2024年2月21日发(作者：鱼娟丽)
* *
VLS B3 Unit 6
II. Basic Listening Practice
1. Script
M: Did you pick up the paper for me today? I really want to check the job vacancies.
W: I know, it’s over there. There’s not much happen though. I had a look already.
Maybe you should look on the Net instead.
Q: What is the man looking for?
2. Script
M: You don’t have enough experience or qualifications for this role. What makes you
believe you could handle the position?
W: I’m a fast learner and enjoy learning on the job. My natural skills lie in this area, and
I’m confident that I could handle the challenge. Given a chance, I would prove
myself.
Q: What is the woman saying?
3. Script
M: Could you help me with my resume? Jane said you’re good with these things, and I
really need someone to edit it. It’s way too long.
W: Sure, no problem, give I to me. A good resume should be no more than one page,
you know. And it should list you experience in reverse chronological order. I can see
we’ve got some work to do!
Q: Which of the following is true according to the conversation?
4. Script
M: Could you tell me why you would like to work for our company?
* *
W: Well, it has a good reputation as an employer, and its products are quite popular in
the marketplace. I would feel proud to work for a company like this and to contribute
a great deal to its success.
Q: Why does the woman apply for the job?
5. Script
W: Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
M: I aim to have been promoted to senior manager at the very least. I’m very ambitious
and want to climb up the career ladder as fast as possible. I don’t want to feel
miserable on the first rung in five years’ time, watching everybody above me.
Q: What does the man want in fie years?
Keys: 1.C 2.D 3. A 4.C 5.B
III. Listening In
Task 1: Tips for job interviews
A: After listening to the career officer’s talk, I’ve now realizes the importance of getting
prepared for an interview.
B: Quite true. First of all, we should never be late for an interview. If you’re not punctual,
they’ll suspect that you’ll be late for work in future.
A: Before going to the interview, we had better pay attention to our dress. We must
look professional without overdoing it. Careless clothes will lead them into thinking
that you’re likely to do your job carelessly.
B: During the interview, it is important to look confident without being too pushy. It’s
necessary to maintain eye contact. This shows your interest in the conversation, and
* *
helps to maintain the communication between you and the interviewer.
A: Many employers attach importance to the education you’ve received. We need to
highlight those courses especially valuable to the company.
B: Book knowledge is not enough. We must show them we have practical experience in
the field. Tell them about our internship, and emphasize the skills that are useful in
the job we’re seeking.
A: How clever you are! These days many students want to tell the prospective employer
that they have a good command of English and have obtained a College English Test
Band 4 Certificate.
B: They’re also eager to tell interviewer about their computer skills with PowerPoint,
office automation, and so on. Students from non-key universities especially need
certificates to shoe they’ve acquired those skills before they can hope to compete
against students from prestigious universities.
A: Character is considered an important factor in contemporary society, where
teamwork is a must.
B: But too many students are saying more or less the same thing. If everybody says, “I’m warm-hearted and cooperative, get along well with my classmates, and have
good team spirit,” the boss will soon get fed up.
A: Perhaps we should let the work we’ve done shoe our character.
B: Right on. Participation is important. If you can show them you’re an important
official of the Student Union of the university or the department, or you’ve organized
a singing competition and won an award, obviously you’re a good team player.
Key:
1. T 2. F 3. T 4. T 5. F 6. T 7. T
* *
Task 2 Are you ready for a phone interview
Script and key
Nowadays, many employers use telephone interviews to screen candidates in order
to narrow the pool of applicants who will be invited for in-person interviews. They are
also used as a way to minimize the expenses involved in interviewing out-of-town
candidates.
While you're job-searching, it's important to be prepared for a phone interview on a
moment's notice. You never know when a recruiter might call. So, you'd better take a
look at the following phone interview tips.
Before the interview, you should get well-prepared. For example, you can compile a
list of your background and skills, your strengths and weaknesses, as well as a list of
answers to typical phone interview questions You need to keep your resume on the top
of your desk or tape it to the wall near the phone, so it's at your fingertips when you
need to answer questions. Also, you should have a pen and paper handy for note
taking.
It's helpful to practice interviewing. You can rehearse answers to those typical
questions you might be asked. Have a friend or family member conduct a mock
interview and tape record it, so you can see how you sound over the phone. In this way,
you'll be able to hear your "ums" and "uhs" and "OKs", and you can practice reducing
them from your conversational speech.
