ideas).
- To suggest that only one possibility can be realized, excluding one or the other: You can study
hard for this exam or you can fail.
- To suggest the inclusive combination of alternatives: We can broil chicken on the grill tonight, or
we can just eat leftovers.
- To suggest a refinement of the first clause: Smith College is the premier all-womens college in
the country, or so it seems to most Smith College alumnae.
- To suggest a restatement or correction of the first part of the sentence: There are no
rattlesnakes in this canyon, or so our guide tells us.
- To suggest a negative condition: The New Hampshire state motto is the rather grim Live free or
die.
- To suggest a negative alternative without the use of an imperative (see use of and above):
They must approve his political style or they wouldnt keep electing him mayor.

Universidad Tecnolgica Santa Catarina

Educacin a Distancia

English V

Session 4 Applying for a job

saber hacer para competir

f) Or
First idea (the cause) results in second idea (the effect).
Be careful of the conjunction SO.
- Sometimes it can connect two independent clauses along with a comma, but sometimes it cant. For
instance, in this sentence, Soto is not the only Olympic athlete in his family, so are his brother, sister,
and his Uncle Chet.
- Where the word so means as well or in addition, most careful writers would use a semicolon
between the two independent clauses. In the following sentence, where so is acting like a minorleague therefore, the conjunction and the comma are adequate to the task: Soto has always been
nervous in large gatherings, so it is no surprise that he avoids crowds of his adoring fans.
- Sometimes, at the beginning of a sentence, so will act as a kind of summing up device or transition,
and when it does, it is often set off from the rest of the sentence with a comma: So, the sheriff
peremptorily removed the child from the custody of his parents.
- Joins elements of equal grammatical construction, e.g., two or more nouns, verbs, phrases, or
clauses.
- Can join two or more independent clauses into a single sentence.
- When doing this, they are also joining propositions, or ideas, expressed in each independent clause.
- Lend equal weight, or importance, to the grammatical elements they join.
Then is a conjunction, but it is not one of the little conjunctions listed at the top of this page. We
can use the FANBOYS conjunctions to connect two independent clauses; usually, they will be
accompanied (preceded) by a comma. Too many students think that then works the same way:
Caesar invaded Gaul, then he turned his attention to England. You can tell the difference between
then and a coordinating conjunction by trying to move the word around in the sentence.
See the video FANBOYS: Coordinating Conjunctions in the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-catJZm_2TI

Universidad Tecnolgica Santa Catarina

Educacin a Distancia

English V

Session 4 Applying for a job

saber hacer para competir

4.3 Subordinating conjunctions

A subordinating conjunction is an adverb or adverbial phrase that introduces into
a sentence a subordinate adverbial clause, which functions to adverbially modify the
main sentence clause or a part of the main sentence clause, usually the main verb.
Additionally, the subordinate clause also introduces a new idea, or proposition, into the sentence. The
new proposition expressed by the subordinate clause is said to carry less weight, or importance, than
the idea expressed by the main sentence clause. (More on propositions.)
We might also note that a subordinate adverbial clause modifies the main sentence clause by
introducing one of the following concepts into the main sentence clause: addition, cause & effect,
comparison, concession, contrast, emphasis, example, summary, or sequence. Many adverbial words
and phrases can function as subordinating conjunctions; following is a list of those frequently used in
English. (More on subordinating conjunctions.)
Adverbial words frequently used in English.
After
As long as

Although
As
though

As

As if

Because

Before

If

In order
that

Provided
that

Even
though
Rather
than
Though
Whenever

Since

So that

Than

Unless
Where

Until
Whereas

When
Wherever

Whether

While

As soon
as

A subordinate conjunction is an adverb that introduces a subordinate adverbial clause into the main
sentence, i.e., the main clause. Grammatically, a subordinate adverbial clause can modify an entire
main clause or just a part of the main clause, although it usually modifies a verb within the main
clause. The subordinate adverbial clause will always answer the question when, where, how, why,
under what condition, or to what degree an action occurred or a situation existed regarding the word
or words it modifies.

