1 . Do you need a career launch plan? It isn’t absolutely essential but it can be extremely helpful! A well-created plan is not just about landing a job; it is about entering the professional field with a competitive edge. Beyond that, it’s a strategy.
Develop relevant skills. Once you’ve identified the qualifications and skills demanded in your ideal profession, it’s time to acquire them! Sign up for courses, pursue certifications, or gain hands-on experience to enhance your skill set.
Start your job hunt. Your approach to job applications should be more like a precision strike than a messy explosion of arrows in all directions.
Stay flexible and agile (机敏的). The job market is changing, and being adaptable is an invaluable ability.
| A．Set your goals. |
| B．Research your options. |
| C．So, what should you do to deal with it? |
| D．To achieve this, develop a systematic approach to your job search. |
| E．By doing these, you’re essentially improving your techniques! |
| F．The job market can be a jungle, especially when you’re just starting. |
| G．The goal is to create a foundation that’ll guide your career decisions. |
2 . Even before Molly Johnson-Jones graduated from Oxford University in 2015, she felt professional pressure to land a “prestigious (享有声望的)” job in a high-powered industry. She says she and her university friends felt there were professions that carried prestige—particularly the fields of finance, medicine and law. That’s why Johnson-Jones ended up in investment banking for two years once she graduated, even though it didn’t feel like quite the right fit.
These kinds of “very traditional industries” have indeed carried prestige, says Jonah Stillman, co-founder of GenGuru, a firm that focuses on different generations in the workplace. As Gen Z joins the workforce, however, experts and younger workers say what’s considered a “prestigious” job may be expanding. Some younger workers do still report making money is prestigious, especially as cost of living shoots up; and working for certain firms or in specific industries can make a career. But many also place equal stress on other elements, such as values of the company, flexibility, and freedom from long, intense work hours.
And some data indicates that Gen Z are indeed turning to more meaningful work. April 2023 data from LinkedIn of more than 7,000 global workers shows 64% of Gen Zers in the UK, Germany and Ireland now consider it important to work for companies that share their values. The data also shows these young workers highlight work-life balance and career growth as top draws for potential workplaces.
This change in Gen Z’s attitude towards work may be in part because mechanisms (机制) behind finding jobs and seeing other possible career paths are changing, says Josh Graff, managing director of EMEA and LATAM at LinkedIn. With a greater number of jobs being posted online, “people have so much more access to information today than we did when we were applying for a job 20-plus years ago … This allows you to have much better visibility into a wealth of roles,” he says. “That change in the workplace, in the workforce … is leading people to understand there’s a wider range of options out there.”
1. Why did Johnson-Jones end up in investment banking?| A．She had a passion for finance. | B．She wanted to make a lot of money. |
| C．She found herself well suited for the career. | D．She felt pressure to take up a highly-regarded job. |
| A．Making money is still the main concern of younger workers. |
| B．Gen Zers are not interested in traditional “prestigious” jobs. |
| C．The definition of a “prestigious” job is changing for younger workers. |
| D．Short-time work is still considered prestigious for younger workers. |
| A．Whether they can have a good job title. |
| B．Whether they can receive a good salary. |
| C．Whether companies’ values are in line with theirs. |
| D．Whether they have enough opportunities to socialize. |
| A．The changing job search methods. |
| B．A lack of high-paying jobs in traditional industries. |
| C．A growing stress on companies’ social responsibility. |
| D．Increased access to information about potential career paths. |
3 . 
Q: Should I target my Application to a specific Job Opening (JO)?
A: Yes. Naturally, a customized cover note will also help you focus on the key aspects of your Application that relate to the JO, but it is also in your interest to target the Application according to the responsibilities and competencies of the position.
Q: What’s the difference between duties and achievements?
A: Duties describe the specific responsibilities of your job. They accurately reflect what you are doing or have done in each of your previous jobs. In other words, it is the “what you do” of your job. Achievements describe in specific terms “how well” you did in your job.
