Task 4. In your opinion, which three qualities below are the most important for a successful career in business?

being on time	being adaptable (open to new ideas)
having ambition	knowing about computers
working hard	having a sense of humor
getting on with people (being friendly)	looking smart

 

Task 5. Collette Hill runs a public relation company that advises clients on human resources and recruitment. Read about her opinion of best qualities. Compare her opinion and your answers.

- I would offer three particular qualities I think. First you need to be able to get on with people. Whatever job you are going to have colleagues and customers. You need to be able to get on with people at all levels. Second, you need to be adaptable. Businesses go through constant change. Your role will change, as will the people you work with, even the place where you work sometimes. And finally, of course, you need a sense of humor to keep it all in proportion.

Task 6. Read about Collette’s opinion of how to prepare for a job interview. Retell this text starting your sentences with ‘you should’, ‘you can’, ‘you’d better’, ‘you may’.

- It really helps if you look at it from the point of view of the interviewer. Find out all you can about the company to show you’re really interested in the opportunity. You can look up how old it is, what it does, how many people it employs, how fast it is growing. Then at the interview, help the interviewer by answering their questions fully, but sticking to the point; don’t talk too long. It’s important to ask the interviewer questions, for example, ‘What is your medium-term plan for the company?’ or ‘What is your policy on training and development?’ These sorts of questions show you’re potentially interested in staying, not just looking for a short-term contract.

 

Task 7. Match the possible questions of a job interviewer with the possible answers.

▪ Can I get you anything?	1. It’s 43 thousand.
▪ Could I confirm your contact details?	2. Yes, I use it a lot in my current job.
▪ Can you use this software package?	3. I can let you know next week.
▪ Can you speak any other languages?	4. Thank you. A coffee, please.
▪ Could you tell us more about your present job?	5. Yes, the address is the same, but my email has changed.
▪ Could you tell me your current salary?	6. I’d love some. Thank you.
▪ Would you let us know your decision as soon as possible?	7. Well, I’m currently responsible for European sales.
▪ When can you start?	8. Yes, I can speak French and Spanish.
▪ Would you like some more coffee?	9. My notice period is two months.

 

Task 8. Work in pairs. Make up your own dialogs using the phrases from the previous task.

Task 9. Read the 1^st telephone conversation. Underline useful expressions and use them in your own dialogs.

Dialog 1.

A: Good morning. VTS. Which department, please?

B: I’d like to speak to Carmen Brown in human resources, please.

A: Thank you. Hold on, I’ll put you through.

C: Hello. Human resources.

A: Hello. Is that Carmen Brown?

C: Speaking.

A: Yes, I’m phoning about your advert in Careers Now. Could you send me an application form, please?

C: Certainly. Can I take some details? Could you give me your name and address, please?

A: Sure, it’s …. And my address is …..

Task 10. Read the second and the third telephone conversations. What is the difference between them? Make up similar dialogs.

Dialog 2.

A:Hello, Could I speak to Andrea, please?

B: I’m afraid, she’s not here at the moment. Can I take a message?

A: Yes, please. This is John from Intec. Could you tell her I won’t be able to make the training course on Saturday? She can call me back if there’s a problem.

B: OK. Thank you. Good bye.

Dialog 3.

A:Hi, John. Dave here.

B: Oh, hello, Dave. How are you?

A: Fine, thanks. Listen, just a quick word.

B: Year, go ahead.

A: Do you think you could let me have the fax number for Intercom Company? I can’t get through to them. Their telephone number is always engaged.

B: I’ve got it here. It’s 020 4578 2389.

A: Sorry, I didn’t catch the last part.

B: It’s 2389.

A: OK. Thanks. Bye.

B: No problem. Bye.

Task 11. Match the phrases which are close in the meaning.

Can I talk to …	I’m phoning about …..
Just a moment.	Could you give me your name and address?
I’ll connect you.	How are you?
Am I speaking to ….?	The phone is always engaged.
Yes, it’s me.	Don’t mention it. It’s OK.
The reason I’m calling is ….	Sorry, I didn’t catch it.
Can I have your name and address?	Speaking.
How are things?	Let me have …..
Could you give me…?	I’ll put you through.
The phone is always busy.	Hold on.
Sorry, I didn’t hear it.	I’d like to speak to…
No problem.	Is that ……?