Pre-Advanced Study sheet

Unit 4: My week

Read the job advertisments. Then read what some business

and management degree students say about their skills and
career aspirations. Complete the sentences to match the
students to their ideal job.

Sales Manager
A dynamic professional is needed to lead, supervise and organize
the sales team. You will have a proven track record of selling
products to meet customers’ needs. Responsibilities will include:

• analyzing sales data, tracking the team’s sales goals and

setting ambitious growth targets
• organizing team building and training sessions to ensure the
team are knowledgeable and motivated
• collaborating with the marketing department to generate new
customers, and keeping updated on key trends
• keeping in touch with existing customers and gathering
valuable feedback
• promoting the company’s products by giving presentations at
international sales conferences

C.E.O.
You will take full responsibility for the day-to-day running of the
company and its performance. This will involve:

• planning long-term business strategies to achieve the

company’s objectives
• chairing board meetings and the annual strategy meeting
• reviewing financial performance alongside the C.F.O., setting
budgets and making forecasts, reporting results to the
stockholders on a quarterly and annual basis
• implementing sales strategies to win new business in
conjunction with the Head of Sales
• interviewing for senior positions within the company and
building an effective management team

You will embody the standards and values of the company and lead
by example, following the company’s code of conduct at all times.

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Pre-Advanced Study sheet

Unit 4: My week

Production Manager
We currently have a vacancy for an experienced Production
Manager based at the company’s production facility.
Duties and responsibilities:

• recruiting, managing, disciplining, training, motivating and

developing the production team
• maintaining all machines and equipment so that orders can
be processed efficiently
• ensuring that rigorous health and safety standards are upheld
• having an overview of production processes and organizing
production schedules
• evaluating and renegotiating timescales and schedules as
necessary
• liaising with the distribution center and sales and marketing
staff at company headquarters
• being highly visible on the factory floor and conducting regular
walkabouts
Business Analyst
We are looking for a top performing business analyst with
experience of working in a competitive marketplace. You will be
required to:

• communicate with internal colleagues to understand the

needs of departments and the company as a whole
• work with external stakeholders to understand and investigate
feedback into our products
• use data-modeling techniques to analyze your findings and
put forward proposals for strategic and operational
improvements
• identify the information technology required to introduce your
recommendations
• ensure follow-up plans are made and processes are created to
evaluate the impact of the changes made
• update and support staff through any challenging times as
changes are implemented

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Pre-Advanced Study sheet

Unit 4: My week

Mohammed: The course has been challenging but I’ve loved it. I’ve
enjoyed all the subjects we’ve covered: sales, marketing,
accounting, finance… In my second year, I took an optional module
called “Data for Business”. It was really interesting. I learned how to
create and scrutinize reports based on data I collated to help
companies make better decisions. I’m good at math and
computing and that definitely helped because the module was
quite technical. I know the business world is fiercely competitive
but I know I have what it takes to make it.

1. Mohammed is best suited to be a …

a. Sales Manager.
b. C.E.O.
c. Production Manager.
d. Business Analyst.

Lucy: In the third year of my course I did a placement at a globally

known information technology company. I analyzed the internal
workings of the company, gave feedback and made
recommendations about how the business could be improved. It
was an invaluable experience as I got to know about all aspects of
the business. My long-term goal is to have an executive role
overseeing a technology business. I’m ambitious. I’m a leader. I
want to get to the top.

2. Lucy is best suited to be a …

a. Sales Manager.
b. C.E.O.
c. Production Manager.
d. Business Analyst.

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Pre-Advanced Study sheet

Unit 4: My week

James: During my degree, I discovered that one of my key skills

was leading people. I’m quite an extroverted, outgoing person so I
think I’d enjoy working in a lively, fast-paced environment, not just
stuck in the office all the time. My favorite module was on selling
techniques and how to negotiate. We learned that achieving sales
is the only way a business can become successful and that selling
is an art. I can’t wait to put that into practice in the real world.

3. James is best suited to be a …

a. Sales Manager.
b. C.E.O.
c. Production Manager.
d. Business Analyst.

Rose: I’m one of the top performers in my year and I’m very proud
of that. My tutors have praised me for being organized,
hard-working and showing dedication to the course. Apparently, I
also have a reputation for straight talking. This has led to some
conflicts with team members during group work because I felt
some of my colleagues weren’t contributing much. In terms of my
career ambitions, I’d like to work in a project management role, or
maybe quality control, as that’s where my strengths lie.

4. Rose is best suited to be a …

a. Sales Manager.
b. C.E.O.
c. Production Manager.
d. Business Analyst.

4/4