Should You Pay Someone To Write Your Cv? & Starting A New Job - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 16 General Training Reading Test 4 · Part 2 · Questions 15–27
Reading Passage
==== Read the text below and answer Questions 15-20. ====
Should you pay someone to write your CV?
In my view, the belief that the individual is the best person to write their own CV is not always true. Although many people can write their own CVs, and do it well, others struggle with a variety of problems initially, such as not knowing how to structure a CV or how to highlight their most relevant strengths.
Through in-depth consultation, a professional CV writer can help identify exactly what is necessary for a particular role, cut out unnecessary or irrelevant details, and pinpoint what makes the individual stand out. This level of objectivity is one of the major benefits of working with a professional writer. It’s often difficult to stand back from your own career history to assess what’s relevant or not, or to choose the most appropriate qualities.
If you do choose to work with a professional CV writer, here are some tips:
Ask for a CV writer who has experience in your sector. HR professionals and recruiters with relevant experience can also have valuable insights into what companies are looking for.
Look for someone who’s prepared to take the time to find out your core qualities, who can choose exactly the right words for maximum impact and who understands what and where to edit. Ask to see samples of their work or use personal recommendations before you choose a CV writing service.
You’ll probably need to answer an in-depth email questionnaire or be interviewed before any writing actually starts. The more you can give your CV writer to work with, the better, so the promise of a quick turnaround time isn’t always going to result in the best possible CV. Take the time to think about and jot down your career aims, your past successes, and the value you bring, before you start the whole process. Your CV will probably be used as a springboard for questions at interview, so you need to make sure you feel happy with the way it’s being written and with the choice of words. Being involved in the writing process means your CV sounds authentic.
==== Read the text below and answer Questions 21-27. ====
Starting a new job
First impressions really do last, so it’s important you perform well on your first day in the new job. Here are our top tips that will help you sail through your first day with ease. A new job is a great opportunity to hit the reset button. If you got into the habit of skipping breakfast at your last job, fit it in now or experiment with getting a workout in before going to the office. Having a routine you like and sticking to it definitely impacts on your overall happiness.
You’ve probably already been into the office for an interview, so you’ll have some idea of what the dress code is. While you definitely want to feel comfortable, it’s best to play it safe, leaning towards a smarter and more polished look on your first day.
You don’t want to be late, but getting to the office way too early can also potentially upset not only your schedule but other people’s too. A good rule of thumb is to try and arrive 15 minutes ahead of the agreed start time. Accepting an invite to lunch with your boss and co-workers will allow you to get to know the people you’ll be working with on a more personal level. It will also help you get a handle on personalities and work styles. To ensure the lunch goes well, have a few conversation starters in mind. That way, if the talk dries up, you can get it going again.
One of the big outcomes of going through a job search is you learn loads about yourself. In particular, you learn what you want and don’t want, and what skills you bring to the table. With this new-found understanding, take some time over the initial period to think about what goals you have for your new role. In identifying these early on, you’ll be one step closer to positioning yourself for success.
It’s important that you approach your new job with an open mind, and that you’re ready to soak it all in. Be patient with yourself as you figure out how you fit in, and make sure you understand the way things are done before rushing into giving suggestions on improvements. Remember they hired you for a reason, so smile, relax a little and enjoy the first day of your next big thing.
Questions
Questions 15–20 Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below. Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.
- Some jobseekers have difficulty with their CV because they have not learnt which qualities they should 15
- Professional CV writers know which 16 are best left out of the CV.
- CV writers with knowledge of a particular field of work often provide useful 17 about the skills firms expect from job applicants.
- It is advisable to request 18 of what a professional CV writer has previously produced.
- Professional CV writers often ask jobseekers to work through a 19 as a first step.
- If the jobseeker assists the professional writer, the tone of the CV will be 20
Questions 21–27 Note Completion
Complete the notes below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the text on page for each answer.
