Oral Practice

 Kate Gray is in a happy position: She has two job offers. The problem is to choose the job that will suit her better. Kate is a new graduate in geography and wants to work in the travel industry. 

She would like a job that includes travelling and working with people. Two different travel companies are offering her a position. She has the chance to work in the marketing department of Wide World Tours, a big company with about 3,000 employees and regional offices around the world.

Or she could work for Oz Travel, a small company which has only 19 employees and specialises in tours to Australia. You work for a careers advisory service. Kate asks you to help her make the correct choice.

Offer 1：WorldWide Tours

Job title: Marketing Assistant, Marketing Department

Pay:€30,000 per year

Responsibilities:Maintaincustomer database, carry out market research, help with promotions.No travelopportunities.

Thecompany: Largemodern offices, restaurant and sports facilities. Opportunities for trainingand development.

Anexisting employee says: “You have tobe ready to work very hard. Great opportunities for people withenergy and ambition.”

Offer 2： Oz Travel

Jobtitle: TravelConsultant

Pay:€22,000peryear

Responsibilities:Dealwithphone enquiries, sell tours, provide customer service; deal withsuppliers byphone and email; general administration if necessary.

Travel:VisitAustralia, help set up new contacts and new tours.

Thecompany: Smalloffice in city centre. Small business but if successful,may expand.

Anexisting employee says: “It is a very friendly place to work, butit can be stressful.”

Kate

Goodexam results, but not top-class. Practical, not very academic.

Workexperience: Before university, spent six months inAustralia working in a hotel.

Severaldifferent office administration jobs as a student.

Personality:Outgoing,lively and energetic, hard-working, ambitious. Likes working with peopleand beingin a team. Dislikes routine tasks and working at the computer for long hours.

Careerplan: Becomea product manager in a travel company, setting up new tours, negotiatingcontracts andmaking key decisions.

TASK:

Your group should include at least one person from Groups A, B and C respectively. Make a list of the advantages and disadvantages of each job offer. Then match the advantages of each job with Kate's preferences, personality and ambitions. 

Decide which job will suit her better and give her some advice based on your discussion.

Think about the following:

1 role and responsibilities

2 the company

3 pay

4 career prospects