Elena, the HR Manager, is discussing the candidates with the CEO, Mr. Black.
Elena: Two candidates really stand out.
Mr. Black: Peter and Simona?
Elena: That’s right. Simona looks great onpaper but she did not perform that well in the interview.
Mr. Black: Maybe she was nervous. So, who was a better candidate for you?
Elena: It’s a difficult question. They are both qualified.
Mr. Black: Yes, but we need people who fit well within our organization. Peter seems to be a better match, especially with his credentials.
Elena: Well, the main issue is the salary compensation based on his salary history.
Mr. Black: Ok, give him an offer and see how he reacts.
Elena: And we will keep Simona on the back burner.
Functional Language
Generalising
There are many phrases in English that we can use when we want to say that something is true most of the time but not all the time. Study the following phrases which can be used for generalising.
By and large... celkovo
On the whole... vcelku, celkovo
All in all... celkovo, jedno s druhým
Overall... celkovo
In general... / Generally speaking... vo všeobecnosti, všeobecne
Basically... v podstate
As a rule... spravidla
On average... v priemere
Roughly speaking... zhruba
1. Translate these sentences. Sometimes more than one option is possible.
Vo všeobecnosti dostane asi 10 % kandidátov ponuku na pracovné miesto.
Celkovo bol minulý rok pre našu firmu veľmi úspešný.
Tento rok sme prijali v priemere 20 nových zamestnancov.
Školenie trvá spravidla 1 týždeň.
The World of Work
First Impressions
When you are invited for a job interview by phone, confirm the time and date of your interview. Find the location on the map or check the bus or train to that destination. Give yourself extra time. Do not be late, plan to arrive a few minutes earlier. If you are delayed, call your contact and explain the reason for the delay. Pay particular attention to what you wear at the interview. That is part of the first impression.
When you enter the company, be positive, make eye contact and smile. You might encounter your future colleagues. In the first few minutes, be as positive about everything as you can. Your positive attitude may have an impact on whether they will consider you for the job within the first few minutes. Make sure you show your interest. After the interview, if you do not hear from the company after one week, call your contact and inquire on the status of the selection process.
Comprehension
2. Decide whether the following statements are True or False.
1. You should always call the prospective employer and ask them for the interview.
2. You shouldn’t arrive later for the interview.
3. A big smile is not very appropriate when greeting people.
4. Showing interest is essential.
Words That Work
Learn these words.
Lesson Vocabulary
impression - dojem
to encounter - stretnúť
attitude - postoj
to consider - brať do úvahy
credentials - referencie
to keep sb on the back burner - nechať si niekoho v zálohe
economic downturn - recesia
Write It Right
4. Match the headings with their description:
personal interests, references, skills, personal details, work experience, education
• .............................. - name, address, email and telephone number, nationality, age/date of birth, and marital status
• .............................. - your previous employment in reverse chronological order – the most recent job comes first
• .............................. - details of secondary and university education
• .............................. - ability in other languages, computing experience, or driving licence
• .............................. - showing that you are a responsible member of society with interests
• .............................. - usually give two names - one from your study, and one from any work you have had
Grammar Rules!
Past Tenses
• Past Simple tense
Past Simple can be used for completed situations. The action is completed.
They tried to protect their market shares.
• Past Continuous tense
Past Continuous (also called Past Progressive) is commonly used for actions which were going on (had not finished) at a particular time in the past. Past Continuous is usually used when one action began before another, and finished after it.
At that time we were investing money in IBM shares.
Practice
5. Complete the text with the correct tense, Past Simple or Past Continuous.
We would like to highlight the accomplishments over the past year. We successfully ............... (respond) to the economic downturn; we ............... (launch) the new grants and retirement plan; we ............... (develop) a new training strategy; and we ............... (contribute) to further reforms. All these attempts ............... (produce) real results. 2010 ............... (to be) a demanding year for us. From January to May, 2010, we .............. (complete) the ISO requirements and ............... (implement) new strategy while our head office ............... (participate) in a government program.
Key:
1. (sample answers)
In general about 10% of candidates are offered positions.
On the whole last year was very successful for our company.
This year we have hired 20 new employees on average.
As a rule the training takes one week.
2. 1. F, 2. T, 3. F, 4. T
4. personal details, work experience, education, skills, personal interests, references
5. responded
launched
developed
contributed
produced
was
were completing
implementing
was participating
