Dos and Don’ts for Job Seekers
• DO learn ahead of time about the company and its product. Do your homework.
• DO applyfor a job in person.
• DO let as many people as possible know you are “job hunting.”
• DO stress yourqualification for the job opening.
• DO recount experience you have had which would fit you for the job.
• DO talk and think as far as possible about the future rather than the past.
• DO indicate, where possible,your stability, attendance record and goodsafety experience.
• DO assume an air of confidence
• DO approachthe employer withrespectful dignity.
• DO try to be optimistic in your attitude.
• DO maintain your poise and self-control.
• DO try to overcome nervousness and shortness of breath.
• DO hold yourself erect.
• DO answer questions honestly and with straightforwardness.
• DO have a good resume.
• DO know the importance of getting along with people.
• DO recognize your limitations.
• DO make plenty of applications.
• DO indicate your flexibility and readiness to learn.
• DO be well-groomed and appropriately dressed.
• DON’T keep stressing your need for a job.
• DON’T discuss past experience which has no application to the job situation.
• DON’T apologize for your age.
• DON’T be untidy in appearance.
• DON’T display “cocksureness”.
• DON’T cringe or beg for consideration.
• DON’T speak with muffled voice or indistinctly.
• DON’T be one of those who candoanything.
• DON’T hedge in answering questions.
• DON’T express your ideas on compensation, hours, etc. early in the interview.
• DON’T hesitate to fill out applications, give references, and take physical examination or tests on request.
• DON’T hang around, prolonging the interview, when it should be over.
• DON’T go to an interview without a record of your former work connection.
• DON’T arrivelate and breathless for an interview.
• DON’T be a “know it all” or a person who can't take instructions.
• DON’T isolate yourself from contacts that might help you find a job.
• DON’T feel that theworld owesyou for a living.
• DON’T make claims if you cannot “deliver” on the job.
• DON’T display a feeling of inferiority.
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Everybody knows that the point of an interview is to give the prospective employer a chance to evaluate me prospective employee. But you should do more in an interview than just meekly answer questions. For one thing, employers usually don’t want to hire people who seem to think too little of themselves. For another, the point of an interview is also to give you a chance to evaluate the company.
Begin by going into the interview with the right attitude. If you go in thinking that you won’t get the job, you probably won’t. Negative assumptions can undermine and defeat you. So develop a positive outlook instead: Believe that you
will succeed.
You can boost your confidence by preparing as thoroughly as you can for the interview: putting resume, supporting materials, and your appearance all in order and practicing your interviewing technique over and over. With those basics under control, you can be confident of handling almost anything that arises. After all, an interview is a fairly standard event. If something does come up that you are not prepared for, just do your best — and be yourself. You don’t know what specific qualities the interviewer is looking for, and so it makes no sense to try remolding your personality to fit the interviewer’s ideal. Instead of worrying about the competition for a job, look on the interview as a chance to make your own unique qualities known.
In your job search, you will eventually have an interview that seems to be bearing fruit; the interviewer will start talking as if you will definitely be joining the company. Many people get so excited by the prospect of a serious job offer that they lose all rationality at this point and leave the interview in a haze of goodwill and eager anticipation. Instead, they should start asking questions that will help them evaluate the job objectively. Here are some things that you can reasonably ask the interviewer when the job appears to be within your reach:
• What happened to the last person who had this job?
• May I talk to someone who is doing what I will be doing?
• What is this company like as a place to work?
• Is the company growing, and where is the growth coming from?
• How and by whom will my performance be measured?
• How will the company help me meet the goals we agree on?
• What is the salary range for similar jobs in this organization?
• What other compensation is the company willing to offer?
• If relocation is involved, how much will the company help?
Don’t fear being direct when an interview seems to be going well; most employers will appreciate your hard-headed approach. Those that don’t may have personality or organizational problems that will make the job difficult for you. And you are better off asking questions before you take the job. The alternative may be looking for a new one a few months down the road.
Questions:
1. Can you think of any specific ‘symptoms’ that might indicate a company is not for you? What are they?
2. Asserting yourself when the interview is going well is one thing. Taking control when things are going badly is another. What can you do if you and the interviewer seem to be on different wavelengths?
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You are the personnel manager of a company which was created only 5 years ago and is rapidly expanding. At the moment your company needs a production manager. Conduct an interview with some applicants for this post. Explain the nature of the job. Describe the organization structure of your company; ask questions about the applicants’ personal backgrounds, their personal traits, find out why the applicants apply for the job, what they know about the company and what salary they expect.
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TST Systems was looking for candidates for an opening position of a Commercial Director. Three applicants came for an interview after they had submitted their Cover Letters and Resumes. The third and the most successful was Mr Petrenko.
A: Good morning, sir.