During the phone interview, try to smile. Smiling will project a positive image to the
listener and will change the tone of your voice. Over the phone, you must speak slowly,
clearly and politely. You should use the interviewer's title (Mr. or Ms. and their last
* *
name), and remember to only use a first name if they ask you to. It is essential not to
interrupt the interviewer. On your part, you should try to give answers that are short
and to the point.
Finally, remember your goal is to set up a face-to-face interview. After you thank the
interviewer, ask if it would be possible to meet in person.
Questions and key
1. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a purpose of screening candidates on
the phone?
B) To test candidates' psychological stability when thcy speak on the phone.
2. What can you infer from the speaker's recommendation of compiling a list of
information about yourself.
C) Without it, you may become disorganized while being interviewed
3. What does the speaker say about your resume?
C) Put it near the phone.
4. According to the speaker, why should you conduct a simulated interview?
A) To reduce unnecessary words in an interview.
5. Which of the following is suggested when you address the interviewer on the phone?
D) All of the above.
Task3: A Guide to a Successful Job Interview
Script and key
Your resume, or CV in British English, has one mission and one mission only: to get
you a job interview. Your resume is usually the first impression an employer has of you.
And as “you never get a second chance to make a first impression”, you‘d better get
it right firs time. Here’re some suggestions that may be of use in preparing a resume.
* *
First, use a design that demands attention. Employers don’t have time to read through
each of your job descriptions to know if you have the skills they need. The design of
your resume must do it for them. Your resume should be concise, well-organized and
relevant. It should emphasized the most important and relevant points about your
experience, skills and education.
Second, put important information first. List important information at the
beginning of your job descriptions. Put statements in your resume in order of
importance and relevance to the job you want. A powerful statement with exact
numbers influences every statement that follows.
Third, target the job. You will have more success if you adjust your resume and cover
letter for the specific skills another job. In other words, you need to “re-package”
yourself. In that way, an employer will see immediately that you correspond to the job
description. It is not dishonest to “re-package” yourself. You are simply pressing
yourself and your skills in the best light for a particular employer. This will help you to
get more interviews and allow you to apply for a wider range o jobs.
1. Why does the speaker say the resume is important?
2. Which of the following will NOT be regarded as a feature of good resume?
3. Where should you put the important information in your job descriptions according
to the passage?
4. How many resumes would the speaker advise you to write if you applied for three
jobs?
5. What is the passage mainly about?
Keys: 1.C 2.A 3.A 4.C 5.B
* *
IV. Speaking Out
MODEL 1 Can you give me some tips about how to get a
good job?
Susan: John, can you give me some tips about how to get a good job?
John: Did you go to the job fairs and meet with companies?
Susan: Yeah, I did. But they didn’t seem to be interested in women. I thought about
suing then for sexual discrimination.
John: I’m afraid it won’t be much help. Have you looked at the want ads in the
newspaper?
Susan: I’ve been checking the want ads every day for a week, but I can’t find anything
interesting that I’m qualified for. And the few that I have seen are very
low-paying.
John: Then try the Internet. You can use a search engine to find a job site related to
your field.
Susan: Good thinking! Thanks! I think I’ll look for something in electronic engineering.
John: Hey, I just saw a job opening at a company called E-Tech. It could be just the
sort of thing you’re looking for.
Susan: Great, I’ll try my luck there.
John: Yeah, but if I remember, the deadline is this afternoon.
Susan: This afternoon? Oh no! I’d better get online quickly and see if I can submit my
resume by E-mail.
John: Wait, have you updated your resume? You’d better include your work experience
from the IT company last summer.
Susan: Don’t worry. It’s all set. Thanks, mate.
* *
John: Any time, Sue.
MODEL2 Do you have any tips for a successful interview?
Script
Susan: John, do you have any tips for a successful interview?
John: Well, first of all, you need to dress professionally.
Susan: Oh, what about during the interview?
John: Ok, be sure to maintain good eye contact and answer all questions politely and
directly. Don’t look too shy, nor should you sound too aggressive.
Susan: I’m not sure what kind of questions they’ll ask.
John: They’ll probably want to know a little about your work experience. Many
companies don’t want a completely green hand. They don’t want to spend time
and money on training.
Susan: Fortunately, I gained some experience at an IT company during the last summer
holiday.
John: They may also want to know something about your character. You see, ability for
teamwork is usually valued.
Susan: What kind of questions should I ask them?
John: You should ask them about the job requirements and about the company.
Susan: Should I ask about salary and fringe benefits?
