Now study the following letter of application and analyse its structure.

Dear Mr. Brown,

Your advertisement for an experienced materials supervisor in this week’s edition of International Drilling describes a position that I believe is well suited for my background, experience, and qualifications.

At present I am employed as materials supervisor for the Johanson’s Drilling and Development Company in Houston, Texas. Johanson is an independent and production company. As a key member of the company’s production team, I am involved in all aspects of inventory control and procurement of goods and services relating to frilling and development operations in Texas and Louisiana. Sourcing suppliers and ensuring delivery of highest quality and reliability within rigidly applied cost parameters and timescales is a very important part of my job. This also applies to the ability to plan and schedule long-term procurement requirements. My position requires relevant experience in the oil industry and an extensive knowledge of domestic and international procurement, safety compliances, and computerized purchasing and materials management systems.

I would appreciate the opportunity of meeting with you personally to discuss my background and professional qualifications, as outlined in the attached resume, in more detail.

Sincerely,

Walter C.

How to shine at a job interview.

A. Read and analyze the text below.

The smart job-seeker needs to rid himself / herself of several standard myths about in­terviewing before he starts pounding the pavement looking for a job. What follows is a list of some of these untruths and some tips to help you do your best at your next interview.

Myth 1: The aim of interviewing is to obtain a job offer.

Only half true. The real aim of an interview is to obtain the job you want. So, before you do back-flips for an employer, be sure you want the job.

Myth 2: Always please the Interviewer.

Not true. Try to please yourself. Giving answers that you think will suit a potential em­ployer, losing touch with your own feelings are certain to get you nowhere. Of course, don't be hostile - nobody wants to hire someone disagreeable. But there is plainly a middle ground between being too ingratiating and being hostile.

Myth 3: Try to control the interview

Nobody 'controls' an interview - neither you nor the interviewer - although one or both par­ties often try. When somebody tries to control us, we resent it. Remember, you can't con­trol what an employer thinks of you, just as he / she can't control what you think of him / her. Never dominate the interview. Compulsive behaviour turns off your authenticity.

Myth 4: Never interrupt the interviewer

Good advice.

Study the style of an effective conversationalist: He interrupts and is interrupted! An excit­ing conversation always makes us feel free - free to interrupt, to disagree, to agree enthu­siastically. We feel comfortable with people who allow us to be natural. So, when interview­ing, half the responsibility lies with you. Do you seem uptight? Try being yourself for a change. Leaving an employer indifferent is the worst impression you can make.

Myth 5: Don't disagree with the interviewer

Another silly myth. If you don't disagree at times, you become, in effect, a ,'yes' person Don't be afraid to disagree with your interviewer - in an agreeable way. And don't hesitate to change your mind. The conventional wisdom says 'be yourself, true enough.

(From an article by Dick Irish in Glamour.]

Notes:

myth: something false, that most people believe is true.

out of touch: out of contact

ingratiate: to try hard to get someone's approval

B. Guess unknown words.

Match each italicised word in column A with its probable meaning in column B. Some times you can guess the meaning from the sentence where you find the word; be careful: there are some extra meanings in column B.

A

1. What follows is a list of some of these untruths and some tips to help you do your best...

2. Giving answers that you think will suit a potential employer...

3. But there is plainly a middle ground be­tween being too ingratiating and being hostile.

4. When somebody tries to control us, we resent it.

5. Study the style of an effective conversationalist ...

6. Do you seem uptight?

B

a. appreciate

b. nervous

c. possible (in the future)

d. model answers

e. successful

f. doing anything to avoid disagreement

g. suggestions

h. a moderate position

i. dislike, feel as unfair

j. the time between two jobs