Q: Many of my achievements are team-based, how do I draft them in my Application?
A: You should include your team-based achievements in your Application. Indicate that you were part of a team, and describe your specific role in reaching the goal.
FAQs on general Application guidelines
Q: Can I save my Application?
A: Yes. You should save your Application when you make changes and/or update it. It is recommended that you save different versions of your Application in Word format and then edit the Application online according to the post for which you are applying.
Q: Can I update my Application to apply for a new JO?
A: Yes. Each time you apply for a new JO, we recommend that you review your Application and update it, if appropriate, or target it to better reflect your suitability for the new JO. Your updates will not affect the content of Applications previously submitted against other JOs.
Q: Must I use up all the available characters in each section of my Application?
A: No. In fact, doing so may result in an unnecessary lengthy Application. Unless you have an enormous range of experiences, there is no reason to use up all the space given. Applicants are encouraged to list their duties and achievements in a clear and brief manner.
| A．I’ve developed various interests, ranging from oil painting to designing model. |
| B．I’m good at creating proposals for new product ideas aimed at a specific market. |
| C．I’m in charge of the clearance, production and distribution of information material. |
| D．I succeeded in directing a video presentation, assisting our group to win the first prize. |
| A．target your focus on your interest in the JO |
| B．save your latest application in Word format |
| C．prepare one application with all your competencies |
| D．update your application to match new requirements |
| A．introduce what JOs they have previously applied to |
| B．list the greatest achievements they have made in detail |
| C．give key information about their experiences and achievements |
| D．provide the results of their tests, assessments and examinations |
4 . Both my parents worked for 30-plus years for their employers — they had lifelong careers at a single company. Growing up, they taught me the importance of “loyalty” and “commitment”.
But in a rapidly changing world, the concept of a job for life has become as rare as a dial-up internet connection. This shift from stable, long-term employment and single-employer careers to a world where frequent job changes are the norm comes directly from globalisation, rapid technological advancements and the changing ideas about work.
Globalisation has turned the world economy into a giant, interconnected web. This has made job markets fiercely competitive and talent and opportunities in the labour market more diverse and digitally accessible.
Jobs can be widely publicised and explored online and are no longer tied to your city of birth. Add to this the rapid technological progress. We now live in a world where the skills you learned yesterday might not be enough for today’s job market.
The job market is transforming, with new careers emerging as automation and artificial intelligence (AI) advances. Risks and price policies can be efficiently assessed using AI, making insurance underwriters redundant while advanced software in banking and finance mean data analysis can be automated.
Online booking has reduced demand for travel agents and desktop publishers are being replaced by user-friendly software, which allows people to create their own materials. These changes highlight the need for professionals to update their skills and adapt to a technologically evolving job market.
As a result, career paths have become fluid and multi-directional. It’s no longer just about climbing the corporate ladder and getting a regular paycheck; it’s about exploring different paths, switching jobs and industries and sometimes even venturing into freelancing and the gig economy.
Loyalty is defined as an employee’s commitment to their organisation and its goals. It means a willingness to put in extra effort and to uphold the company’s values and objectives. Loyal workers often identify strongly with their workplace, are reliable and view the organisation positively, even during tough times.
When long-term employees change workplaces, it does not mean they are disloyal. It signifies a change in priorities and a redefined loyalty bond. Employees are loyal to their employer and its interests while working there. But they also seek mutual growth and expect to be recognised and rewarded.
Career paths are now a kaleidoscope (万花筒) of experiences and opportunities. Instead of a career identity being about a company brand, it is about skills, experiences and the meaningfulness of the work. This transformation means career decision-making is more intricate, considering personal aspirations, market trends and family considerations.