John: Better not. Not unless they bring it up. Just use the first interview to sell yourself.
Susan: You’re right. If they are interested in hiring me, there will be plenty of chances to
talk about money later.
John: Right. And the more interested they are, the more they’ll offer.
* *
MODEL3 Our best bet is to recruit from the competition.
Script
Helen: Our company is starting from scratch, so we don’t have the expertise to
compete.
Bill: Then our best bet is to recruit from the competition.
Helen: We need managers who know how to be strong, yet know how to give
employees their freedom.
Bill: That’s essential, especially in the computer industry. Often computer experts like
to work on their own.
Helen: We also don’t believe that a right management system will work wonders for
our company.
Bill: Um…that philosophy will help you attract many worthwhile people.
Helen: I remember your friend David Miller is the CEO of a management recruitment
agency. I hope he’ll help us start a recruitment drive.
Bill: Certainly. And it’s a good time, too. A number of firms have been downsizing.
Helen: Good. So lots of capable people out there are interested in bigger and batter
things. But can David help us pin them down?
Bill: Sure, Helen! That’s why they call them headhunters.
Now Your Turn
SAMPLE DIALOG
A: Can you give me some advice on how to succeed in an interview?
B: Well, first of all, you need to pay attention to your appearance. You have to dress
appropriately.
* *
A: What do you mean by appropriately?
B: It’s often best to wear a suit. Some bosses don’t like to see a candidate on a dirty
T-shirt and jeans.
A: I see. Careless clothes may be an indicator of careless attitude in work.
B: Right on. Also, many employers are unwilling to hire a young man with his hair dyed
red or yellow.
A: Then, what about during the interview?
B: You should speak politely but firmly. If you look too shy, they may suspect you are
not capable of dealing with a challenging task.
A: I’m not sure what kind of questions they’ll ask.
B: They’ll probably want to know something about your work experience. Companies
usually don’t want an entirely new hand. They don’t want to spend time and money
on training.
A: Fortunately, I gained some experience at a law of firm during the last summer holiday.
I worked as an intern to provide free legal advice for those who need it.
B: Oh. I see, this is what they called “legal assistance to the needy”. Also, a company
may want to know something about your character. You see, team players are often
valued above all others.
A: What kind of questions should I ask them?
B: You should ask them about the job requirements and about the company.
A: I hear that many companies asked the candidates what salary they expect.
B: That’s true. You have to inquire about the possible salary level for a green hand in
advance. If the salary you expect is reasonable, this shows that you know the
professions well and will have a good impression on the interviewer.
* *
A: Oh, I’ve learned so much from you. A thousand thanks.
V. Let’s Talk
Script
Voice-over:T-Mobile is a subsidiary of Deutsche Telecom, the giant German telephone
company. T-Mobile is their global mobile phone operation. Nine hundred
people work at the company's call centre in Greenock, which was set up only
five years ago; 760 of them are employed in handling customer calls and they
are managed by 70 team managers and 10 operations managers. In a
large-scale operation like this, the role of recruitment and training is the
responsibility of a dedicated on-site human resources department.
Woman: We have a training team, headed up by two leading advisers and supported
by a number of customer-facing advisers who've been moved into the role of
training. The theory behind is, these are the people who are doing the job, are
in the best place to train that job to other people.
[On-screen text: Helen Young, Human Resources Adviser]
Helen: Our recruitment is divided into two main sections. We have a CSA recruitment:
Customer Service Adviser, and we also have all the other recruitment. It's crucial
to us that we get the right people for the job, absolutely crucial, and we do
whatever possible to ensure that people have realistic expectations of the job
before they, before they're made an offer.
Helen: In the initial stages they'd be given a telephone interview which would last
somewhere in the region of 15 minutes. Following that, they'd be invited to
come on-site. They'd have a tour of the centre. They then get, if you like, an
* *
opportunity to try us on for size. They get to see the role, they get to see how it
feels, feel the culture of the company and if they're still happy at that stage and
want to apply, then they need to do so formally. They would then complete an
application form and be brought on-site for a two-hour assessment. The
assessment consists of a role-play, which looks at their customer service ability
and a competency interview. We need people who have the ability to
communicate well and deliver the customer service that we want to deliver. We
have a full age range of employees coming from various different backgrounds:
manufacturing, customer service straight through to school leavers.
Key
(1) 900 (2) customer calls (3) 70 (4) human resources (5)
supported
(6) customer-facing (7) place
(10) realistic
(8) two (9) right people
VI. Further Listening and Speaking
Task 1: Tell me about yourself.
