C. Have you got the main ideas?

Here are eight sentences. Only some of them express important ideas from the text. The other ideas are in the text, but they are not the author's main concerns. Choose the four main points. Then compare your answers with some, other students before discussing them with your teacher.

1. A good interview is like an exciting meeting during a journey.

2. Remember that you are trying to find a job that satisfies you.

3. Change your mind if you want to.

4. Be yourself.

5. Don't try to dominate the conversation with your interviewer.

6. Try to let the interviewer be herself / himself.

7. Don't be aggressive.

8. Don't be overly respectful of your interviewer

Class communication

Now think of advice you would give to a novice interviewee. Get into groups and prepare the list of ideas to compare them afterwards.

An Appointment for a Job interview.

James:	Hello.
Mrs. Hilbig:	Hello. Could I speak with James Fletcher, please?
James:	This is James Fletcher.
Mrs. Hilbig:	Good afternoon, Mr. Fletcher. This is Vera Hilbig calling from the New York News-Tribune. We would like to schedule an interview with you in regard to the position for which you have applied.
James:	Certainly, Ms. Hilbig. When would it be convenient for you?
Mrs. Hilbig:	Could you come to New York next Tuesday, February 26, and meet with us at 3.00 in the afternoon?
James:	Yes, that will be fine. What's the address?
Mrs. Hilbig:	The New York News-Trib Building is on the northwest corner of 42nd Street and 13th Avenue. My office is on the 35th floor. We will look forward to see­ing you then.
James:	I'll be there. Thank you very much for calling. I'll see you next Tuesday.
Mrs. Hilbig:	You're welcome. Good-bye.
James:	Good-bye.

The Job Interview

James:	Good Afternoon.. I am James Fletcher. I have an appointment for an interview at 3.00.
Secretary:	Yes, Mr. Fletcher. Mr. Stevens is waiting for you. Would you сопле this way, please?
Secretary:	Mr. Stevens, this is Mr. Fletcher.
Mr. Stevens:	It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Fletcher. Please, take a seat. I am Ken Stevens of the editorial board.
James:	I am very pleased to meet you.
Mr. Stevens:	I see you've had some newspaper experience in college. Could you tell me a little more about that?
James:	Yes, sir. I've worked on the school paper for three years. Right now I am the magazine editor, and I write an article or two for each issue.
Mr. Stevens:	Good. Now, in front of you is the list of requirements for the job. Have you read it?
James:	Yes.
Mr. Stevens:	So let's go through it. As you know we need people who are multilingual.
James:	I am certainly that.
Mr. Stevens:	Which languages do you speak?
James:	Russian, German, French and Swedish.
Mr. Stevens:	Swedish?
James:	I've got a Swedish mother.
Mr. Stevens:	I see. What's your degree of fluency in these languages?
James:	I'm fluent in Russian and German, above average in French and I'm afraid my Swedish is a bit rusty.
Mr. Stevens:	We'll put down 'elementary', shall we?
James:	That seems reasonable.
Mr. Stevens:	Now, what about Word Processing? Can you do that?
James:	Yes, I'm very good at it.
Mr. Stevens:	One final thing ... can you drive?
James:	Yes, I've got a driving licence.
Mr. Stevens:	Good. Do you have questions for me, James?
James:	Well, could you tell me what kind of work will be involved in this job?
Mr. Stevens:	For the first year or so, it would be learning how the News-Trib operates -proofreading, reporting, writing. Later on there could be a foreign assignment.
James:	What about benefits?
Mr. Stevens:	Two weeks' holiday, full medical coverage, and an excellent pension plan. Our personnel department will tell you more.
James:	That sounds perfect. When will I know your decision?
Mr. Stevens:	We have about twenty more people to interview for the position this week. We'll have to see how you stack up against the other applicants. We should be able to notify you by the middle of March.
James:	I'll be waiting to hear from you.
Mr. Stevens:	Thank you for coming, James.
James:	Thank you. Good bye, Mr. Stevens.

Getting along with idioms

Andrew Monk arrives just in time for his interview. He completes an application form and then talks to an interviewer.

Mr. Reed:	Where have you worked before, Andrew?
Andrew:	So far I've had only summer jobs.
Mr. Reed:	I see.
Andrew:	But I'm a good worker, and I'm looking for something permanent.
Mr. Reed:	It sounds like you really want to get ahead, Andrew.
Andrew:	Yes, Mr. Reed. I always do my best. I write well, and I'm an excellent typist. I take pride in my work.
Mr. Reed:	So you think you would like this job as a receptionist?
Andrew:	Yes, I would.
Mr. Reed:	You would have to be on time every day. Could I count on you to be here at exactly 9.00 a.m.?
Andrew:	Oh, yes. I was always on time in high school. I had a perfect record.
Mr. Reed:	There's one thing I want to point out. Sometimes business isn't good and we have to lay off workers. We can't guarantee the job for more than six months.
Andrew:	I understand. I'm willing to take a chance.
Mr. Reed:	We'll let you know our decision next week.
Andrew:	Thank you, Mr. Reed.