1. What factors have contributed to the shift in job market dynamics?| A．Increased reliance on desktop publishing software. |
| B．Changing ideas about loyalty and commitment. |
| C．The decreasing demand for travel agents due to online booking systems. |
| D．Globalization, rapid technological advancements, and evolving work concepts. |
| A．Skills related to desktop publishing. |
| B．Skills that were relevant yesterday. |
| C．Skills in data analysis and adaptability. |
| D．Skills in insurance underwriting. |
| A．By remaining with a single employer for their entire career. |
| B．By prioritizing personal growth and recognition. |
| C．By relying on traditional definitions of loyalty. |
| D．By avoiding job changes to maintain loyalty. |
| A．Forget About a Job for Life |
| B．Learn More as Much as You Can |
| C．Benefit from Long-term Employment |
| D．The Impact of Globalization |
5 . If you’re considering changing careers, here are some steps to guide you through a change in your career path.
Take a personal inventory (清单). Consider your reactions to your current job and how they impact your job satisfaction.
Decide if you want to change industries.
Make an action plan. Creating your action plan means defining a clear goal and milestones (里程碑) to complete it. By this point, you’ve done all the research and should be able to narrow your career change to a specific occupation.
| A．Research potential job matches |
| B．Ask others in your professional network |
| C．It’s time to consider what it will take to get there |
| D．Write down notable events and how they make you feel |
| E．This will help you decide if the industry or field is a good fit |
| F．You should also define in what way you want to change career paths |
| G．For example, if you’re into IT industry, talk to those who are experts in this area |
6 . I asked four students what they were going to be when they grew up. Here are the results.
Wang Li: I want to be a movie director (导演). And I want to make movies more beautiful and exciting. Maybe you will see my great movies many years later. And I’m sure you will like them very much.
Eric: I want to be an actor because I love acting. I always perform with the DVD on, and I enjoy doing it. I take acting lessons three times a week and I’m going to continue acting in the university.
Thomas: When I grow up, I want to be a dentist. Because I am very interested in dentistry. I also want to make my mom and dad proud. But I need enough money to get the education.
Ray: I’m going to be a professional programmer. Why? I like to work on computers. I like surfing the Internet, and I know the job can help me realize my dream. I’m going to live in a big house with my pets — a cat and a puppy.
1. Who wants to make movies more beautiful and exciting?| A．Wang Li. | B．Thomas. | C．Ray. | D．Eric. |
| A．A director. | B．An actor. | C．A dentist. | D．A programmer. |
| A．Thomas needs enough money to get an education in dentistry. |
| B．Ray likes to work on computers and surf the Internet. |
| C．Eric takes acting lessons three times a week. |
| D．Wang Li wants to make his mom and dad proud. |
| A．Beautiful Dreams | B．Favorite Animals |
| C．Exciting Movies | D．Great Jobs |
7 . A new research from the University of Michigan stated, “People tend to have one of three beliefs about the meaning of work and which category you fall into largely depends on your parents.” Workers who are job-oriented (有工作倾向的) are those just trying to make a living who much prefer the activities they pursue outside of the office. Career-oriented adults value the social status and fame that comes with professional achievement. Calling-oriented people do work that they are passionate about because they want to have a positive impact on the world.
In the first study into how these orientations originate, researchers found that how teenagers perceive their parents’ work habit is central to the development of their own work attitudes. It’s not a straightforward transfer of values. People who perceive their father to have a strong career-orientation are more likely to be career-oriented themselves-but career-determined mothers have no effect on their kids’ work orientation. The researchers owed this to generational gender norms. When the study’s participants were teenagers, mostly in the1980s, men were more commonly employed outside of the home and were more likely than women to hold “career” jobs with opportunity for advancement. Mothers do have a notable effect on whether children have a job-orientation mentality. Teenagers who are close to their mothers are less likely to view work as just a job when they grow up, probably because they’ve been raised to value social, rather than instrumental life experiences.
