Practical English, Book II

Practical English, Book II Unit 3 Part B The Interview

Unit 3: Part B • Text B • Practice

Unit 3: Text B • Text-related Information • Warm-up Activity • Phrases in the Text • Text Learning

Text Learning • Outline of the Text • Language Points • Summary of the Text

Text-related Information • Occasions on which you can be expected to take an interview • Factors worthy of interviewers’ consideration • Other important things during an interview

Text-related Information — Applying for a job, — Enrolling in some activities, and… — …

Text-related Information • personal qualifications • abilities • the training record

Text-related Information — your appearance — your personalities — your behaviour — your manners

Outline of the Text • Introduction (Para. 1) • Preparations before the interview (Paras. 2-4) • Behaviour during the interview (Paras. 5-8)

Outline of the Text A. Introduction ( Para. 1 ): • To a supposed occasion on which you have to go to the office for an interview

Outline of the Text B. Preparations Before the Interview (Paras. 2-4): • Information about your personal qualifications • Knowledge concerning the employer • Promptness and attractive appearance

Outline of the Text C. Behaviour During the Interview (Paras. 5-8): • Showing courtesy in your appearance and manner • Answering questions simply, directly and honestly • Looking straight at your interviewer and calling him or her “Sir” or “Madam” • Getting ready with any queries about the company you have applied for • Leaving in good manners

Warming-up Activity • Why do you apply for this job? • If you had your choice of a job and company, what would you most like to do and where? • Would you be willing to work overtime?

Warming-up Activity — Oh, I just need a job. (less positive; lack of interest) Or — I’ve wanted to have a job in your company ever since I started school. That was my reason for taking a number of our training courses. I believe I’ll like this type of job, too. (more positive; longing for the job)

Warming-up Activity — Mr. Smith, the job I want is the one for which I am now applying. The company? Of course, yours. well, I know that you do a very big international business, so I thought it would be a good place for me to prove myself and to be promoted to a greater responsibility.

Warming-up Activity — Yes, of course. There is no problem. (affirmative) — Yes. But I’m afraid it would depend to some extent on the exact overtime and overpay you’ve offered. (affirmative, but conditional) — No, I’m afraid not because… (negative)

TextLearning The Interview 1Let us suppose that your letter of application for a job has been received by your prospective employer and you have been asked to go to the office for an interview. How do you prepare yourself and behave during this interview? The following advice should help you get through this most important first step towards getting a job.

TextLearning 2 First of all, do everything you can to prepare for the interview as soon as you know it is arranged. Make a list ofall the points you want to ask about if you have the chance. Equip yourself with all your certificates and other relevant documents, a list of all the examinations you have passed, denoting subjects and credits, all the schools you have attended, sports you have played and any positions of responsibility held at school. If you have had a job before, then you should list details of his as well and your reasons for leaving. You may already have supplied these details but you should have a copy with you in case you are asked for it. It shows efficiency on your part.

TextLearning 3 Secondly, find out all you can about your prospective employer. What exactly the firm does, where it is and how long it has been in existence. At the same time check the times of buses and ferries so that you are sure to arrive on time. In fact, if you can, be a little early. No one wants to employ a member of staff who is always late.

TextLearning 4 Thirdly, make a little extra effort with your appearance. Is your hair tidy? Your shirt freshly pressed? Your dress clean? Shoes polished? So, your preparations complete, you have arrived at the office on time and are waiting to be called for the interview. If you are feeling a little nervous, take a few deep breaths and let them out slowly. Read through your curriculum vitae again so that it is fresh in your mind.

TextLearning 5 When the interviewer or a secretary invites you in, try to show courtesy in your appearance and manner. Stand until you are invited to sit and then sit straight in the chair, do not lounge. Relax and smile.

TextLearning 6 The interviewer will begin by asking you questions about yourself, your curriculum vitae and even perhaps what you hope the future holds. Answer the questions simply, directly and honestly. Do not show impatience if you feel the interviewer is repeating things or asking questions that have no relevance to the matter in hand. He or she probably just wants to know if you have opinions of your own, and whether you can speak sensibly and coherently.

TextLearning Look straight at the interviewer when you answer questions and if asked about your family or school speak with loyalty and affection. Call the interviewer “Sir” or “Madam” or use a name if you have been asked to do so. Keep your certificates and other documents until they are asked for. If you failed an exam or had a job before do not be afraid to talk about it. If you are asked what salary you expect, state the figure mentioned in the advertisement you replied to.

