节目资讯
刊物:空中英语教室
日期:2012-05-14
难易度:High
关键字:urban legend, presumptuous, sodium, unfortunately
Hi, friends. Welcome back from the break.
Let us be wise and take this opportunity to learn from the mistakes of others.
If, however, you're the type of person who would do something bizarre like take
a bird to a job interview, then let this lesson serve as a warning.
OK. Let's continue the reading down on line 17.
(Music).
How Not to Get Hired: Bring Your Cockatoo to the Interview.
Even a handshake can ruin your chances of landing the job.
True or not - and in the case of the sodium-loving job seeker probably not true
- the story is a reminder not to give employers a reason to pick someone else.
Everything you do is being used to decide whether or not you're a good fit for
the position.
Apparently not all job seekers know this.
According to a recent Robert Half survey, job seekers keep making some interview
errors that are so outstanding you want to believe they're joking.
Unfortunately, that's not the case.
All right. So we've seen how bosses don't want to hire a rigid worker.
Even little things can keep you from getting the job you want, like having a
typo in your cover letter or saying certain things on your resume.
If it's too long, they might not hire you.
Even a handshake can ruin your chances of landing the job.
A handshake can ruin the chances?
I thought shaking someone's hand was a good thing.
Sometimes it's the way you shake their hands.
Sometimes you can learn a lot about a person just by the feel of their hand.
That's right.
Now friends, when you are shaking someone's hand, when you're meeting someone
for the first time,
even if you're not going for a job interview, make sure you shake their hand
strong.
Don't hurt, but be confident.
It shows you're comfortable and confident in yourself.
Don't be afraid of being very strong in your handshake.
It's a good thing.
It shows good comfort and self-control.
Yeah. Most people like a nice, strong handshake.
And you do want to land the job.
That... that simply means that you got hired.
That's right.
You got the job.
Congratulations.
Well, true or not - and in the case of the sodium-loving seeker... job seeker
probably not true - the story is a reminder not to give employers a reason to
pick someone else.
So there's a lot going on in that sentence.
That's true.
Let's back on up here.
We're talking about the example that we used when we're talking about the
sodium-loving seeker... uh, the sodium-loving job seeker.
The word "sodium" there, what does that mean?
Well, "sodium" is a soft, silvery white chemical element that is found in salt.
Usually when we think "sodium," we think salt.
So it's just a chemical.
And if he is sodium-loving, that means he really likes it. And he obviously
likes salt.
Right. And so we're saying here don't give the interviewer a reason not to hire
you.
And so we're using that as an example.
They just were too rigid.
They wanted their food to have more salt even though they didn't taste it first.
They just were too rigid.
And that gave their boss a reason not to hire them.
That's right. Be the best you can be.
Don't give them an excuse to not hire you.
OK. Now everything you do is being used to decide whether or not you are a good
fit for the position.
That's right.
Everything you're doing, from the first minute you walk in there, you should be
smiling.
And the handshakes should be strong and firm and confident but not too powerful.
Make sure you're on your best behavior and you're ready to show them that this
is something you are a good fit for.
Yeah. And you want to be a good fit.
The phrase "being a good fit" simply means that you have all of the skills that
you need for something and you will fit in.
That means you belong there.
That's right. You need to show them that you belong in this position.
Well, we have some more information about that.
So let's visit the Information Station.
You know what, Bryan, we are hiring here at Information Station.
Oh. We are, Bill?
I didn't know that.
Yes. We need to fill a key position, and fast.
But to get to this important interview, we need to go to...
Information Station.
So Bill, who are we interviewing?
We are going to have a video interview with Erma.
OK. Erma, we're going to start our interview now.
OK. I'm ready.
First off, Erma, what in the world is that on your shoulder?
Oh. That's just my pet cardinal, Stanley.
He does with me everywhere.
Really? Everywhere?
Excuse me, Erma, you may want to leave Stanley at home, assuming you still have
a chance of landing this job.
That's right.
Please put Stanley down somewhere so we can concentrate on this interview.
Thanks.
Good. Now Erma, can you tell us where you went to school?
Actually, Bryan, that's not too important for this position.
So then, let's move on.
Erma, are you good with people?
Oh, yes. I love people, not as much as cardinals.
But sometimes people can be really nice.
Hold on, Erma. Did you say you like animals more than people?
Well, I do think that.
And that is a great quality to have.
In fact, that's just what we're looking for in our new employee.
It is?
Bill, what is the job we are hiring for anyway?
We are hiring for a new assistant for Tango Bear.
Excuse me... did you say "bear"?
Yes, yes.
But there's no reason to be afraid, Erma.
Tango Bear is very gentle, and he is an intelligent creature.
There's no such thing as a gentle bear.
I'm out of here.
Whoa!
I guess Tango will have to wait a little longer for his new assistant, Bill.
Yes, I guess he will.
Well, until then, we'll see you all next time here at...
Information Station.
So everything you do is helping your potential boss to make a decision whether
or not they want to hire you, everything you do.
And apparently not all job seekers know that.
Apparently, they don't.
I... I would assume that that's what people would think.
But "apparently" means obviously or according to this, we are now learning that
some people don't know that.
Yeah. Some people think I just need to memorize some things, say the right
thing.
But they don't think, well, I need to wear the right clothes, have a good
handshake, and really know what you're talking about in a job interview.
Well, according to a recent Robert Half survey, job seekers keep making some
interview errors that are so outstanding you want to believe they're joking.
Now we see the word "outstanding" here.
That means they are really crazy, they're not... they're very strange.
Now unfortunately, they're not always joking, though, are they?
That's right.
Unfortunately, that's not the case.
"Unfortunately" it's not just a joke.
When we say something is unfortunate, it is something that is sad or
disappointing to have to say.
Yeah. It's very sad, and it has a bad effect.
So here they are not joking.
There really are many job seekers who do some outstanding things in jobs
interviews.
That's right. We're going to talk about those outstanding things later.
But for now, let's visit the Chat Room.
Hi, Ken.
Anything good in the newspaper today?
Well, I'm not sure about the news.
I'm looking at the classified section.
Oh. Are you wanting to buy something?
No. I'm looking at the job openings.
My cousin needs a job, and I'd like to help him.
That's kind of you.
Well, I hope he lands a good job soon.
Lands a good job?
I'm not sure what you mean by that.
"Landing a job" simply means securing a job or getting it.
Oh. So "land" is used as a verb?
That's right.
OK. Well, I do see quite a few job openings here.
Say, Bryan, are there any other uses of "land" as a verb?
Sure. There are quite a few.
In fact, one can land a contract, land a fish and...
Land an airplane.
Right. "Landing a contract" means to win a contract, while "landing a fish"
means to catch it and pull it in.
And "landing a plane" means to bring it down to the ground safely.
Yes. And there's another informal usage of "land" as a verb.
Sometimes we talk about a crime "landing" someone in jail.
Hmm. So if I get caught stealing a book, I might land in jail?
That's close.
But the idea is that the action of stealing could cause you to go to jail.
So "land" in this usage takes a direct object: land you in jail.
Well, you don't have to worry about me.
I'll bring all my library books back on time.
Good.
(Chinese).
(Chinese).
And that concludes our Language Tips today.
Take care and bye-bye.
Hey, come on, job interviews are already stressful enough.
Who can explain why people do and say strange things to make it worse?
Maybe it's because of ignorance, pride or a lack of manners that ruins their
chances of getting the job.
Friends, tomorrow the fun really begins because we're going to look at some
real-life examples of bizarre things people have done during a job interview.
So until then, I and everyone here at Studio Classroom hope you have a great
day.