Unit 3 Job interview

Text B

Writing skills

Listening practice

A mortal Flower

尘世的花

Go through the text quickly and decide whether the follow expressions are True or False

1. Those days, one should have firm family background to get a job in a better company.

2. The author have to go to the university so as to get a good job.

3. The author has no good looking, thus her family can’t count on her marriage.

4. For the first interview, she wore the best of her dress and made up herself with face powder so as to be more pretty.

5. The author didn’t do a good job in speed test because of her poor shorthand skill.

6. The author finally find a job because of her good writing and speedy typing.

T

F

T

F

F

T

Discuss

What are those important aspects an applicant should present to the reader (the employer usually) ?

Writing Skills Letters of Application

The purpose : --to respond to job advertisements and vacancy announcements. --to get the employer to read your résumé and invite you for an interview.

Approach : show that your qualifications fit the employer's requirements for the position--Analyze the position description carefully and pick out key phrases. --Try to match your letter point by point to the requirements by emphasizing key parts of your résumé.

The principal parts: the heading, date line, inside address, salutation, body, complimentary closing, and signature line. several other elements (depending upon its content): --A subject line, announcing the purpose of the letter, precedes the salutation. --Any material enclosed with the letter is indicated by typing "Enclosure(s)," --Special notation such as "CONFIDENTIAL" (always capitalized) on the envelope.

An Example

Dear Sir， In reply to your advertisement in today's newspaper regarding a vacancy in your office, I wish to apply for the position of senior clerk, which you have specified.

I feel confident that I can meet your special requirements indicating that the candidate must have a high command of English, for I graduated from the English Language Department of _____ University three years ago.

In addition to my study of English while in the University, I have worked for three years as a secretary in the firm of ABC Trading Co. Ltd.

(continue)

The main reason for changing my employment is to gain more experience with a superior trading company like yours. I believe that my education and experience will prove useful for work in your office.

I am enclosing my personal history, certificate of graduation and letter of recommendation from the president of the University. I shall be obliged if you will give me a personal interview at your convenience.

Very truly yours,

Teresa

Some Useful Expressions

Beginnings1) In reply to your advertisement in today’s (newspaper), I respectfully offer my services for the situation.2) With reference to your advertisement in (newspaper) of May 2 for

a clerk, I offer myself for the post.3) Learning from Mr. S.P. Chen that you are looking for a sales

manager, I should like to apply for the position.

Introducing oneself1) For the past three years, I have been in the office of the Brothers

Trading Co., where I have been and still am an accountant.2) I have been in the business for the last ten years, and worked as

the superintendent in the personnel department.3) I am 25 years of age, and have had two years’ experience in my

present post, which I am leaving to better myself.

Some Useful Expressions

About personal ability1) Being well acquainted with office works, I could make myself

generally useful, should there be any opportunity of your requiring my services.

2) I have been at the City Commercial College, where I have acquired knowledge of English, mathematics and elementary business practice.

Reasons for leaving1) My reason for leaving my present employment is that I am desirous

of getting broader experience in trading.2) I am desirous of leaving the employment in order to improve my

position and have more responsibility.3) Unfortunately I have had to leave my position, as my employers

have been forced to liquidate their business due to the worldwide economic adversity.

Some Useful Expressions

About salary1) I should require a commencing salary of 9,600 dollars a month,

plus 1% commission on all sales.2) As regards salary, I leave it to you to decide after experience of

my capacity.

About enclosure 1) You will find enclosed an outline of my education and business

training and copies of two letters of recommendation.2) Enclosed please find a résumé and a photo.Ending1) I should be glad to have a personal interview and can furnish

references if desired.2) Should you think favorably of my application, please kindly

grant me an interview.

The titles of common positions

领班，组长

总经理

市场部主任

市场部经理

机械工程师

买手（商人）

Accountant

Administration Assistant

Administrator

Architect

Assistant Manager

Assistant Production Manager

会计员，会计师

行政助理

行政主管

建筑师

副经理

副厂长

Foreman

General Manager

Marketing

Executive

Marketing Manager

Mechanical Engineer

Merchandiser

(continue)

Office Assistant

Plant Manager

Practice Nurse

Production Manager

Quality Controller

Electrical Engineer

Executive Director

Business Manager

Cashier

Chief Accountant

Chief Engineer

Civil Engineer

Clerk

Director

业务经理

出纳员

总会计主任

总工程师

土木工程师

文员（文书）

董事

写字楼助理（办事员）

厂长

见习护士

厂长

品质控制员（质量检查员）电气工程师

行政董事

Homework

Write a letter applying for a job that someone has told

you about ( You may choose the position from what

you’ve just reviewed) with the following format.

Format

(Your address)

(Date)

The addressee

(His or her address)

Homework

Dear Sir,Re: APPLICATION FOR (THE POST)

....................................................................................................

.............................................................( Beginning of the letter).....................................................................................................................................................................(Introducing yourself)..........................................................................................................................................................(About your personal ability).........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................(About the enclosure and other).........................................................................................................................................................(Ending)

Yours faithfully,_______________(Signature)

Listening practice

1. A. He was once unemployed for three months.B. He doesn’t like his colleagues.C. He was a journalist in Evening News.D. He is a clock-watcher.

