Unit 3 Job Interview

Objectives

Students will be able to:

  1. grasp the main idea and structure of the text;
  2. realize the importance of examples in illustrating one’s points;
  3. master the key language points and grammatical structures in the text;
  4. conduct a series of reading, listening, speaking and writing activities related to the theme of the unit.

Time Allotment

1st period: Warm-up Activities (20 minutes);

While-reading (Text Organization; Part I) (30 minutes).

2nd period: While-reading (Part II ~ Part III) (50 minutes).

3rd period: Post-reading:

Check on students’ recitation (8 minutes); Dictate 5 sentences (10 minutes);

Deal with text analysis (12 minutes);

Discussion: How to prepare for an interview (Some Tips of “DOs and DON’Ts”) (20 minutes).

4th period: Post-reading:

Vocabulary Exercises (50 minutes).

5th period: Post-reading:

Structure (15 minutes); Cloze (20 minutes);

Check on translationexercise (15 minutes).

6th period: Deal with Text B (30 minutes); Essay Writing (20 minutes).

Warm-up Activities

1.Lecture Time.

2.Role Play: How to Prepare for an Interview

Ask several groups of Ss to give us a role-play: Interview

Introduction of Text A

All our preparations have been done from the interviewer’s point of view, now let’s study Text A to get the interviewer’s perspective.

Text A Get the Job You Want

Text Organization

Part One (Paras. 1-6): A recent college graduate failed to answer the questions at an interview because of lack of preparations.

Part Two (Paras. 7-27): Four pieces of advice on being a successful interviewee.

Part Three (Paras. 28-31): Everyone should make his or her own tracks in whatever he or she does.

Importance of Examples: Suggestions without examples are dry and hard to understand; suggestions with examples are comparable to bones covered with flesh. It is also a good idea to start an article with an example that is relevant to readers’ life and interests, like the author did in this text.

Suggestions / Examples
1) Prepare to win. / 1) Michael Jordan
2) Never stop learning. / 2) a 90-year-old tennis player
3) Believe in yourself, even when no one else does. / 3) the four-minute mile, the New York Marathon and the Vietnam veteran
4) Find a way to make a difference. / 4) a New York cabdriver

Check Ss’ previewing of the text by having them do some True or False questions.

  1. The writer is the owner of Mackay Envelope Corporation, a manufacturing company. (T)
  2. The answers the writer got from the college students who wanted a job were all positive. (F)
  3. Today’s graduates will probably have the same job for the rest of their lives. (F)
  4. The 90-year-old tennis player insisted on playing the backhand court during the match because he wanted to work on his weaknesses. (T)
  5. Once it was decided that to cover a mile in four minutes was physically impossible for humans. (T)
  6. Curt Carlson was so happy because they landed at the airport safely at last. (F)

Language Study

New Words and Expressions:

1.grill: question intensely

The detective grilled him for 4 hours.

2.in sb’s hands:

His father’s company has been in his hands for some years.

3.prospective: potential

~ buyers

4.as I see it : in my opinion

As I see it, this is the best book on the subject.

5.endeavor: v. /n. try

The company has endeavored to deal with clients’ complaints as promptly as possible. / make every ~

6.work out: have a certain result

7.do one’s homework: make preparations beforehand

He had done his homework before he delivered the speech.

8.go after: try hard to obtain

He went after first prize in the English speech contest.

  1. close every sale: complete/ be successful in every sale

10.wandercf.wonder

11.incidentally: by the way

12.bracket: group, category age ~ / This new car is out of my price ~.

13.take/ have a crack at : try to do sth

They have decided to have a crack at the double championship.

Let me have a crack at it.

14.make a difference: have an effect, change the situation

Having a good teacher has made all the difference for him.

Where you live can make such a difference to the way you feel.

make a great ~, make no ~, make all the ~

15.pry:

We don’t want people prying into our affairs.

Some reporters like to pry into film stars’ private life.

16.in the neighborhood of: about

He has an annual salary in the neighborhood of 40,000 dollars.

  1. beyond one’s (wildest) dreams:

Ten years ago it was beyond my wildest dreams that I could afford a car.

18.from one’s standpoint:

From a human standpoint, all of the world's physical resources are in finite supply.

Difficult Sentences:

  1. Had he asked any friends to grill him in a mock interview? Did he go to the library to find newspaper clippings on us? (Lines 10-12) 有没有要朋友对他进行反复模拟面试（不断地向他提问）？是否到图书馆去找过有关公司的简报？

2.How well prepared would this person be if he were to call on a prospective customer for us? 如果他要去见可能成为我们客户的人，他的准备工作会做得怎样呢？

虚拟语气，与将来事实相反的虚拟语气

3.The Michael Jordans of the world have talent, … basketball court. (Lines 27-29)

世界上诸如迈克尔·乔丹这一类成功人士，无疑是有天赋的，但他们也是第一个到篮球场，最后一个离开的人。

4. miracle of miracles (Line 61) 奇迹中的奇迹

5.As we drove off, he held up a choice of newspaper and said “be my guest”. (Lines 85-86) 车启动后，他递上几份报纸说：“请随便翻阅”。

be my guest: help yourself, 意为“欢迎你赏光，欢迎你使用”

Text Analysis

According to the Writing Strategy in Unit 4, there are usually 5 ways to begin an essay: using quotation, asking a question, stating the time and place of the event to be described, providing relevant background information, and giving a surprising or interesting fact.

