Reading and Analyzing Job Advertisements
Updated: Oct 6
Reading and Analyzing Job Advertisements
I. Read the following job postings and answer the questions:
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I. Write T if the statement is true or F if it is false based on the job postings. Correct any false statements.
_____ The Retail Sales Associate position at Northern Attire Co. offers full-time hours.
_____ Apex Logistics allows their Customer Service Representative to work from home two days a week.
_____ You need a post-secondary diploma in Business Administration to apply for the Front Desk Receptionist role at Maplewood Dental.
_____ Speaking a second language like Spanish or Cantonese is an asset for the Northern Attire Co. position.
_____ Applications for all three jobs must be sent by email.
II. Answer the questions in complete sentences.
Which job pays the highest hourly wage, and what is the required schedule for that role?
_____________________________________________________________________
If an applicant has 45 WPM typing skills and 2 years of phone experience, which job posting matches their qualifications best?
_____________________________________________________________________
What is the application deadline for the Customer Service Representative position at Apex Logistics?
_____________________________________________________________________
What are two daily responsibilities for the Retail Sales Associate at Northern Attire Co.?
_____________________________________________________________________
What application method is required to apply for the Front Desk Receptionist position at Maplewood Dental Clinic?
_____________________________________________________________________
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III. Candidate Matching Scenarios
Read about the five job seekers below. Match each candidate to the job posting that fits them best and explain your choice using specific details from the ad (such as hours, location, required experience, or preferred assets).
Candidate 1 (Elena): Has 3 years of call-centre experience, types 50 WPM, and wants a hybrid schedule with weekends off.
Best Job Match: __________________________________________________
Why: ___________________________________________________________
Candidate 2 (David): Is a university student looking for part-time work (20 hours/week) on evenings and weekends. He has worked in retail for a year and speaks fluent Spanish.
Best Job Match: __________________________________________________
Why: ___________________________________________________________
Candidate 3 (Sarah): Wants a full-time job in a health clinic. She has 2 years of office administrative experience and is certified in First Aid.
Best Job Match: __________________________________________________
Why: ___________________________________________________________
Candidate 4 (Marcus): Lives in Mississauga and has 1.5 years of experience stocking shelves and assisting shoppers. He prefers an hourly pay rate around $17–18/hr. and is comfortable standing and lifting boxes up to 20 lbs.
Best Job Match: __________________________________________________
Why: ___________________________________________________________
Candidate 5 (Amina): Holds a diploma in Business Administration, excels at problem-solving, and is looking for a full-time office position ($21+/hr) that includes health benefits.
Best Job Match: __________________________________________________
Why: ___________________________________________________________
II. Speaking:
Application Problem-Solving Exercises
Instructions: Read each workplace situation below and answer the questions based on the application instructions given in the job ads.
Scenario 1: Marco
Situation: Marco wants to apply for the position at Northern Attire Co. It is November 18, 2026. He filled out an online application form on their website without attaching a cover letter.
Question: Identify two mistakes Marco made based on the job ad's instructions.
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Scenario 2: Priya
Situation: Priya is interested in the Customer Service Representative job at Apex Logistics. On October 25, 2026, she walked into their North York office in person to hand her paper resume directly to the hiring manager.
Question: What mistake did Priya make regarding the application method required by Apex Logistics? How should she have applied?
Your __________________________________________________________________
Scenario 3: Jamal
Situation: Jamal emailed his resume to clinic@maplewooddental.ca for the Front Desk Receptionist position on November 10, 2026. He felt confident because he included all of his administrative experience and medical billing certificates.
Question: Why will Jamal's application likely be rejected or ignored by Maplewood Dental Clinic?
__________________________________________________________________
Scenario 4: Chloe
Situation: Chloe saw the ad for Northern Attire Co. on November 10, 2026. She sent an email to careers@northernattire.ca with only her resume attached. In her email body, she wrote: "Hi, I want to apply for a job at your store."
Question: Based on the "How to Apply" section in Northern Attire's ad, identify two details Chloe forgot to include or attach.
Your Answer:
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Scenario 5: Kevin
Situation: Kevin wants a full-time job. He saw the posting for Northern Attire Co. ($17.60/hr.) and submitted his resume via email on November 1, 2026, stating that he is available to work Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM only.
Question: Based on the job details in the ad, explain why Kevin is not a good fit for this role despite applying on time.
__________________________________________________________________
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III. Grammar Focus:
Workplace Problem-Solving: Conditionals for Troubleshooting & Options
Language Focus: First Conditional (real future possibilities) and Second Conditional (hypothetical scenarios).