Script
M: Tell me a little about yourself.
W: I’m from Guilin City.
M: What brought you to the east coast?
W: I came to Qingdao to attend college. I’m impressed by this city’s dynamic economy.
I’ve come to love it so much that I’ve decided to stay and work here.
M: What work experience do you?
W: I worked as an intern for a small shipping company. And my primary responsibilities
* *
were to maintain the company’s ties with the existing customers and try to find
new cargo sources.
M: And what did that experience teach you?
W: I learned that communication skills are extremely important. The knowledge I
acquired from textbooks is indeed, but it is equally essential to be able to persuade
a potential client t to trust you.
M: How would your former employer describe you?
W: He told me that my ability to find one customer after another was an asset to the
company. He thanked me for my loyalty. He also appreciated my team as shown in
my cooperation with my colleague.
M: You seem very mature for your age. And I see from your resume that you are very
goal-oriented.
W: Thank you. I believe I’ve acquired many good qualities from my parents. They’re my
role models. However, I know I still have a lot to learn.
The woman went from Guilin City to the east coast city of Qingdao to attend college.
She was impressed by the latter’s dynamic economy. Now shi is being interviewed for
a job. She says she once worked as an intern for a small shipping company to maintain
the company’s ties with the existing customers and try to find new cargo sources. There
she learned the importance of communication skills. She has realized that book
knowledge is indeed necessary, but it is equally essential to persuade potential clients
to trust her. Her former employer said her ability to find customers was an asset to the
company. He appreciated the loyalty and team spirit. The interviewer finds her mature
for her age and very goal-oriented. And she believes that she has acquired many good
* *
qualities form her parents, but still has a lot to learn.
Task 2: A Work Qualification Test
Script
Murphy applies for an engineering position at an Irish firm based in Dublin. An
American applied for the same job. Quite by coincidence, the two amplifications, and
were asked to take the same test by the manager of the Human Resource Department.
Upon completion of the test, both men missed only one of the questions. The manager
went to Murphy and said, “Thank you for your interest, but we’ve decided to give the
American the job.”
Bewildered by the manager’s decision, Murphy asked, “Why would you be doing that?
We both got nine questions correct. This being Ireland and me being Irish, I should get
the job!”
The manger answered calmly, “We have made our decisions based on the correct
answers, but on the question you missed.”
Unconvinced and somewhat indignant, Murphy question, “And just how would one
incorrect answer be better than the other?”
The manager’s maser took him by surprise, “Simple, on QuestionNo.5, the American
put down ‘I don’t’ know’, and you put down ‘Neither do I’.”
Key: 1. F 2. T 3. T 4. F 5. T
Task3:
A guide to a successful job interview
There are times that you will be asked a hard question during a job interview. Don’t panic, they just want to see how you handle a difficult situation. Being prepared is
always the best policy. Here are some samples of questions and some advice on how to
* *
handle them properly.
Why should we choose you? To this question, you can ask yourself why you applied,
what makes you suitable for this question, what the company can gain from hiring you,
what you have to offer, how you would handle this jib, etc.
Often they ask you to tell them about yourself. You can split your answer into two,
the professional and the personal level. Both are important, and how you move from
one to the other depends on what you have to say. You can give a brief summary of
your life, professional and personal, with less emphasis on the early past, and more
emphasis on the present and the future.
When asked “What are your weakness?”, don’t say, “I don’t have any.” Everyone
has weakness, and it takes something positive like, “I haven’t had a lot of exposure on
the on-site work, but I’m looking forward to being more involved in dealing with
customers directly and learning their needs.”
Another common question is: “What are your strengths?” You should customize
your answer to meet the position requirement. Keep in mind the things they asked for
in the advertisement. Tell them your strengths, but also show them how they how they
would apply to this job. To show how your strengths were valuable, use the “Why,
where, when, how” to demonstrate and prove your strengths.
1. What is the passage mainly concerned with?
2. What does the speaker NOT mention as an answer to the question, “Why should we
choose you?”?
3. What does the speaker say you should stress when introducing yourself?
4. What does the speaker advice you NOT to say when asked, “What are your
* *
weaknesses?”
5. What should you say when asked about your strong points?
Key: 1C 2.C3. B 4.A 5.D
Viewing and Speaking
Key:
1) selection 2) pressure 3) marketing
business
6) nervous 7) laugh 8) redundant
sacking
4) interview
9) difficult
5)
10)
2024年2月21日发(作者：鱼娟丽)
* *
VLS B3 Unit 6
II. Basic Listening Practice
1. Script
M: Did you pick up the paper for me today? I really want to check the job vacancies.