Text A of this unit starts with a personal story, which could also be very appealing to the readers. Personal experiences sound real. They can also narrow the distance between the author and the reader.

Then the author offers 4 keys to getting hired. All are instructive yet each is begun in a way different from the rest stylistically.

Key 1 starts with a quotation; Key 2 starts with a surprising fact; Key 3 begins with a question; and Key 4 begins with a personal opinion. All this makes the article more appealing to the reader.

Dictation

Translate the following 5 sentences into English:

1. 一些记者喜欢窥视影星们的私生活。

Some reporters like to pry into the film stars’ private life.

2. 我们担心恐怖分子们在恐吓之后将会进行炸弹袭击。

We are worried that the terrorists will follow up their threats with bomb attacks.

3. 老师一提出问题他就把答案脱口而出。

As soon as the teacher put forward the question, he blurted the answer out.

4. 你今天去还是明天去都没有关系。

It won’t make much difference whether you go today or tomorrow.

5. 十年前我无论如何也想不到能买的起汽车。

Ten years ago it was beyond my wildest dreams that I could afford a car.

Discussion

How to Prepare for the Interview?

Some “DOs” and “DON’Ts”

  1. Do plan to arrive on time or a few minutes early.
  2. If presented with an application, do fill it out neatly and completely.
  3. Do walk energetically, smile, and shake hands firmly with the interviewer.

4.Do wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. Be a good listener as well as a good communicator.

5.Do look a prospective employer in the eye while speaking.

6.Do show enthusiasm.

  1. Don’t answer with a simple “yes” or “no”. Explain whenever possible.
  2. Don’t inquire about salary, vacations, bonuses, retirement, etc., on the initial interview unless you are sure the employer is interested in hiring you.

Essay Writing

How to Write Job Application Letters

An application letter accompanies and introduces a résumé when the résumé is being mailed to a prospective employer. Here are some guidelines for composing an effective application letter:

  1. An application letter should always be addressed to a specific individual.
  2. In the opening paragraph of the letter, you should clarify which specific job you want and how you learned about the job vacancy.
  3. The letter should go on to state, in summary fashion, why you want the job and why you qualify for it.
  4. End by requesting an interview. Provide a phone number so the employer can contact you quickly. If you can be reached only at certain times, specify them.
  5. Be concise. Generally speaking, an application letter shouldn't be longer than one page.
  6. Avoid bragging or boasting. Call attention to your most impressive achievements relating to the job you are seeking, and let these achievements speak for themselves.

Some Useful Expressions

Beginnings

  1. In reply to your advertisement in today’s newspaper, I respectfully offer my services for this situation.
  2. With reference to your advertisement in newspaper of May 2 for a clerk, I offer myself to the post.
  3. Learning from Mr. Chen that you are looking for a sales manager, I should like to apply this position.

About Personal Ability

  1. Being well acquainted with office works, I could make myself generally useful, should there be any opportunity of your requiring my services.
  2. I have been at the CityCommercialCollege, where I have acquired knowledge of English, mathematics and elementary business practice.

Reasons for Leaving

  1. My reason for leaving my present employment is that I am desirous of getting broader experience of trading.
  2. I am desirous of leaving the employment in order to improve my position and have more responsibility.
  3. Unfortunately, I have had to leave my position, as my employers have been force to liquidate their business due to worldwide economic adversity.

About Salary

  1. I should require a commencing salary of 9,600 dollars a month, plus 1% commission on all sales.
  2. As regards salary, I leave it to you to decide after experience of my capacity.

About Enclosure

  1. You will find enclosed an outline of my education and business training and copies of two letters of recommendation.
  2. Enclosed please find a résumé and a photo.

Endings

  1. I should be glad to have a personal interview and can furnish references if desired.
  2. Should you think favorably of my application, please kindly grant me an interview.

Assignments

After the 1st and 2nd periods:

1. Memorize Paragraphs 28-31.

2. Memorize all the new words.

3. Do vocabulary, structure and cloze exercises.

After the 3rd and 4th periods:

1. Do translation exercise.

2. Read Text B (A Mortal Flower) and do the required exercises.

After the 5th and 6th periods:

1. Writing:

Write a letter applying for a job that someone has told you about. Pay special attention to the Writing Strategy on Page 105.

2. Preview Unit 4.