Target Structures
First Conditional (Real/Likely Outcomes):
If + Present Simple, Will + Verb
"If the shipment arrives late, I will call the supervisor."
Second Conditional (Hypothetical/Polite Suggestions):
If + Past Simple, Would + Verb
"If I were the team lead, I would implement a daily checklist."
I. "What Would You Do?" Workplace Dilemma Cards
In small groups, read each scenario. Practise using Second Conditionals to discuss hypothetical solutions, and First Conditionals to outline the likely result of your action.
The Missing Inventory Box
Situation: You are receiving a delivery at the retail store, and you notice one box of high-value merchandise listed on the packing slip is missing.
Discussion Prompts:
Hypothetical Solution (Second Conditional): "If I noticed a missing box during delivery, I would..."
Likely Outcome (First Conditional): "If I report it to the driver immediately, the company will..."
An Upset Customer Without a Receipt
Situation: A customer enters the store demanding a cash refund for an item, but they do not have a receipt or original packaging.
Discussion Prompts:
Hypothetical Solution (Second Conditional): "If a customer asked for a cash refund without a receipt, I would..."
Likely Outcome (First Conditional): "If I offer them store credit instead, they will..."
Software Freeze During a Call
Situation: You are on a call with a client at the logistics company, and your database freezes while you are pulling up their tracking details.
Discussion Prompts:
Hypothetical Solution (Second Conditional): "If my screen froze during a live client call, I would..."
Likely Outcome (First Conditional): "If I ask for their phone number to call them back, it will..."
Double-Booked Dental Appointment
Situation: Two patients arrive at the clinic front desk at the same time, both claiming to have an appointment with the dentist at 10:00 AM.
Discussion Prompts:
Hypothetical Solution (Second Conditional): "If two patients arrived for the same time slot, I would..."
Likely Outcome (First Conditional): "If I explain the scheduling error politely, the dentist will..."
Co-worker Frequently Arriving Late
Situation: Your shift partner on the sales floor keeps arriving 15 minutes late, forcing you to handle the opening tasks alone.
Discussion Prompts:
Hypothetical Solution (Second Conditional): "If my co-worker continued to arrive late, I would..."
Likely Outcome (First Conditional): "If I speak to them directly before going to management, we will..."
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Activity 2: Policy & Procedure Flowcharts (If / Then)
Complete the flowchart steps for each workplace procedure by writing accurate First Conditional sentences (Real/Likely SOP outcomes).
Scenario 1: Damaged Shipment Protocol (Logistics)
Step 1: If the outer packaging __________________ (appear) torn upon arrival, I __________________ (inspect) the contents before signing.
Step 2: If the items inside (be) damaged, I __________________ (take) digital photographs for evidence.
Step 3: If I __________________ (attach) the photos to the claims report, the supervisor __________________ (process) the replacement order today.
Scenario 2: Overbooking Protocol (Medical/Dental Clinic)
Step 1: If a patient __________________ (arrive) late for an appointment, the receptionist __________________ (inform) the dental assistant.
Step 2: If the dentist __________________ (have) a free slot later in the afternoon, we __________________ (offer) to reschedule them for today.
Step 3: If the patient __________________ (decline) the late afternoon slot, we __________________ (book) them for the next available date.
Scenario 3: Cash Register Discrepancy (Retail)
Step 1: If the drawer total __________________ (not match) the sales report at closing, the clerk __________________ (recount) the cash float.
Step 2: If the discrepancy __________________ (be) greater than $20.00, the supervisor __________________ (review) the security footage.
Step 3: If we __________________ (find) a receipt entry error, we __________________ (correct) the daily register log.
Scenario 4: Escalated Customer Complaint (Call Centre)
Step 1: If a caller __________________ (become) abusive on the phone, the representative __________________ (issue) a verbal warning.
Step 2: If the caller __________________ (continue) to use inappropriate language, the representative __________________ (transfer) the call to the team lead.
Step 3: If the team lead __________________ (be) unavailable, the representative __________________ (take) a message and end the call.
Scenario 5: Safety & Hazard Reporting (Warehouse / Retail)
Step 1: If a liquid spill __________________ (occur) on the sales floor, the employee __________________ (block) off the area immediately.
Step 2: If the employee __________________ (need) specialized cleaning supplies, they __________________ (contact) the maintenance supervisor.
Step 3: If we __________________ (clean) the floor right away, we __________________ (prevent) workplace slip hazards.
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