Having both parents display the same work ethic (行为准则) has a strong influence, but only in the case of calling-oriented offspring (子女). As the society nowadays favors money and professional achievement, a child with two calling-oriented parents is more likely to have the confidence to ignore these societal pressures and pursue her dreams. Children can affect their parents’ work ethic, too. Allowing people to bring their children into the office has been shown to boost efficiency and productivity and could help raise that next generation of career-oriented workers.
1. What motivates calling-oriented people to do work they like?| A．To achieve social status and fame. | B．To pursue activities outside the office. |
| C．To believe they can earn them much money. | D．To make a positive contribution to the world. |
| A．Peer pressure. | B．Personal preferences. |
| C．Educational background. | D．Awareness of parents’ work habits. |
| A．Because mothers value social life experiences. |
| B．Because mothers focus on instrumental life experiences. |
| C．Because mothers tend to have a stronger career orientation. |
| D．Because mothers emphasize the importance of work as just a job. |
| A．The influence of societal pressures on work beliefs. |
| B．The preferences of workers in different occupations. |
| C．The impact of parental work habits on teenagers’ attitudes. |
| D．The relationship between money and professional achievement. |
8 . How to Help Your Teenager Decide on a Career
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” It used to be a cute question. But now that your child is a teen, they’re either sick of hearing it or frightened because they don’t have an answer. As a parent, helping your teenager choose a career is highly important.
Take the pressure off
Students leaving school often experience anxiety as they struggle to decide on a life plan. Some teens worry that they’ll disappoint their parents if they don’t take a direct path to a perfect job.
Lead by example
Help them identify their strengths
A key step in helping your teenager choose a career is aiding them to understand themselves.
If your teenager doesn’t have an idea of what they want to do after high school, it’s important to keep an open dialogue and gently encourage them.
| A．It may be beneficial to visit a career advisor. |
| B．That’s why we’ve put together this practical guide here. |
| C．But the weight of the world doesn’t rest on their shoulders. |
| D．Make it your responsibility to be a safe space for your teen. |
| E．You’re the first and most important role model in your teen’s life. |
| F．A great way to promote this is asking questions about their future. |
| G．As their parent, you naturally know your teen and what areas they are good at. |
9 . Advice on Choosing Your Career
You probably are very much concerned about which direction you take in your career, but before working through the process of generating and refining specific career choices, helicopter up to 10,000 feet from where you can view your overall career map, answer the big questions and set your overall direction.
Having laid out your overall map, set boundaries and defined your personal targets, you can then turn to practical issues.
Over time you can start to narrow down your choices and then choose one.
In 1804, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set off with a compass and direction, and a general destination of mapping the new Louisiana territories in America. But they had no exact map.
| A．Where, roughly, are you going? |
| B．Their successful expedition took two years. |
| C．In any event, you have a few years to explore. |
| D．Identify what you are good at, based on your skills and experiences. |
| E．That way, you’ll be more focused and thus more likely to achieve your goal. |
| F．You are looking for a match to what might suit you now, but that changes over time. |
| G．Your career project might take some time, as now you are probably short of information. |
10 . Balancing work and personal life is a challenge many people face in today’s fast-paced world. Achieving this balance can lead to a happier, more fulfilling life.
First, on a piece of paper, write down “Work Responsibilities.”
Next, on a second sheet, write “Personal Goals and Activities.” Think about what you enjoy doing in your free time.
On a third sheet, label it “Time Management.” Here, draft a weekly schedule, allocating time for both work and personal activities.
Lastly, reflect on the balance between your work and personal life.
| A．Include everything from exercise to relaxation, to hobbies and socializing. |
| B．Balance doesn’t mean equal hours for each, but rather a satisfying proportion. |
| C．Then see if you are spending enough time on things that matter to you. |
| D．It’s essential to recognize the need for a personal life outside of work. |
| E．The key is to prioritize tasks and manage time efficiently. |
| F．This will help you understand where your time goes each week. |
| G．Make sure to include any regular commitments or weekly tasks. |
