Looking for a job
À la recherche d'un emploi
- Create and send your curriculum.
- Use job portals to search for a job.
This A2 lesson on "Looking for a job" teaches how to prepare and send a CV (curriculum vitae) and search for job offers online using key verbs like "rechercher" (to search), "imprimer" (to print), and "postuler" (to apply). You will practice useful phrases for emailing a CV and using job portal filters.
Vocabulary (20) Share Copied!
Exercises Share Copied!
These exercises can be done together during conversation lessons or as homework.
Exercice 1: Conversation exercise
Instruction:
- How long did you have to look for a job last time? (How long did you have to look for a job last time?)
- What is important when applying? (What is important when applying?)
- How does your CV look like? (How does your CV look like?)
Teaching guidelines +/- 10 minutes
Example phrases:
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J'ai cherché un emploi pendant trois mois. C'était un peu difficile, mais j'en ai trouvé un bon. I looked for a job for three months. It was a bit hard, but I found a good one. |
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J'ai trouvé un travail après un mois. J'ai utilisé des sites internet et envoyé de nombreux CV. I found a job after one month. I used websites and sent many CVs. |
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Il est très important d'envoyer votre CV et votre lettre de motivation par email. It is very important to send your CV and Cover letter via email. |
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Il est bon de dire que vous avez déjà de l'expérience dans le poste pour lequel vous postulez. It is good to say that you already have experience in the job position you are applying for. |
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Mon CV est simple et court. J'ai écrit mes compétences et mon dernier emploi. My CV is simple and short. I wrote my skills and last job. |
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Mon CV contient ma photo, mes coordonnées et mon historique professionnel. My CV has my photo, my contact details, and my work history. |
| ... |
Exercise 2: Dialogue Cards
Instruction: Select a situation and practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.
Exercise 3: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
1. _____ les offres d'emploi qui correspondent à votre profil.
(_____ job offers that match your profile.)2. _____ votre candidature avant de l'envoyer.
(_____ your application before sending it.)3. _____ rapidement pour augmenter vos chances d'être retenu.
(_____ quickly to increase your chances of being selected.)4. N'oubliez pas de _____ votre entretien avec motivation.
(Don't forget to _____ your interview with motivation.)Exercise 4: Looking for a Job
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Rechercher - Search
Présent
- je recherche
- tu recherches
- il/elle/on recherche
- nous recherchons
- vous recherchez
- ils/elles recherchent
Imprimer - Print
Impératif
- (tu) imprime
- (nous) imprimons
- (vous) imprimez
Postuler - Apply
Présent
- je postule
- tu postules
- il/elle/on postule
- nous postulons
- vous postulez
- ils/elles postulent
Imprimer - Print
Présent
- j'imprime
- tu imprimes
- il/elle/on imprime
- nous imprimons
- vous imprimez
- ils/elles impriment
Grammar Share Copied!
It's not the most exciting thing, we admit, but it’s absolutely essential (and we promise it'll pay off)!
Verb conjugation tables for this lesson Share Copied!
Rechercher to search Share Copied!
Impératif
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Recherche ! | You search |
| Recherchons | Let us search |
| Recherchez | You search |
Imprimer to print Share Copied!
Impératif
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Imprime | You print |
| Imprimons | Let's print |
| Imprimez | You print |
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Looking for a Job: Essential French Expressions and Skills
This lesson focuses on practical French language skills around the theme of seeking employment. It is designed for A2-level learners who want to confidently discuss job applications, create professional CVs, send emails to recruiters, and search for jobs online using appropriate vocabulary and phrases.
Key Topics Covered
- Preparing a Professional CV: Learn how to talk about your work experience, highlight key skills, and collaboratively write a mini CV. Important vocabulary includes "expérience professionnelle" (work experience), "compétences" (skills), and verbs like "mettre en valeur" (to highlight).
- Sending a CV by Email: Understand how to send your CV as an email attachment and how to write a polite, concise message introducing yourself and specifying the job you are applying for. Useful phrases are "envoyer en pièce jointe" (send as attachment), "lettre de motivation" (cover letter), and "poste visé" (position targeted).
- Searching for Jobs on a Website: Practice navigating job portals by searching with job titles and locations, and using filters like contract type and region. Key verbs include "chercher" (to search) and nouns like "offres d'emploi" (job offers).
Important Vocabulary and Expressions
- Recherchez – "Search" (imperative/formal you)
Imprimez – "Print" (imperative/formal you)
Postulez – "Apply" (imperative/formal you) - CV (curriculum vitae) – résumé of professional experience
- Compétences en communication – communication skills
- Envoyer une candidature – to send an application
Grammar Highlights: Verb Conjugation
The lesson includes practice with imperative forms (commands) and present indicative conjugations of common verbs used in job hunting, such as:
- Rechercher (to search): je recherche, tu recherches, il recherche, nous recherchons, vous recherchez, ils recherchent
- Imprimer (to print): imprime (imperative), j'imprime (present), etc.
- Postuler (to apply): je postule, tu postules, il postule, nous postulons, vous postulez, ils postulent
Contextual Short Story
The mini story integrates vocabulary and verb forms in context: "Aujourd'hui, je recherche des offres d'emploi en ligne... Je suis motivé et ponctuel, alors je postule à plusieurs postes..." This helps learners understand how to use these verbs naturally in sentences.
French vs English: Differences and Useful Phrases
French instructions often use the imperative form politely with vous (formal you), for example, "Recherchez" and "Imprimez," while English uses "search" and "print" without formal distinction. Additionally, job-related vocabulary sometimes differs in structure: "lettre de motivation" corresponds to "cover letter," and "poste visé" translates as "position targeted." English speakers should note that French verbs often require agreement with formal or plural subjects, which affects conjugation and politeness.
Useful French phrases for job seeking include:
- Bonjour, pouvez-vous m'aider à créer mon CV ? – Hello, can you help me create my CV?
- Envoyez votre CV en pièce jointe par email. – Send your CV as an email attachment.
- Je cherche un poste de secrétaire. – I am looking for a secretary position.
Mastering these expressions and structures will enhance confidence in French professional communication.
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