How best to tackle a new job
The first day
• Before arriving at work
o Try out a different morning 21 that will create a sense of well-being
o Make sure your chosen outfit conforms to the company’s 22
• If you eat with colleagues at midday:
o It will provide information on their 23 and the way they operate
o It may be wise to prepare some 24 to help the interaction flow
During the first few weeks
• Work out some 25 and how to go about fulfilling them
• Try to keep a completely 26 as you settle into the post
• Avoid making proposals at 27 too soon
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q15 | Highlight | how to highlight their most relevant strengths | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says how to 'highlight' your most important skills. This means to show them well so others can see them clearly. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Highlight'. It means to show or make something important clear. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'highlight' because in the passage, it talks about how a professional CV writer can help someone show their most important skills and strengths. They help to make these qualities clear and prominent in the CV. |
| Q16 | Details | cut out unnecessary or irrelevant details | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says a professional CV writer will remove details that are not needed or do not relate to the job. Answer Explanation: The answer means specific information or facts about something. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'details' because the passage explains that professional CV writers help cut out unnecessary information from a CV. They focus on the important parts, which are details that make the individual stand out for a job. |
| Q17 | Insights | HR professionals and recruiters with relevant experience can also have valuable insights into what companies are looking for | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that people who know a lot about hiring can provide important information about what companies want in applicants. Answer Explanation: The answer means 'important information or advice'. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'insights' because the passage talks about how CV writers with experience can give useful advice on what companies want when hiring. The keyword 'insights' shows that these writers provide helpful information. |
| Q18 | Samples | Ask to see samples of their work or use personal recommendations before you choose a CV writing service | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says you should look at examples of what the CV writer has written before, so you can decide if they are good at their job. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Samples'. This means pieces of work that a CV writer has done before. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Samples' because the passage says you should ask to see examples of the CV writer's past work. This way, you can understand their quality and style before you choose them. |
| Q19 | Questionnaire | You'll probably need to answer an in-depth email questionnaire or be interviewed before any writing actually starts | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that you will likely need to fill out a detailed set of questions or be interviewed before the CV writing begins. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Questionnaire'. This means a set of questions that someone fills out. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Questionnaire' because the passage mentions that professional CV writers often ask jobseekers to complete an in-depth questionnaire as a first step before writing the CV. This helps the writer understand the jobseeker better. |
| Q20 | Authentic | Being involved in the writing process means your CV sounds authentic | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that when you participate in writing your CV, it will sound real and true to you. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the CV will sound real and true to the person. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'authentic' because when a jobseeker helps the professional writer, the CV reflects their true voice and personal experiences. This involvement ensures that the CV does not sound fake and genuinely represents who they are. |
| Q21 | Routine | Having a routine you like and sticking to it definitely impacts on your overall happiness | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if you have a regular way of doing things that you enjoy, it will help you feel happier overall. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'routine.' This means having a regular way of doing things every morning. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'routine' because the passage talks about how having a routine you like can make you feel happier when you start a new job. It suggests that if you had a certain routine before, like eating breakfast or exercising, you should try to keep it or change it to something that makes you feel good. |
| Q22 | Dress code | You've probably already been into the office for an interview, so you'll have some idea of what the dress code is | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that since you've been to the office before, you know how to dress for work. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'dress code'. This means the rules about what clothes to wear at work. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'dress code' because the passage mentions knowing what the dress code is based on your previous visit to the office. It highlights the importance of dressing appropriately on your first day. |
| Q23 | Personalities | Accepting an invite to lunch with your boss and co-workers will allow you to get to know the people you'll be working with on a more personal level. It will also help you get a handle on personalities and work styles | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that having lunch with your boss and coworkers helps you learn about them personally and understand their personalities and work styles. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Personalities.' This means the different ways people behave and interact. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Personalities' because during lunch with colleagues, it helps you understand how they work and act. Learning about their personalities gives you better insight into your new work environment. |
| Q24 | Conversation starters | Accepting an invite to lunch with your boss and co-workers will allow you to get to know the people you'll be working with on a more personal level. It will also help you get a handle on personalities and work styles. To ensure the lunch goes well, have a few conversation starters in mind | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that having ideas to talk about can help you connect with your boss and coworkers during lunch and make the conversation easier. Answer Explanation: The answer means you should have some ideas to talk about when you eat with your new colleagues. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer fits because the text suggests bringing 'a few conversation starters in mind' to make the lunch conversation go smoothly. This helps you know your coworkers better and keeps the conversation from stopping. |
| Q25 | Goals | With this new-found understanding, take some time over the initial period to think about what goals you have for your new role. In identifying these early on, you’ll be one step closer to positioning yourself for success | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that knowing your goals early will help you do well in your new job. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Goals'. This means what you want to achieve in your new job. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Goals' because the passage talks about taking time to think about what you want to achieve in your new role. It emphasizes that identifying these goals early on helps you be successful. |
| Q26 | Open mind | It's important that you approach your new job with an open mind | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage is saying that when you start a new job, you should be ready to learn and be flexible about new things you will encounter. Answer Explanation: The answer means you should have a willingness to learn and be open to new experiences. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'open mind' because the passage says it's important to approach your new job with an open mind. This means you should be ready to learn and accept new ideas as you start work. |
| Q27 | Improvements | make sure you understand the way things are done before rushing into giving suggestions on improvements | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage means you should learn how your new workplace operates before you suggest any changes. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Improvements'. This means making things better. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Improvements' because the passage advises that you should avoid making suggestions for changes or improvements too soon in your new job. This means to wait before you propose any changes. |