Mistakes When Applying For a Job Reading Answers

Jan 17, 2023

Mistakes When Applying For a Job Reading Answers contains a write up about the mistakes made while applying for a job. Mistakes When Applying For a Job Reading Answers contains a total of 6 paragraphs. Related to the paragraphs are 5 questions. Candidates in this IELTS Section will be shown various question types with clear instructions. The paragraphs contain common mistakes one encounters while applying for a job. The suggestion to avoid such mistakes has also been mentioned.

Mistakes When Applying For a Job Reading Answers is an IELTS Reading passage which comprises one type of question: Answer the questions.Each paragraph must be carefully and attentively read by candidates. No more than two words may be used in the response. Answers must be drawn from the paragraph and be based on the statements in the questions. To gain proficiency, candidates can practice from IELTS reading practice test.

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Section 1

Read the Passage to Answer the Following Questions

Mistakes when applying for a job

There are many mistakes that people make when writing their resume (CV) or completing a job application. Here are some of the most common and most serious.

The biggest problem is perhaps listing the duties for which you were responsible in a past position: all this tells your potential employers is what you were supposed to do. They do not necessarily know the specific skills you used in executing them, nor do they know what results you achieved - both of which are essential. In short, they won’t know if you were the best, the worst, or just average in your position.
The more concrete information you can include, the better. As far as possible, provide measurements of what you accomplished. If any innovations you introduced saved the organization money, how much did they save? If you found a way of increasing productivity, by what percentage did you increase it?
Writing what you are trying to achieve in life - your objective - is a waste of space. It tells the employer what you are interested in. Do you really think that employers care what you want? No, they are interested in what they want! Instead, use that space for a career summary. A good one is brief - three to four sentences long. A good one will make the person reviewing your application want to read further.
Many resumes list ‘hard’ job-specific skills, almost to the exclusion of transferable, or ‘soft’, skills. However, your ability to negotiate effectively, for example, can be just as important as your technical skills.
All information you give should be relevant, so carefully consider the job for which you are applying. If you are applying for a job that is somewhat different from your current job, it is up to you to draw a connection for the resume reviewer, so that they will understand how your skills will fit in their organization. The person who reviews your paperwork will not be a mind reader.
If you are modest about the skills you can offer, or the results you have achieved, a resume reader may take what you write literally, and be left with a low opinion of your ability: you need to say exactly how good you are. On the other hand, of course, never stretch the truth or lie.

Section 2

Solution and Explanation

Questions 15-20

Complete the sentences below.

Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 15-20 on your answer sheet.

It is a mistake to specify your ........................... in past positions.

Answer: Duties
Supporting Statement: The biggest problem is perhaps listing the duties for which you were responsible in a past position: all this tells your potential employers is what you were supposed to do.
Keywords: biggest problem, duties
Keyword Location: Paragraph 1
Explanation: As per paragraph 1, describing the responsibilities and duties you had in a previous position which only tells potential employers what you were expected to do is the biggest difficulty. So, the correct answer is Duties as per the explanation given.

Do not include a description of your ........................... in life.

Answer: Objective
Supporting Statement: Writing what you are trying to achieve in life - your objective - is a waste of space. It tells the employer what you are interested in.
Keywords: writing, objective
Keyword Location: Paragraph 3
Explanation: As per paragraph 3 Writing your goal or objective for the world to see is a waste of space. It reveals to the employer what you are passionate about. So, the correct answer is Objective.

Include soft skills such as an ability to ........................... successfully.

Answer: Negotiate
Supporting Statement: Many resumes list ‘hard’ job-specific skills, almost to the exclusion of transferable, or ‘soft’, skills. However, your ability to negotiate effectively, for example, can be just as important as your technical skills.
Keywords: many resumes, negotiate
Keyword Location: Paragraph 4
Explanation: paragraph 4 clearly states that Nearly all resumes emphasize transferable or "soft" talents above "hard" job-specific skills. However, your capacity for negotiation. So, the correct answer is to negotiate as per the explanation.

Think hard about the position so you can ensure that the information in your application is ........................... .

Answer: Relevant
Supporting Statement: All information you give should be relevant, so carefully consider the job for which you are applying.
Keywords: information, relevant
Keyword Location: Paragraph 5
Explanation: As per paragraph 5 relevance matters a lot while applying for the job. Consider the position you are applying for carefully before providing any information; it should all be relevant. So, the correct answer is relevant.

Make the ........................... between your abilities and the job you are applying for clear.

Answer: Connection
Supporting Statement: If you are applying for a job that is somewhat different from your current job, it is up to you to draw a connection for the resume reviewer, so that they will understand how your skills will fit in their organization.
Keywords: organization, connection
Keyword Location: Paragraph 5
Explanation: As per paragraph 5, one must make a connection for the resume reviewer between the job you are applying for and your existing position if they are to comprehend how your talents will fit in their business. So, the correct answer is connection.

Do not be too ........................... about what you can do.

Answer: modest
Supporting Statement: If you are modest about the skills you can offer, or the results you have achieved, a resume reader may take what you write literally, and be left with a low opinion of your ability: you need to say exactly how good you are.
Keywords: modest, skills, resume reader
Keyword Location: Paragraph 6
Explanation: So, the paragraph 6 states that one needs to be honest about how good you are since if one is modest about the abilities one can give or the outcomes one has attained, a resume reader may take what one writes literally and have a negative judgment of one’s talent level. So, the correct answer is modest.

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