Universidad Tecnolgica Santa Catarina

Educacin a Distancia

English V

Session 4 Applying for a job

saber hacer para competir

In addition to its function as modifier, a subordinate clause also introduces (adds) its own idea, or
proposition, to the proposition expressed by the main clause, which contains the core idea expressed
by the sentence. The idea expressed by the subordinate clause is ancillary to that expressed by the
main clause. The idea, or proposition, expressed by the subordinate clause is sometimes described
as being lesser in rank to that of the main proposition. Although their name suggests otherwise,
subordinating conjunctions are not true conjunctions; but the name derives from their ability to
incorporate into a sentence another idea in addition to the idea expressed by the main clause.
Because many subordinating conjunctions can also function as other parts of speech, these adverbs
are identified by function alone. All subordinating conjunctions are adverbs or adverbial phrases, but
not all adverbs or adverbial phrases are subordinating conjunctions. Some adverbs can, for instance,
function as conjunctive adverbs, which include transitions and adverbial expletives.
See the video Subordinating Conjunctions in the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCGiSFmZky4
See the video Correlatives - Coordinate conjunctions used in pairs in the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81c7y491okg

4.4 Job interviews

A job interview is a meeting between you and an employer.
Now that you have learned how to make your own resume, it is important for you to understand how
job interviews are done. An interview lets you learn more about the job and the company. Interviews
also let employers learn about you.
See the video Job Interview Tips - How to Prepare For a Job Interview in the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPgqahq6Yqc
Employers consider the interview the most important part of the hiring process. The interview allows
you to make an in-person impression on your potential employer. This impression can be good, but it
can also be bad. So even if you have a good cover letter and resume, you will have to do well during
your interview in order to make a positive impression.
There are a few easy but very important steps you should complete to prepare for your job interview:
1. Research the company and the job so that you can answer (and ask) detailed questions about
the organization and the position. Find out as much as you can about the company. Here are some
questions to answers:

Universidad Tecnolgica Santa Catarina

Educacin a Distancia

English V

Session 4 Applying for a job

saber hacer para competir

What does the company do, and what services

does it provide?
What is the companys mission?
What are some of the companys goals?
How many employees does it have?
Questions about the organization

Is it local, or does it have multiple locations?

Is it a union shop?
What are some of it newest products or projects
Who are the companys competitors?
What types of employees does the company
hire?
When was the company established?
What is the companys financial status?
- What is the job, and what will you have to do?
What are the daily responsibilities?
What sort of physical labor is involved?
What sort of technology or computer labor is
involved?
Is the location of the job different or the same
as the companys location?

Questions about the job

Is there travel involved in the job? If so, is

it long distance and how often will you be
expected to travel?
What sort of past experience will you need?
What sort of specific skills will you need?
Does the job call for any special licenses
(Commercial Drivers License), certification, or
training?
What sorts of benefits are related to the job,
and what is the salary?

Universidad Tecnolgica Santa Catarina

Educacin a Distancia

English V

Session 4 Applying for a job

saber hacer para competir

You may not be able to find specific answers for these questions. But it is good to have a general idea
of salary and benefits for the type of job you want.
Remember that you can contact the company directly to find answers to most of these questions.
2. Review your resume and cover letter and are able to speak in detail about your
accomplishments and how you can help the company.
Write a Resume or Cover Letter
Resumes, cover letters, curriculum vitae (CVs), LinkedIn profiles, personal statements and employer
correspondence play an integral role in your internship or job hunt. In almost every situation, these
documents are the employers first impression of your skills and professionalism. As you craft each
of these documents you are creating a personal brand for yourself that will precede your face-to-face
interaction with an employer. Therefore, each of your documents should be flawless in spelling and
grammar, consistent in content and message and tailored specifically to the employer, company and
position.
As you draft these documents, keep the job description at the forefront of your mind. Make sure you
emphasize experiences in your resume and examples in your cover letter that are consistent with the
skills the company is looking for in their next hire.
Resume, Cover Letter and LinkedIn Profile Reviews
Once youve written the first draft of your resume or cover letter, swing by for our daily walk-in resume
and cover letter reviews on Monday through Thursday 1:30 4:30 p.m. Exceptions: extended hours 1
5 p.m. on September 14 and 15. There will be no reviews on November 25, 26, or 27. The last day
of reviews for the semester will be December 4th.
If youre applying for a specific position, bring the job description with you so we can help you best
emphasize your qualifications for that company. Whether its formatting, content, grammar or spelling,
we can help ensure that your first impression lasts.
First impressions are important and your LinkedIn profile is often the first link that occurs when
Googling your name. We have added LinkedIn profile reviews alongside our scheduled daily resume
and cover letter reviews. Make sure your on-line presence matches the quality of your resume. Stop
by during scheduled review hours to receive tips and advice to polish up your LinkedIn profile prior.
See the video How to Write a Great Resume and Cover Letter in the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTh4HJpD3j8