B: Good morning. Come in, come right in. Mr Petrenko, isn’t it? Please take a seat. You will have to excuse me a moment while I finish signing these letters. Meanwhile please fill in the application form ... There, that’ll do. Now I can concentrate on you, Mr Petrenko. Tell me, how long were you in your last job with Alpha?
A: Five years. I am only leaving because the firm is moving to Sevastopol, but I think a change will do me good.
B: What do you know about our company? Have you got any questions to me?
A: I know that this is a very promising company, so I’d like you to inform me what
will be the major focus of efforts in the next few years?
B: We plan to expand our activity into English-speaking countries, mainly to England, to buy equipment and technologies from them and run training programs here. We need a team of creative people to make our company competitive in the world market.
A: What responsibilities and obligations do you suggest I have during the first year?
B: Well, first of all to be responsible for our contacts with English partners, to buy good equipment and generally to be skillful in negotiations. You will have to travel very much. Besides, we are expecting a new fair in London soon, and maybe you will have a chance to go there.
A: Yes, I see.
B: So tell me what are your three main strengths?
A: I think they are: reliability, loyalty, and energy.
B: OK. How do you relieve everyday tensions?
A: I am accustomed to work under pressure. Besides, when I am extremely stressed out, I like to go to the gym.
B: Are you a leader,an entrepreneur by nature?
A: Yes, I think so, because I make contacts with people very easily.
B: Right. Now, Mr Petrenko, I am quite prepared to offer you a job with us. You have excellent references from your previous job. What do you find a fair salary?
A: Equivalent of $500.
B: I think we’ll begin with $450 for the probation period and if you do well we'll review it by the end of three months. Hours are from nine to five thirty, with an hour for lunch and a fortnight’s holiday. Does that suit you? Have you got any questions?
A: What about travel: length, where?
B: Mostly to England for not longer than a month.
A: All right. I suppose there is a quite supportive environment here. When do you want me to start, sir?
B: In a week, if possible.
A: I am afraid I can begin working only after October 10.
B: No problem. We’ll be seeing you on the 10th of October then?
A: Yes, certainly. Thank you very much. Goodbye.
B: Goodbye.
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Workaholism
A lot of employees spend eight or nine hours on the job. They work because it’s unavoidable. They need to make enough money for necessities: housing, food, rest, clothing, transportation, etc. They spend about one third of their lives at work, but they hate it. They complain and count the minutes until quitting time each day – or the day until the next vacation.
By contrast there are some people who actually enjoy work – in fact, they love to work. They spend many extra hours on the job each week and often take work home with them. These workaholics are as addicted to their jobs as other people are to drugs or alcohol.
In some urban centers, workaholism is so common that people do not consider it unusual: they accept this lifestyle as normal. Government workers in Washington, D.C., for example frequently work sixty to seventy hours a week.
Workaholism can be a serious problem. Because true workaholics would rather work than do anything else, they probably don’t know how to relax; that is they might not enjoy movies, sports, or other types of entertainment. Most of all, they hate to sit and do nothing. This inability to rest may cause health problems, such as heart attacks. In addition, typical workaholics don’t pay much attention to their families. They spend little time with their children and their marriages end in divorce.
Is workaholism always dangerous? Perhaps not. Some studies show that many workaholics have great energy and interest in life. Their work is so pleasurable that they are actually very happy. For most workaholics work and entertainment are the same thing. Their job provides them with challenge; this keeps them busy and creative. Other people retire from work at the age of sixty-five, but workaholics usually prefer not to quit. They are still enthusiastic about work – and life – in their eighties and nineties.
Why do workaholics enjoy their jobs so much? There are several advantages to work. Of course, it provides people with paychecks and this is important. But it offers more than financial security. It provides people with self-confidence; they have a feeling of satisfaction. Psychologists claim that work gives people identity. In addition, most jobs provide a way to meet other people.
Questions:
1. How many hours do workers spend on their jobs? Do you think it’s too many? How many hours would you like to work a week? What would you prefer - to work extra hours to make extra money or to spend the evening with your friend? Why?
2. Do you know any workaholics? Why do you think those people are workaholics?
3. Why is workaholism usual nowadays? Do you consider it normal?
4. Why can workaholism be a problem? Do you consider workaholism a social disease or a personal problem?
5. Are there any advantages in workaholism?
6. Are you a workaholic? Test yourself. Here is a list of ten characteristics of workaholics. Which ones apply to you? Check the box. If you answered “yes” to eight or more questions, you might be a workaholic.
| 1. Do you get up early even if you go to bed late? | |
| 2. Do you read or work while you eat? | |
| 3. Do you make lists of things to do? | |
| 4. Do you find it unpleasant to do nothing? | |
| 5. Can you work anytime and anywhere? | |
| 6. Do you prefer not to take vacations? | |
| 7. Do you usually have a lot of energy? | |
| 8. Do you work at weekends and on holidays? | |
| 9. Do you think you probably won’t want to retire? | |
| 10. Do you really enjoy your work? | |
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