2. A. For a change.B. To earn more money.C. To get a promotion.D. To have new challenge.

3. A. A man who can make decisions.B. A man who can cooperate with others well.C. A man who doesn’t mind working overtime.D. A man who cares little about money.

4. A. He did his postgraduate diploma in Design.B. He did his postgraduate diploma in Social and Public Policy.C. He finished a diploma course in Dancing.D. he left university after studying for two months there.

1. A. He was once unemployed for three months.B. He doesn’t like his colleagues.C. He was a journalist in Evening News.D. He is a clock-watcher.

2. A. For a change.B. To earn more money.C. To get a promotion.D. To have new challenge.

3. A. A man who can make decisions.B. A man who can cooperate with others well.C. A man who doesn’t mind working overtime.D. A man who cares little about money.

4. A. He did his postgraduate diploma in Design.B. He did his postgraduate diploma in Social and Public Policy.C. He finished a diploma course in Dancing.D. he left university after studying for two months there.

Quiz--Compound dictation

Minimum wage is the lowest hourly pay rate _______ by law. In the United States, the federal minimum wage is five dollars and fifteen cents an hour. It has not changed since 1997. And it does not include all jobs. For example, workers who receive ______ money in the form of ______ can be paid two dollars and thirteen cents an hour. Also, the federal rate may not ______ some workers for small companies. State laws often set minimum pay in these cases. The Department of Labor says about two million workers earn the minimum wage or less. That is about 3% of all workers paid by the hour. Ohio and Kansas have lower minimum wages for some workers than under federal law. But sixteen of the fifty states and the ________ of Columbia have minimum wages higher than the federal one. In California, Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has just ________ what he says is a much-needed raise. California's minimum wage would rise one dollar, to seven dollars and seventy-five cents an hour, over the next year and a half. State________ passed a bill last year to add a dollar to the minimum wage. But Mister Schwarzenegger vetoed it because it would have also required yearly increases for inflation.

State governments led the way in the history of the minimum wage in America. Massachusetts passed a law for women and children in nineteen twelve. But in nineteen twenty-three, the Supreme Court found wage requirements for private employers unconstitutional.________________________________________________________ In nineteen thirty-eight, however, the Fair Labor Standards Act established a federal minimum wage. At that time, it was twenty-five cents. _______________________________ _____________________________________ They say minimum wage laws reduce the number of jobs for unskilled workers and young people. Employers might not be happy with higher labor costs. _______________________________________________ __________________ They say a minimum wage must be a "living wage." That is, it must be enough for workers and their families to live on.

Reading in depth

Directions: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage.

about, applicant, consideration, developing, deadline, difference, endeavor, employer, experience, extremely, neighborhood, promote, prospective, seeking, standpoint As the saying goes, well begun is half done. It is _________ important for a job ________to do his homework while ________ employment. From my ________, whether or not one has well prepared clearly makes a ________in his chance of success. I have a friend who is earning somewhere in the _________of 100 thousand dollars a year in a large computer software company. He told me that from his own _______, the decision makers who interview _________employees like people who are well prepared. Those who make no _________to learn as much about his future ________ as possible don’t have much of chance of success.

Translation:

1.The president said that the company would continue to _ ___________ (起主导作用 ) in China’s automobile industry.

2. They ____________ (被剥夺了 ) a normal childhood by the war.

3. ___________________ (从这个角度看 ), the situation doesn’t seem so disappointing.

4. If this kind of foreign medicine __________ (没有效果 /不起作用 ), the old woman will pass away.

5. Some senior professors have asked to retire so as to ________________ (为…腾出位子 /空间 ) the younger and more promising teachers.

Compound dictation

Minimum wage is the lowest hourly pay rate permitted by law. In the United States, the federal minimum wage is five dollars and fifteen cents an hour. It has not changed since nineteen ninety-seven. And it does not include all jobs. For example, workers who receive extra money in the form of tips can be paid two dollars and thirteen cents an hour. Also, the federal rate may not cover some workers for small companies. State laws often set minimum pay in these cases. The Department of Labor says about two million workers earn the minimum wage or less. That is about three percent of all workers paid by the hour. Ohio and Kansas have lower minimum wages for some workers than under federal law. But sixteen of the fifty states and the District of Columbia have minimum wages higher than the federal one. In California, Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has just proposed what he says is a much-needed raise. California's minimum wage would rise one dollar, to seven dollars and seventy-five cents an hour, over the next year and a half. State lawmakers passed a bill last year to add a dollar to the minimum wage. But Mister Schwarzenegger vetoed it because it would have also required yearly increases for inflation.

State governments led the way in the history of the minimum wage in America. Massachusetts passed a law for women and children in nineteen twelve. But in nineteen twenty-three, the Supreme Court found wage requirements for private employers unconstitutional. It ruled that states could not interfere with pay agreements.In nineteen thirty-eight, however, the Fair Labor Standards Act established a federal minimum wage. At that time, it was twenty-five cents. Some economists and lawmakers argue that markets, and not the government, should set prices for labor. They say minimum wage laws reduce the number of jobs for unskilled workers and young people. Employers might not be happy with higher labor costs. But labor activists warn that inflation has reduced the buying power of today's minimum wage. They say a minimum wage must be a "living wage." That is, it must be enough for workers and their families to live on.