Universidad Tecnolgica Santa Catarina

Educacin a Distancia

10

English V

Session 4 Applying for a job

saber hacer para competir

3. Practice your interview with someone. Have your friend use the interview questions below. Your
mock interviews should cover every part of the interview. You should wear the same clothes, hairstyle,
and jewelry you will wear at the interview.
Practicing is one of the best ways to prepare for a job interview. A mock interview with a professional
is one way to learn and practice interviewing skills. Another is to use an online interview preparation
tool. Both of those are fee-based options, but you can still practice even if you cant afford
professional assistance.
To more information click the link:
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/practice/a/online-practice-interviews.htm
- Do-It-Yourself Interviewing Practice
There are a number of ways to prepare for an interview at home without the help of a professional
career counselor or coach or a fee-based service. You can practice interviews all by yourself or recruit
friends and family to assist you.
- Practice Answering Interview Questions.
The simplest way to prepare is to create a list of common interview questions and answer each
question out loud. The more you practice, the more you will be prepared to respond during an actual
job interview.
- Use Flashcards.
Write the questions down on flashcards. By shuffling the flashcards, you will become comfortable
answering questions in any order.
- Record Yourself Practicing.
If you have a webcam, video camera or tape recorder, record your responses and play them back.
Assess your body language (if you have a video camera) and your answers to the questions. How is
your posture and eye contact? Are you fidgeting? Are your answers too long-winded? Do you sound
confident? If you do not have a video camera or tape recorder, practice in front of the mirror.
- Recruit a Friend or Family Member.
You can also give a list of questions to a friend or family member and have them interview you.
- Ask your practice interviewer for constructive feedback.
Practicing with a friend or family member will provide you with a comfortable, safe environment for
honing your interviewing skills and receiving feedback.
- Dress the Part.
One way to make a do-it-yourself practice interview seem more like an actual job interview is to dress
in interview attire. Not only will dressing the part make you feel like you are heading to a real job
interview, it will also give you the opportunity to make sure that your interview clothes are in order and
youre ready to go.
Universidad Tecnolgica Santa Catarina

Educacin a Distancia

11

English V

Session 4 Applying for a job

saber hacer para competir

- Set Up an Interview Space.

It will also feel more like an actual interview if you set up an interview space.
Even if its your kitchen table (cleared of clutter) with a chair on either side, one for you and one for
the interviewer, it will set the scene for your practice interview to be more formal.
Practicing your interview skills will help reduce stress during your actual interview, and will allow you
to focus on connecting with your interviewer rather than struggling to come up with answers. The
more familiar you are with the types of interview questions youll be asked, the better prepared you
will be to interview.
You can visit the page About Careers, here's a list of practice interview questions
for a variety of occupations, types of jobs and types of interviews to review. Click to
the link: http://jobsearch.about.com/od/practice/a/practice-interview-questions.htm
Taking some time to practice will boost your confidence and help you ace your job interviews.

4.5 Tips for job interviews

Job interviews can be a sweat inducing experience. Here are the most common job interview
questions and how to answer them.
See the video 25 Most Common Job Interview Questions And How To Answer Them
in the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw1ekqxULTs

Here are the answers to a lot of frequent questions, regarding job interviews:
What should I wear to my interview?
Employers expect job candidates to dress nicely for interviews. What you wear and how you style
your hair sends a message to the employer. So, it is good to dress conservatively for your interview.
But it is also good to fit into the companys culture and what they wear at work. So if you are confused
about what to wear, you can use these lists adapted from How to Get a Job and Keep It(2007):

Universidad Tecnolgica Santa Catarina

Educacin a Distancia

12

English V

Session 4 Applying for a job

saber hacer para competir

What to wear in an interview

Matching skirted suit (first best
choice)

Women

Matching pantsuit (second best

choice)
Jacket with a skirt
Jacket with a dress
Jacket with slacks
Matching suit (best choice)
Blazer with slacks

Men

Sport coat with slacks

Shirt with tie and slacks
Sweater with slacks

If you do not have these types of clothes, check with your local employment agency to see if there is
a community service that provides dress clothes for interviews. Many community closets have suits
you can have or borrow for interviews.

