0 Work in small groups. Discuss these questions.

Would you say that these days, having 'advanced

digital know-how' is crucial in getting a good job?
What is more important to you, colleagues you get
on well with or a boss who values your skills and
One word, for me, sums up young people In today's workforce: talents?
dynamic. Perhaps because we are conscious of the diflicutties What are the dangers of excessive reliance on
faced by the generation immediately before us, we are coming technology in the workplace?
to the workplace better prepared. Realistic, rather than
optimistic, with the hope that our managers will empower =- Vocabulary
us in our daily duties, embrace our digital dependence,
and allow us to demonstrate how the business can be Dependent prepositions
improved by our contributions. In many companies, there
is still a reliance on the increasingly stale tactic of trying to ~ Page 188 Dependent prepositions
• keep stall happy with olflc.e perks that are designed to take
their minds oll the daily grind ol work. While we wouldn't '
0 Complete these extracts from Reading and Use of
necessarily steer clear of the bean·bag chairs, foosball tables English Part 8 by writing a preposition in each gap.
and pizza Fridays that seemingly kept people happy for so 1 ... oblivious to the major drawback of this type
long, they hold far less appeal for young employees these of mindset: it prevents them
days. We don't want distraction. We want to focus on our attracting the most promising candidates.
tasks entirety and whoteheartedty, accepting tong hours as 2 Perhaps because we are conscious
part of what we have to do 10 be successful. ......... ............. ... . the difficulties faced by the
Meanwhile, our instinctive bond with new technology is generation immediately before us, we are coming
frequently overlooked. I have one friend whose boss insists to the workplace better prepared.
that she take a notebook and pen to every meeting, even though 3 In many companies, there is still a reliance
she has a perfectly good note-taking app designed to Integrate ................................. the increasingly stale tactic of
all aspects ol her work. tt astonishes me that such devotion trying to keep staff happy with office perks that
to an outdated routine is still alive. Why go out of your way are designed to take their minds off the daily
grind of work.
to dispute the consensus in business around the world. that
advanced digital know·how Is increasingly imperative and brings 4 We wantto focus .................................... our tasks
only benefits to a company? Any eflectlve manager should entirely and wholeheartedly, accepting long
hours as part of what we have to do to be
jump at the chance to take advantage ol our substantial digital successful.
intelligence, not to mention our keenness to share our expertise.
5 In one area in particular, businesses are investing
Instead, younger stall seem to be evaluated on our ability to use
.....--..................... . innovation to attract today's
a spreadsheet program designed in the 1980s. It's time to move
bright-eyed job -hunters.
things forward. People of my age much prefer to get our work
done through instant messaging rather than sending emails. 6 ... forward-thinking employers are now
Yet so many businesses are still entirely dependent on this partnering software companies
to create company-specific, mobile-based games
tatter medium, which anyone with any sense knows is bound to that all potential candidates must play.
become obsolete soon. Over time - and some people would do
7 Millions of young people today are desperate
well to accept this - everything changes.
society to become more
D tn one area in particular, businesses are investing in innovation inclusive.
to attract today's bright-eyed job-hunters. Paper-based job
applications have been on their way out for a while, and forward· G Correct the mistake with the preposition in each of
thinking employers are now partnering with software companies these questions. Then discuss the questions with a
to create company-specific, mobile·based games that all potential partner.
candidates must play. Such a game might collect data on how
1 Do you think that a job application that focuses
well candidates solve problems, lor example, or use algorithms of candidates playing games rather than sending
to predict whether they would be a good fit within the company. a paper-based application is a good way to
Some companies even use games to determine whether the determine a candidate's suitability for a role?
user was state or privately educated, or if their parents went Why/ Why not?
to university (instead of having to ask these questions directly 2 A low salary is the biggest reason that prevents
at interview). Millions of young people today are desperate candidates for applying for a job. Do you agree?
torsociety to become more inclusive, and would undoubtedly 3 Do you think it's necessary for companies to
welcome any initiative centred on Improving the employment invest money on office perks, like foosball tables
prospects of less privileged applicants. That said, it might sit and pizza Fridays, to keep people motivated at
uncomfortably with those who are keen to be picked purely for
their talent and qualifications, however much they recognise the
need for increased diversity in the workplace.
work? Why/ Why not?

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