W: I know, it’s over there. There’s not much happen though. I had a look already.
Maybe you should look on the Net instead.
Q: What is the man looking for?
2. Script
M: You don’t have enough experience or qualifications for this role. What makes you
believe you could handle the position?
W: I’m a fast learner and enjoy learning on the job. My natural skills lie in this area, and
I’m confident that I could handle the challenge. Given a chance, I would prove
myself.
Q: What is the woman saying?
3. Script
M: Could you help me with my resume? Jane said you’re good with these things, and I
really need someone to edit it. It’s way too long.
W: Sure, no problem, give I to me. A good resume should be no more than one page,
you know. And it should list you experience in reverse chronological order. I can see
we’ve got some work to do!
Q: Which of the following is true according to the conversation?
4. Script
M: Could you tell me why you would like to work for our company?
* *
W: Well, it has a good reputation as an employer, and its products are quite popular in
the marketplace. I would feel proud to work for a company like this and to contribute
a great deal to its success.
Q: Why does the woman apply for the job?
5. Script
W: Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
M: I aim to have been promoted to senior manager at the very least. I’m very ambitious
and want to climb up the career ladder as fast as possible. I don’t want to feel
miserable on the first rung in five years’ time, watching everybody above me.
Q: What does the man want in fie years?
Keys: 1.C 2.D 3. A 4.C 5.B
III. Listening In
Task 1: Tips for job interviews
A: After listening to the career officer’s talk, I’ve now realizes the importance of getting
prepared for an interview.
B: Quite true. First of all, we should never be late for an interview. If you’re not punctual,
they’ll suspect that you’ll be late for work in future.
A: Before going to the interview, we had better pay attention to our dress. We must
look professional without overdoing it. Careless clothes will lead them into thinking
that you’re likely to do your job carelessly.
B: During the interview, it is important to look confident without being too pushy. It’s
necessary to maintain eye contact. This shows your interest in the conversation, and
* *
helps to maintain the communication between you and the interviewer.
A: Many employers attach importance to the education you’ve received. We need to
highlight those courses especially valuable to the company.
B: Book knowledge is not enough. We must show them we have practical experience in
the field. Tell them about our internship, and emphasize the skills that are useful in
the job we’re seeking.
A: How clever you are! These days many students want to tell the prospective employer
that they have a good command of English and have obtained a College English Test
Band 4 Certificate.
B: They’re also eager to tell interviewer about their computer skills with PowerPoint,
office automation, and so on. Students from non-key universities especially need
certificates to shoe they’ve acquired those skills before they can hope to compete
against students from prestigious universities.
A: Character is considered an important factor in contemporary society, where
teamwork is a must.
B: But too many students are saying more or less the same thing. If everybody says, “I’m warm-hearted and cooperative, get along well with my classmates, and have
good team spirit,” the boss will soon get fed up.
A: Perhaps we should let the work we’ve done shoe our character.
B: Right on. Participation is important. If you can show them you’re an important
official of the Student Union of the university or the department, or you’ve organized
a singing competition and won an award, obviously you’re a good team player.
Key:
1. T 2. F 3. T 4. T 5. F 6. T 7. T
* *
Task 2 Are you ready for a phone interview
Script and key
Nowadays, many employers use telephone interviews to screen candidates in order
to narrow the pool of applicants who will be invited for in-person interviews. They are
also used as a way to minimize the expenses involved in interviewing out-of-town
candidates.
While you're job-searching, it's important to be prepared for a phone interview on a
moment's notice. You never know when a recruiter might call. So, you'd better take a
look at the following phone interview tips.
Before the interview, you should get well-prepared. For example, you can compile a
list of your background and skills, your strengths and weaknesses, as well as a list of
answers to typical phone interview questions You need to keep your resume on the top
of your desk or tape it to the wall near the phone, so it's at your fingertips when you
need to answer questions. Also, you should have a pen and paper handy for note
taking.
It's helpful to practice interviewing. You can rehearse answers to those typical
questions you might be asked. Have a friend or family member conduct a mock
interview and tape record it, so you can see how you sound over the phone. In this way,
you'll be able to hear your "ums" and "uhs" and "OKs", and you can practice reducing
them from your conversational speech.
