招聘起因：我需要一个助手

 　　话说Ballito先生的秘书Opal是非常的忙。She has to answer letters, take messages, arrange appointments and answer the telephone. 因此Ballito 先生认为该给这位好秘书找一个助手。他决定在报纸上登一个招聘广告。现在Opal正在帮Ballito 先生起草广告。

　　MR BALLITO: Opal. I want to advertise for a new junior.

　　OPAL: A new junior?

　　MR BALLITO: Yes, a new junior secretary. You have to spend so much time on the telephone that you need someone to help you in the office.

　　OPAL: That's a good idea. Then I can spend more time dealing¹ with correspondence².

　　MR BALLITO: Yes, and if you spend more time on correspondence, I'll have more time to visit customers.

　　OPAL: And the firm will do more business.

　　MR BALLITO: Yes, and if the firm does more business, it'll make more money.

　　OPAL: (LAUGHING) And we'll all get more pay.

　　MR BALLITO: Yes, perhaps. Anyway let's start by getting a new junior secretary. We can put an advertisement in the daily newspaper.

　　OPAL: Right, what shall we say in it?

　　MR BALLITO: (DICTATING) Erm ... Junior Secretary wanted, Oh, in block capitals. Then, Em ... A vacancy³ exists for a junior secretary in a medium-sized firm. Applicants⁵, should be, shorthand-typists with knowledge of secretarial duties. Normal. What about that?

　　OPAL: I think it would be a good idea to put "office practice" instead of "secretarial duties."

　　MR BALLITO: Do you? Why?

　　OPAL: Well, if she's worked in an office, she will know about office practice. But she may not know anything about secretarial duties.

　　MR BALLITO: Yes. Yes, you're quite right. Put "Applicants should be shorthand-typists with knowledge of office practice". Secretarial training provided.

　　OPAL: Oh, I see. If she wants to know anything special, I'll explain it to her.

　　MR BALLITO: Yes, yes. Now should we ask applicants to phone or write?

　　OPAL: Oh, phone, I think. You can find out a great deal about someone from their telephone manner. Oh, and what about languages?

　　MR BALLITO: Well, anyone who uses the telephone in business should be able to speak at least one foreign language - we'd better put "Knowledge of one foreign language essential" somewhere. Oh, and will you mention that when you are interviewing the applicant⁴. Now, read out the advertisement.

　　OPAL: JUNIOR SECRETARY WANTED - in block capitals. Then Um. A vacancy exists for a junior secretary in a medium-sized firm. Applicants should be shorthand-typists with knowledge of office practice. Secretarial training provided. Knowledge of one foreign language essential. Telephone Dongali 52364 and ask for Miss Opal Karli.

　　MR BALLITO: Yes, now that's all right. Type it out and send it to the "Dongali Times".

　　OPAL: When do you want it to appear?

　　MR BALLITO: Oh, in Friday's issue, I think. Thank you Opal. Thank you.

　　广告登出后，他们就等着来人应聘了。欲知后事，且看下回。

1 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

2 correspondence   

n.信件，通信（联系）符合，一致，相似

参考例句：

• He showed me all the correspondence relating to the matter.他把与这件事有关的全部信件都给我看了。
• What she has just said isn't in correspondence with the views of the majority.她刚才所说的同大多数人所持的观点不一致。

3 vacancy   

n.（旅馆的）空位，空房，（职务的）空缺

参考例句：

• Her going on maternity leave will create a temporary vacancy.她休产假时将会有一个临时空缺。
• The vacancy of her expression made me doubt if she was listening.她茫然的神情让我怀疑她是否在听。

4 applicant   

n.申请人，求职者，请求者

参考例句：

• He was the hundredth applicant for the job. 他是第100个申请这项工作的人。
• In my estimation, the applicant is well qualified for this job. 据我看, 这位应征者完全具备这项工作的条件。

5 applicants   

申请人，求职人( applicant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• There were over 500 applicants for the job. 有500多人申请这份工作。
• He was impressed by the high calibre of applicants for the job. 求职人员出色的能力给他留下了深刻印象。