Universidad Tecnolgica Santa Catarina

Educacin a Distancia

13

English V

Session 4 Applying for a job

saber hacer para competir

What not to do or wear

No heavy makeup
No provocative clothing (see-through, tight, slits, super-short
skirts)
Women

No flashy jewelry
No strappy shoes, sandals, or towering heels
No big hair or elaborate styles
No hosiery runs or designer stockings
No sagging coat lining or saggy pants
No five oclock shadows (be cleanly shaved, and if you
have a beard or other facial hair, make sure its neatly
trimmed)

Men

No short or white socks

No mismatched belts and shoes (same color leather)
No ties too short or too long or bowties
No wrinkled or soiled clothing
No tinted glasses

No joke or fad watches

Both

No visible body piercing or multiple earrings in one ear

No visible body art; cover tattoos if possible
No inconsistent look no sneakers with suits

Universidad Tecnolgica Santa Catarina

Educacin a Distancia

14

English V

Session 4 Applying for a job

saber hacer para competir

What should I do during my interview?

Employers respect and like job candidates who look professional, who are relaxed, polite, and
confident. Preparing for your interview will help you to relax and be confident. The following list,
adapted from Interviews for Dummies (2012) will help you be polite and make a positive impression:
- Arrive at least 10 minutes early for the interview (always leave extra time to get lost or get stuck in
traffic) and turn off your cell phone
- Bring extra copies of your cover letter and rsum
- Exude confidence: Smile, hold your head high, shoulders back, and walk with vigor.
- Radiate friendliness: Greet everyone (including the receptionist) with warmth.
- Be positive: Do not talk badly about yourself, other people, or complain about anything.
- Extend yourself: Offer a firm, strong handshake at the beginning and end of an interview
- Use eye contact: Maintain eye contact during your interview, glancing away occasionally, but
always remaining focused on the person you are talking with
- Gesture naturally: Find a home base for your hands and let your gestures add interest to your
conversation do not pick at your nails, tap your feet, straiten your hair, or bite your lips.
- Display respect: Dont use first names unless you are asked to, rise when you greet someone, and
be a good listener.
- Be mindful of good manners: Turn off your cell phone and do not eat, chew gum, smoke, or wear
fragrance.
- Be gracious: Thank the interviewer for his or her time, write and mail a thank you/follow-up letter so
that it arrives no more than one week after the interview.
What should I not do during my interview?
X Arrive late
X Dress inappropriately
X Appear unprofessional
X Address people by their first names
X Drink alcohol or smoke before the interview or use cologne or breath mints to cover up smokers
breath
X Sit down right away without greeting and shaking hands with everyone
X Mumble or speak too loudly or quickly
X Slouch or sit too rigidly
X Stuff your hands in your pockets
What should I do after my interview?
In order to thank the employer and continue the interview process, write a thank you or follow up
letter. Make sure you send the letter so that it arrives within seven days of the interview. If you have
not heard back from the employer within ten days, you may call to ask about the job.
To finish this lesson we recommended see the video How to Sell Yourself in a Job
Interview in the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohESy9o2YPk
Universidad Tecnolgica Santa Catarina

Educacin a Distancia

15

English V

Session 4 Applying for a job

saber hacer para competir

Conclusion
A lot was learned during this session: conjunctions, vocabulary, and job interviews. Using these topics
well will definitely help you in your professional life.
It is vital to know how to reflect a good personality and to give the right message to the interviewer.
Apply what was learned and feel free to reflect the whole picture about whom you are and what you
have to offer to others.

Glossary
Ahead. To or toward the place where someone is going.
Applicant. Someone who formally asks for something (such as a job or admission to a college),
someone who applies for something.
Coordinate. Equal in rank, quality, or significance.
Conjunctions. A word that joins together sentences, clauses, phrases, or words.
Hire. To give work or a job to (someone) in exchange for wages or a salary.
Manners. The way that a person normally behaves especially while with other people
Mindful. Aware of something that may be important.
Regarding. Relating to (something).
Skirted. A piece of clothing worn by women and girls that hangs from the waist down.
Stock. A share of the value of a company, which can be bought, sold, or traded as an investment.

Universidad Tecnolgica Santa Catarina

Educacin a Distancia

16

English V

Session 4 Applying for a job

saber hacer para competir

References
Fuchs, M. (2009). Longman Focus on Grammar 3 - 3rd Edition An Integrated Skill Approach. United
States: Pearson Longman
Kennedy, Joyce Lain. (2000). Job Interviews for Dummies. 2nd Ed. New York: Hungry Minds. Print.
Mc Carthy, M. (2008). Touchstone 2 Full Contact. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Murphy, R. (1985). English Grammar in Use. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Richards. J. (2012). Interchange Level 2. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Universidad Tecnolgica Santa Catarina

Educacin a Distancia

17