During the phone interview, try to smile. Smiling will project a positive image to the
listener and will change the tone of your voice. Over the phone, you must speak slowly,
clearly and politely. You should use the interviewer's title (Mr. or Ms. and their last
* *
name), and remember to only use a first name if they ask you to. It is essential not to
interrupt the interviewer. On your part, you should try to give answers that are short
and to the point.
Finally, remember your goal is to set up a face-to-face interview. After you thank the
interviewer, ask if it would be possible to meet in person.
Questions and key
1. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a purpose of screening candidates on
the phone?
B) To test candidates' psychological stability when thcy speak on the phone.
2. What can you infer from the speaker's recommendation of compiling a list of
information about yourself.
C) Without it, you may become disorganized while being interviewed
3. What does the speaker say about your resume?
C) Put it near the phone.
4. According to the speaker, why should you conduct a simulated interview?
A) To reduce unnecessary words in an interview.
5. Which of the following is suggested when you address the interviewer on the phone?
D) All of the above.
Task3: A Guide to a Successful Job Interview
Script and key
Your resume, or CV in British English, has one mission and one mission only: to get
you a job interview. Your resume is usually the first impression an employer has of you.
And as “you never get a second chance to make a first impression”, you‘d better get
it right firs time. Here’re some suggestions that may be of use in preparing a resume.
* *
First, use a design that demands attention. Employers don’t have time to read through
each of your job descriptions to know if you have the skills they need. The design of
your resume must do it for them. Your resume should be concise, well-organized and
relevant. It should emphasized the most important and relevant points about your
experience, skills and education.
Second, put important information first. List important information at the
beginning of your job descriptions. Put statements in your resume in order of
importance and relevance to the job you want. A powerful statement with exact
numbers influences every statement that follows.
Third, target the job. You will have more success if you adjust your resume and cover
letter for the specific skills another job. In other words, you need to “re-package”
yourself. In that way, an employer will see immediately that you correspond to the job
description. It is not dishonest to “re-package” yourself. You are simply pressing
yourself and your skills in the best light for a particular employer. This will help you to
get more interviews and allow you to apply for a wider range o jobs.
1. Why does the speaker say the resume is important?
2. Which of the following will NOT be regarded as a feature of good resume?
3. Where should you put the important information in your job descriptions according
to the passage?
4. How many resumes would the speaker advise you to write if you applied for three
jobs?
5. What is the passage mainly about?
Keys: 1.C 2.A 3.A 4.C 5.B
* *
IV. Speaking Out
MODEL 1 Can you give me some tips about how to get a
good job?
Susan: John, can you give me some tips about how to get a good job?
John: Did you go to the job fairs and meet with companies?
Susan: Yeah, I did. But they didn’t seem to be interested in women. I thought about
suing then for sexual discrimination.
John: I’m afraid it won’t be much help. Have you looked at the want ads in the
newspaper?
Susan: I’ve been checking the want ads every day for a week, but I can’t find anything
interesting that I’m qualified for. And the few that I have seen are very
low-paying.
John: Then try the Internet. You can use a search engine to find a job site related to
your field.
Susan: Good thinking! Thanks! I think I’ll look for something in electronic engineering.
John: Hey, I just saw a job opening at a company called E-Tech. It could be just the
sort of thing you’re looking for.
Susan: Great, I’ll try my luck there.
John: Yeah, but if I remember, the deadline is this afternoon.
Susan: This afternoon? Oh no! I’d better get online quickly and see if I can submit my
resume by E-mail.
John: Wait, have you updated your resume? You’d better include your work experience
from the IT company last summer.
Susan: Don’t worry. It’s all set. Thanks, mate.
* *
John: Any time, Sue.
MODEL2 Do you have any tips for a successful interview?
Script
Susan: John, do you have any tips for a successful interview?
John: Well, first of all, you need to dress professionally.
Susan: Oh, what about during the interview?
John: Ok, be sure to maintain good eye contact and answer all questions politely and
directly. Don’t look too shy, nor should you sound too aggressive.
Susan: I’m not sure what kind of questions they’ll ask.
John: They’ll probably want to know a little about your work experience. Many
companies don’t want a completely green hand. They don’t want to spend time
and money on training.
Susan: Fortunately, I gained some experience at an IT company during the last summer
holiday.
John: They may also want to know something about your character. You see, ability for
teamwork is usually valued.
Susan: What kind of questions should I ask them?
John: You should ask them about the job requirements and about the company.
Susan: Should I ask about salary and fringe benefits?
