C. Group Discussion. Brainstorm Ideas.

● Why do we plunge into projecting about our future only during the holidays?

● The author states that “to catch the eye of the headhunter” is “much easier said than done”. Why is it difficult to become the hottest thing in town?

● Is headhunting wide-spread in Russia? Specialists of what professions are usually targeted by them?

● The author claims that “headhunting is an enviable profession”. Would you dream of joining the ranks of these recruitment officers?

● What kind of personality do you need to be to win a success as a headhunter? What qualities are absolutely essential for a prosperous headhunter? Name at least five of them in order of precedence. What traits of character are absolutely incompatible with this occupation? Think of five of them, making the list of priorities starting from the least desirable.

D. Watching and Listening

² Successful People and Companies[11]

Answer the following questions.

● How important are the following attributes in helping someone to be successful in their career?

	Very important	Important	Not important	Not relevant
A practical mind
Ability to express yourself
Ability to work fast
Being good at giving orders
Accepting responsibility
Being good with figures
Concentration
Experience
Good education
Physical and mental toughness
Good social background
Ability to delegate
Ability to write well
Being good at flattery
Ambition
Being good with people
Good connections
Popularity with colleagues
Patience
Ruthlessness
Willingness to take risks
Reasonability

● Which of these attributes do you have yourself?

Sally Muggeridge is Management Development Director at Pearson plc.

A. Listen to the first part of the interview and take notes about what makes a successful business person.

B. Listen to the second part of the interview and make notes about what makes a successful company.

Successful business people	Successful companies

Use your notes, and any other ideas of your own, to write a short article for a business magazine entitled either a) Successful business people or b) successful companies.

E. Vocabulary in Focus

Use the following idioms in the correct form in these situations.

Lift a finger, have your hands full, burn the candle at both ends, on my feet, at a loose end, twiddle my thumbs, up to my eyes, enough on my plate

1. You’re late. Did you miss the train? – Yes, I didn’t leave the office till six. I’m …………… in work at the moment.

2. How was your first day at work? – Really boring. I had nothing to do. I just sat at my desk …………….. .

3. Bill wants to know if you can spend some time training the new secretary. – I’m afraid I haven’t got a minute – I can’t. I’ve already got ……………… .

4. You look tired. Are you OK? – Yes, I just need to get to bed earlier. I’ve been ……………. recently – late nights and early starts.

5. Come in. Sit down, make yourself at home. – Thanks. I need a rest. I’ve been ……………… all day.

6. So, I’m going to spend the whole weekend painting the outside of the house. Do you want some help? My boyfriend‘s away so I’m …………….. this weekend.

7. Do you and Paul share the cooking and cleaning? – You must be joking. He never …………….. !

8. My sister’s three children are coming to stay with me this weekend. – You will ……………… . Rather you than me!

2. Connotation. Words do not only have meanings, they also have associations.[12] Can you match the colors with their connotations in English? Are they the same in Russian?