TextLearning 7 If you sense that the interview is coming to an end, be ready with your queries. The interviewer may ask you if you have any questions but if you are not asked, wait for a suitable moment. You have as much right to be concerned about your future work as the interviewer has about your ability to do the job. Do not lay undue emphasis on questions about holidays, days off, lunch breaks, sports facilities, etc. Ask first of all about promotion prospects, other examinations you can take to get ahead and so on. 8 When the interview is at an end, stand up, wish the interviewer “Good morning” or “Good afternoon”, and walk out.

suppose:imagine; consider as true If you suppose that something is true, you think that it is likely to be true. Based on this sense, it is often used to introduce imaginary condition or situation and can be used in the pattern: Suppose / Let us suppose that…

suppose:imagine; consider as true LOOK and TRANSLATE Suppose / Let us suppose (that) you were given a chance to study in America, would you accept it? 假设，给您去美国学习的机会，您会接受吗?

suppose:imagine; consider as true THINK and TRANSLATE Suppose it rains, what shall we do? 要是下雨我们怎么办？

suppose:imagine; consider as true THINK and TRANSLATE Let us suppose that you are now a teacher. 比如说，你现在就是一位老师。

make a list of:to put…on a list LOOK and TRANSLATE Please make a list of those who are coming to the dinner party tonight. 请列一个今晚来参加晚宴的人员名单。

make a list of:to put…on a list THINK and TRANSLATE I made a list of things to buy at the store. 我把要买的东西列了一个单子。

… all the points you want to ask about — the preposition at the end of a clause • e.g. • Sadly, I’ve lost the pen I very much like to write with. • He got a piece of board to sleep on. • He got a chair to sit in. • He’s given me a shelf to put these books on.

equip v.to provide with what is necessary Usage:equip…with • e.g. • Theyequippedthemselves witha pair of sharp axes and set out for the forest. • The newly established factory is equippedwith the modern machines imported from Japan. • Equip yourself with all your certificates and other relevant documents.

in case: if it happens that…; less LOOK and TRANSLATE 汤姆带上了溜冰鞋，以便在找到适当的地点时可以溜一阵子。 Tom took his skates in case they found a place to skate. Keep the window close in case it rains. 把窗户关上，以防下雨。

in case: if it happens that…; less THINK and TRANSLATE Let me know in case you’re not coming. 如果你不来，请告诉我。

in case: if it happens that…; less THINK and TRANSLATE I stayed home in case you called. 我特意留在家里，免得你打电话来找不到人。

on sb’s part / on the part of sb: of, by, or done by someone FOR EXAMPLE • The other team blamed their defeat on unfairness on the part of the referee. 对方队员把其失败归咎于裁判判罚不公。

on sb’s part / on the part of sb: of, by, or done by someone THINK and TRANSLATE It was an error on my part. 那是我犯的错误。

on sb’s part / on the part of sb: of, by, or done by someone THINK and TRANSLATE When Miss Brown said I was a good student, that was pure kindness on her part. 布朗小姐说我是个好学生，那完全是她在客气。

what-nominal clauses where-nominal clauses how long-nominal clauses when-nominal clauses why-nominal clauses who-nominal clauses where / how… etc-nominal clauses Semantic Category Grammatical Form a certain thing or things a certain place or places a certain period of time a certain point of time a certain reason or cause a certain person or persons

Your shirt freshly pressed?… Elliptical sentences based on Is your shirt freshly pressed?

your preparations complete — verb clause expressing a logical relationship without any form of a verb • e.g. • Your preparations complete? • Dozens of people were stranded, many of them children. • Too nervous to reply, he stared at the floor. • With the tree now tall, we get more shade. • When ripe, these apples will be delicious.

what you hope the future holds Paraphrase How do you like the future to be?

in hand:1. ready to be used or done 2. being dealt with 3. under control • Translate • Have you got some money in hand? • Don’t worry — all the arrangements are in hand. • Give them a call to let them know we have the matter in hand. • We should finish the work we have in hand before we begin something new. Key 我们应该先把手上的活儿干完再干别的给他们打个电话，说我们已在处理这事。别担心，所有这些安排已在处理之中。兜里有钱吗？

sense:v. to feel or understand, esp. through hearing, seeing, etc. THINK and TRANSLATE The horse sensed danger and stopped. 这匹马感到了危险，停了下来。

sense:v. to feel or understand, esp. through hearing, seeing, etc. THINK and TRANSLATE She sensed what her husband was thinking. 丈夫所想之事，她感觉到了。

be concernedabout: care about, worry about • e.g. • Have you ever been concerned about your own future? • Man needs to be concerned about the environmental problem.

be concerned about: care about, worry about • Translate • 我有点儿担心您的健康． • 她老是担心她的家人，从没有自己的生活． Key I’m a bit concerned about your health. She is always concerned about her family and never lives a life of her own.

lay / put … emphasis on: give special force or attention to something to show that is particularly important FOR EXAMPLE • Our English course lays great emphasis on conversational skills. 我们的英语课很注重交谈技能。

lay / put … emphasis on: give special force or attention to something to show that is particularly important FOR EXAMPLE • The government is to adopt a new economic policy which lays a greater emphasis on reducing inflation. 政府要采纳一项新的经济政策；该项政策强调减轻通货膨胀。

Summary of the text The most important first step in seeking a job is to get through the interview. The following tips may help you to shine at this vital moment. Get everything ready that is essential before the interview. First of all, equip yourself with certificates and other relevant documents and make a copy, if necessary, of all the items to show your efficiency. Secondly, find out something about the company as well as your prospective employer. Thirdly, make sure that your appearance is neat, that you are relaxed and that you make your CV fresh in your mind. Throughout the interview you should be friendly, courteous and relaxed. Always remember to answer your questions simply, directly and honestly, for you are supposed to be tested whether you have your own opinions and whether you can speak sensibly

Practical English, Book II