John: Better not. Not unless they bring it up. Just use the first interview to sell yourself.
Susan: You’re right. If they are interested in hiring me, there will be plenty of chances to
talk about money later.
John: Right. And the more interested they are, the more they’ll offer.
* *
MODEL3 Our best bet is to recruit from the competition.
Script
Helen: Our company is starting from scratch, so we don’t have the expertise to
compete.
Bill: Then our best bet is to recruit from the competition.
Helen: We need managers who know how to be strong, yet know how to give
employees their freedom.
Bill: That’s essential, especially in the computer industry. Often computer experts like
to work on their own.
Helen: We also don’t believe that a right management system will work wonders for
our company.
Bill: Um…that philosophy will help you attract many worthwhile people.
Helen: I remember your friend David Miller is the CEO of a management recruitment
agency. I hope he’ll help us start a recruitment drive.
Bill: Certainly. And it’s a good time, too. A number of firms have been downsizing.
Helen: Good. So lots of capable people out there are interested in bigger and batter
things. But can David help us pin them down?
Bill: Sure, Helen! That’s why they call them headhunters.
Now Your Turn
SAMPLE DIALOG
A: Can you give me some advice on how to succeed in an interview?
B: Well, first of all, you need to pay attention to your appearance. You have to dress
appropriately.
* *
A: What do you mean by appropriately?
B: It’s often best to wear a suit. Some bosses don’t like to see a candidate on a dirty
T-shirt and jeans.
A: I see. Careless clothes may be an indicator of careless attitude in work.
B: Right on. Also, many employers are unwilling to hire a young man with his hair dyed
red or yellow.
A: Then, what about during the interview?
B: You should speak politely but firmly. If you look too shy, they may suspect you are
not capable of dealing with a challenging task.
A: I’m not sure what kind of questions they’ll ask.
B: They’ll probably want to know something about your work experience. Companies
usually don’t want an entirely new hand. They don’t want to spend time and money
on training.
A: Fortunately, I gained some experience at a law of firm during the last summer holiday.
I worked as an intern to provide free legal advice for those who need it.
B: Oh. I see, this is what they called “legal assistance to the needy”. Also, a company
may want to know something about your character. You see, team players are often
valued above all others.
A: What kind of questions should I ask them?
B: You should ask them about the job requirements and about the company.
A: I hear that many companies asked the candidates what salary they expect.
B: That’s true. You have to inquire about the possible salary level for a green hand in
advance. If the salary you expect is reasonable, this shows that you know the
professions well and will have a good impression on the interviewer.
* *
A: Oh, I’ve learned so much from you. A thousand thanks.
V. Let’s Talk
Script
Voice-over:T-Mobile is a subsidiary of Deutsche Telecom, the giant German telephone
company. T-Mobile is their global mobile phone operation. Nine hundred
people work at the company's call centre in Greenock, which was set up only
five years ago; 760 of them are employed in handling customer calls and they
are managed by 70 team managers and 10 operations managers. In a
large-scale operation like this, the role of recruitment and training is the
responsibility of a dedicated on-site human resources department.
Woman: We have a training team, headed up by two leading advisers and supported
by a number of customer-facing advisers who've been moved into the role of
training. The theory behind is, these are the people who are doing the job, are
in the best place to train that job to other people.
[On-screen text: Helen Young, Human Resources Adviser]
Helen: Our recruitment is divided into two main sections. We have a CSA recruitment:
Customer Service Adviser, and we also have all the other recruitment. It's crucial
to us that we get the right people for the job, absolutely crucial, and we do
whatever possible to ensure that people have realistic expectations of the job
before they, before they're made an offer.
Helen: In the initial stages they'd be given a telephone interview which would last
somewhere in the region of 15 minutes. Following that, they'd be invited to
come on-site. They'd have a tour of the centre. They then get, if you like, an
* *
opportunity to try us on for size. They get to see the role, they get to see how it
feels, feel the culture of the company and if they're still happy at that stage and
want to apply, then they need to do so formally. They would then complete an
application form and be brought on-site for a two-hour assessment. The
assessment consists of a role-play, which looks at their customer service ability
and a competency interview. We need people who have the ability to
communicate well and deliver the customer service that we want to deliver. We
have a full age range of employees coming from various different backgrounds:
manufacturing, customer service straight through to school leavers.
Key
(1) 900 (2) customer calls (3) 70 (4) human resources (5)
supported
(6) customer-facing (7) place
(10) realistic
(8) two (9) right people
VI. Further Listening and Speaking
Task 1: Tell me about yourself.
