1. Look at the picture. What does it tell about? Guess what the blog below will be about. Why do you think so?

2. Read the blog, find out if your prediction is right and do the tasks.

Seek out opportunities

Think of things you can get involved in to support your career goal. By taking the initiative to fill gaps, you can get noticed by senior management.

Identify the gaps

Gain clarity on what the company is aiming to achieve. Understand what the strategy is, what the goals are, and the company’s top three priorities.

Think how you can contribute to fill the gaps the company is falling short on, based on where you want to position yourself.

Up your game

Decide what new skills you can learn or develop to support your career growth.

Innovate

How can you make or save the company money?

Think about growth in terms of new products and services, and this could be done by reviewing current practices.

Be a student

Observe others, ask questions in order to gain a deeper understanding of things, and be prepared to implement anything that supports your progress. When people see you’re able to do this, it demonstrates you’re open to listening to different perspectives and learning from others.

Stand in your power

There will always be someone that doesn’t believe in you, your vision or idea, but don’t allow that to stop you. Stand in your power and be bold, fearless, and free. Anything is possible.

(Adapted from http://www.businessinsider.com)

3. Look through the blog for the words in bold. Define their meanings marking the most suitable variants (A, B or C) and replace those in the blog.

4. Find answers to the questions in the blog.

1. What became the perfect opportunity to Danielle?

2. What can you say about her career? Was it easy? Why?

3. What advice does she give to her readers? Retell the advice briefly in your own words.

4. What conclusion can you make from the blog?

5. Which advice is the most useful for you personally?

5. Find two or more new phrasal verbs in the text. Explain their meaning. Share your ideas with your classmates.

6. Speak about the blog using Today’s idioms and Phrasal verbs.

7. Rewrite Danielle’s advice in your own way. Read your advice to the class.

8. Find information about another successful career example to present it in class.

Did you know?

In the late Forties, the typical manual labourer in Britain was given just one week's paid holiday a year.