Professional writing: using relative clauses for CVs
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Think about these questions before reading. Share your ideas with a partner.
- What do you think is the most difficult part of writing a CV or job application?
- If you were hiring someone for a job, what would be the most important quality you would look for in a candidate?
- How can you make your experience sound impressive on a CV without being dishonest?
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Job Interview Practice
Listen to the dialogue. Notice how the vocabulary and grammar from the lesson are used to talk about job interviews.
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Answer these questions in your own words. Support your answers with evidence from the article.
01According to the article, what is the purpose of a relative clause in a sentence?
Sample answerIts purpose is to add extra information. For example, you can use 'who' to give more details about a person or 'where' for a place.
02What are some of the key vocabulary words the article mentions for discussing jobs?
Sample answerIt lists words like 'responsibilities', which are your duties, and 'qualifications', which are the skills or degrees you have for a job.
03In what way does the article suggest you can make your work experience sound more impressive on a CV?
Sample answerIt says you should focus on your achievements using strong action verbs, instead of just listing your daily tasks.
04How might the grammar topic from the article, relative clauses, be useful when writing about your qualifications?
Sample answerYou could use them to connect your skills to specific results, like 'I have a qualification in project management, which helped me lead a successful team'.
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Key vocabulary for CVs and job descriptions
Vocabulary
These expressions will help you describe your skills and experience more professionally.
Examples
A proven track record — evidence from your past work that shows you are successful at something.
Usage note: Use this formal phrase on your CV to sound professional. For example: 'a proven track record in sales' or 'of improving efficiency'.
Hands-on experience — practical knowledge and skill from doing a job, not just from studying.
Usage note: This is great for showing you can do a job in reality. You can say you have 'hands-on experience with a tool' or 'in a field'.
To meet a deadline — to finish a piece of work by the time or date it is supposed to be finished.
Usage note: This is a key skill in most jobs. The opposite is 'to miss a deadline'. On a CV, you might write: 'Successfully managed projects and consistently met deadlines'.
To work well under pressure — to be able to perform effectively and stay calm in difficult or stressful situations.
Usage note: This is a common 'soft skill' that employers look for. It's good to mention in an interview with an example.
To report to (someone) — to have a specific person as your manager who you are responsible to.
Usage note: This phrasal verb helps explain your position in a company structure. For example: 'In my previous role, I reported directly to the Project Manager'.
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Key job application vocabulary
Do you know these useful words and phrases for finding a job?
Match each word or phrase on the left with its correct definition on the right.
Drag or click to match
Definitions
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Grammar: Defining and non-defining relative clauses
Grammar
Relative clauses add extra information to a sentence. They are very useful on a CV to describe your skills, experiences, and the companies you've worked for. They start with a relative pronoun like 'who', 'which', 'that', or 'where'.
Examples
I managed a team that was responsible for marketing.
This is a defining clause. The information 'that was responsible for marketing' is essential to understand which team we are talking about. No commas are used.
My last project, which was very successful, increased sales by 20%.
This is a non-defining clause. The information 'which was very successful' is extra detail. The main sentence still makes sense without it. We must use commas.
The manager who interviewed me was very friendly.
We use 'who' for people. This defining clause tells us exactly which manager we are talking about.
Key points
- Defining clauses give essential information and do not use commas.
- Non-defining clauses give extra information and must use commas.
- You cannot use 'that' in a non-defining clause (the ones with commas).
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Spot the mistake
Read the sentences below about CVs and job experience.
Each sentence contains one error. Find and correct it.
01The manager, which interviewed me yesterday, was very friendly.
Corrected version
The manager, which who interviewed me yesterday, was very friendly.
02I am good at working well in pressure and meeting tight deadlines.
Corrected version
I am good at working well in under pressure and meeting tight deadlines.
03You need to list all your qualify on your CV.
Corrected version
You need to list all your qualify qualifications on your CV.
04In my previous role, I often meet deadlines ahead of schedule.
Corrected version
In my previous role, I often meet met deadlines ahead of schedule.
05The skill set that employers looks for is always changing.
Corrected version
The skill set that employers looks look for is always changing.
06My last job, that I left in June, was in the marketing department.
Corrected version
My last job, that which I left in June, was in the marketing department.
07A proven track record show that you have been successful in the past.
Corrected version
A proven track record show shows that you have been successful in the past.
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Useful phrases: asking questions in a job interview
Vocabulary
At the end of most job interviews, you'll be asked 'Do you have any questions for us?'. It's important to have some thoughtful questions ready. This shows you are genuinely interested in the role and the company. Here are some phrases you can use.
Examples
'Could you tell me a bit more about the day-to-day responsibilities?' — asking for more detail about the job.
Register: neutral/formal. This is a classic, safe question to show you are interested in the practical side of the work.
'What does a typical day or week look like in this role?' — a more casual way to ask about daily tasks.
Register: neutral. This friendly question can give you a better feel for the rhythm of the job and the work environment.
'Who would I be working most closely with?' — asking about the team structure.
Register: neutral/formal. Use this to show you are a team player and are thinking about how you would fit into the company.
'What are the biggest challenges for the team at the moment?' — showing you are proactive and solution-focused.
Register: neutral/formal. This is an impressive question that shows you're thinking about how you can help the company succeed.
'What do you enjoy most about working here?' — asking about company culture from a personal perspective.
Register: neutral/informal. This is a great question to ask the interviewer directly. It helps build a connection and gives you a real insight into the work environment.
'What are the next steps in the interview process?' — asking about what to expect next.
Register: neutral/formal. Use this as one of your final questions to show you are organized and interested in moving forward.
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Complete the sentences with words from the box. One word is extra.
Word bank
01In my previous role, it was essential to manage my time effectively to meet every .
02The job description says they are looking for someone who can work well under and in a fast-paced environment.
03This position requires experience with database management, not just theoretical knowledge.
04As a project assistant, you will need to directly to the senior project manager.
05Please list your academic and any relevant professional certifications on your CV.
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Discuss these questions with a partner. Try to use vocabulary from the lesson.
- In your country, is it more important for a CV to show a long, stable career at one company, or to show a variety of hands-on experience from different jobs? Explain your reasoning.
- Imagine you are hiring for a very stressful job. Which is more important in a candidate: a proven track record in a similar, less stressful role, or the ability to work well under pressure?
- Do you think it's always necessary to have a manager who you report to directly, or can some teams work effectively without a traditional boss? What are the advantages and disadvantages?