Script
M: Tell me a little about yourself.
W: I’m from Guilin City.
M: What brought you to the east coast?
W: I came to Qingdao to attend college. I’m impressed by this city’s dynamic economy.
I’ve come to love it so much that I’ve decided to stay and work here.
M: What work experience do you?
W: I worked as an intern for a small shipping company. And my primary responsibilities
* *
were to maintain the company’s ties with the existing customers and try to find
new cargo sources.
M: And what did that experience teach you?
W: I learned that communication skills are extremely important. The knowledge I
acquired from textbooks is indeed, but it is equally essential to be able to persuade
a potential client t to trust you.
M: How would your former employer describe you?
W: He told me that my ability to find one customer after another was an asset to the
company. He thanked me for my loyalty. He also appreciated my team as shown in
my cooperation with my colleague.
M: You seem very mature for your age. And I see from your resume that you are very
goal-oriented.
W: Thank you. I believe I’ve acquired many good qualities from my parents. They’re my
role models. However, I know I still have a lot to learn.
The woman went from Guilin City to the east coast city of Qingdao to attend college.
She was impressed by the latter’s dynamic economy. Now shi is being interviewed for
a job. She says she once worked as an intern for a small shipping company to maintain
the company’s ties with the existing customers and try to find new cargo sources. There
she learned the importance of communication skills. She has realized that book
knowledge is indeed necessary, but it is equally essential to persuade potential clients
to trust her. Her former employer said her ability to find customers was an asset to the
company. He appreciated the loyalty and team spirit. The interviewer finds her mature
for her age and very goal-oriented. And she believes that she has acquired many good
* *
qualities form her parents, but still has a lot to learn.
Task 2: A Work Qualification Test
Script
Murphy applies for an engineering position at an Irish firm based in Dublin. An
American applied for the same job. Quite by coincidence, the two amplifications, and
were asked to take the same test by the manager of the Human Resource Department.
Upon completion of the test, both men missed only one of the questions. The manager
went to Murphy and said, “Thank you for your interest, but we’ve decided to give the
American the job.”
Bewildered by the manager’s decision, Murphy asked, “Why would you be doing that?
We both got nine questions correct. This being Ireland and me being Irish, I should get
the job!”
The manger answered calmly, “We have made our decisions based on the correct
answers, but on the question you missed.”
Unconvinced and somewhat indignant, Murphy question, “And just how would one
incorrect answer be better than the other?”
The manager’s maser took him by surprise, “Simple, on QuestionNo.5, the American
put down ‘I don’t’ know’, and you put down ‘Neither do I’.”
Key: 1. F 2. T 3. T 4. F 5. T
Task3:
A guide to a successful job interview
There are times that you will be asked a hard question during a job interview. Don’t panic, they just want to see how you handle a difficult situation. Being prepared is
always the best policy. Here are some samples of questions and some advice on how to
* *
handle them properly.
Why should we choose you? To this question, you can ask yourself why you applied,
what makes you suitable for this question, what the company can gain from hiring you,
what you have to offer, how you would handle this jib, etc.
Often they ask you to tell them about yourself. You can split your answer into two,
the professional and the personal level. Both are important, and how you move from
one to the other depends on what you have to say. You can give a brief summary of
your life, professional and personal, with less emphasis on the early past, and more
emphasis on the present and the future.
When asked “What are your weakness?”, don’t say, “I don’t have any.” Everyone
has weakness, and it takes something positive like, “I haven’t had a lot of exposure on
the on-site work, but I’m looking forward to being more involved in dealing with
customers directly and learning their needs.”
Another common question is: “What are your strengths?” You should customize
your answer to meet the position requirement. Keep in mind the things they asked for
in the advertisement. Tell them your strengths, but also show them how they how they
would apply to this job. To show how your strengths were valuable, use the “Why,
where, when, how” to demonstrate and prove your strengths.
1. What is the passage mainly concerned with?
2. What does the speaker NOT mention as an answer to the question, “Why should we
choose you?”?
3. What does the speaker say you should stress when introducing yourself?
4. What does the speaker advice you NOT to say when asked, “What are your
* *
weaknesses?”
5. What should you say when asked about your strong points?
Key: 1C 2.C3. B 4.A 5.D
Viewing and Speaking
Key:
1) selection 2) pressure 3) marketing
business
6) nervous 7) laugh 8) redundant
sacking
4) interview
9) difficult
5)
10)