英语听力精选进阶版 6441

How do you feel about job interviews? I'm never ready for them no matter how I prepare. In my attempts to impress my prospective¹ employers I end up talking too much and losing my train of thought.

Sometimes they ask difficult questions like: "Where do you see yourself in five years?" These days everything happens so fast that I can hardly think where I'll be even two years from now!

But I can count myself lucky. One man in Cardiff had to dance during his interview for a job as a shop assistant at an electronics superstore. He felt embarrassed, complained, and the story ended up in the newspapers. The company apologised and invited him to do a new interview. He declined.

Experts say that companies receive too many CVs nowadays and that their interview panels have too many candidates to talk to. So some are trying unorthodox ways to see who stands out.

Some interviewers might unsettle you by criticising your CV. Simon Mitchell, of leadership consultants² DDI, says: "The interviewer will put you under pressure to see how you react. Once you see that it is what they are driving at, try to keep calm."

So: control your nerves, research the company you want to work for, think about specific examples of things you've achieved in previous organisations and be prepared to say something intelligent when confronted with the question: "What is your biggest fault?"

My friend Jamal came up with a great answer which he said worked for him: "I tend to be a workaholic."

My grandmother has some advice too. She says: "Tell them you are too giving and offer them some sweets from your bag. This will ensure you leave a lasting³ impression. They will think you're sweet and you'll get the job!"

What about you: would you follow Jamal's advice or my grandmother's?

Quiz 测验

1. What is the author's problem with job interviews?

Talking too much, losing their train of thought, and not knowing what to say when the interviewer asks about the author's future.

2. What role was the candidate in Cardiff applying for?

Shop assistant.

3. How should you react when interviewers unsettle you?

Keep calm.

4. What should you research about before going to a job interview?

Information about the company you want to work for.

5. According to Jamal's advice, when should you say you're a 'workaholic'?

When asked what your biggest fault is.

Glossary 词汇表

a job interview 工作面试

prospective employer 未来的雇主

train of thought 思绪

to count (myself) lucky 算我有运气

embarrassed 尴尬的

an interview panel 面试小组

a candidate 候选人

unorthodox 非正统的，不寻常的

to stand out 脱颖而出

to unsettle (令人) 感到不安

to drive at 用意

fault 缺点

a workaholic 工作狂

giving 给予，施舍

a lasting impression 持久的印象

1 prospective   

adj.预期的，未来的，前瞻性的

参考例句：

• The story should act as a warning to other prospective buyers.这篇报道应该对其他潜在的购买者起到警示作用。
• They have all these great activities for prospective freshmen.这会举办各种各样的活动来招待未来的新人。

2 consultants   

顾问( consultant的名词复数 )； 高级顾问医生，会诊医生

参考例句：

• a firm of management consultants 管理咨询公司
• There're many consultants in hospital. 医院里有很多会诊医生。

3 lasting   

adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持

参考例句：

• The lasting war debased the value of the dollar.持久的战争使美元贬值。
• We hope for a lasting settlement of all these troubles.我们希望这些纠纷能获得永久的解决。