David要去面试，他准备穿什么呢？我们一起听听他跟好朋友Peter的对话。
D: I'm going to get there early and make sure I have my best outfit all washed and ironed way ahead of time. If I wait for the last minute, I know I'll panic!
P: Yeah, preparation is key. Remember to call the interviewer by their name. People like to hear their name spoken out loud. But don't over-do it. Ok...so what are you planning on wearing next Tuesday?
D: Well, I want to look good, but I don't want to look too stuffy. I was thinking about nice jeans and a sports coat.
David准备提前到达面试地点，早早把要穿的衣服洗好、熨好。 Way ahead of time意思是早早的。If I wait for the last minute, 如果等到最后一分钟的话，就会panic, 意思是感到慌乱。 Peter提醒David要称呼面试官的名字，但是don't over-do it. 不要做得太过头。David说，他不想显得乏味，古板，too stuffy, 所以想穿牛仔裤和休闲西装上衣去面试。
P: Ummm...I'd recommend erring on the conservative side when it comes to clothes. I read somewhere that 55% of another person's perception of you is based on how you look. I'd say go with a suit and tie.
D: 55% huh? Then I guess it's better to be over-dressed than under-dressed.
P: Yeah. I'd say a dark suit with a conservative tie.
Peter建议David选择相对正式的西装和领带。 To err on the conservative side, 意思是宁可保守一点，因为别人对你的印象有55%都是根据你的外表得出的。It's better to be over-dressed than under-dressed. 宁可穿得过于正式over-dressed，也不要穿得过于随便under-dressed。
P: But the one main thing that I can't stress enough is confidence. If you need a clarification on something, speak up and ask...but don't turn into a blabbermouth.
D: Do you think I should tell him how terrible it is working at Shimomatsu Publishing? I bet he'd get a kick out of that!
Peter强调说，有什么问题尽管问，但不要喋喋不休don't turn into a blabbermouth. Blabbermouth，是多嘴多舌的意思。David想告诉面试官自己对现在的工作不满意。I bet he'd get a kick out of that. 意思是我想他听了一定很高兴。
P: Actually, when I interview people, I hate it when they badmouth previous employers. I think it's bad form and I also think "Is this what you're going to do to me one day?"
D: Good point. Peter, you are a true friend and I value your input.
P: Call me right after the interview and tell me how it went, OK?
D: Absolutely.
Peter觉得，最好不要badmouth previous employers，说以前老板的坏话，badmouth是说别人坏话的意思，因为it's bad form这是一种粗鲁的表现，form在这里是举止行为的意思。 |