Headhunting

Ex. 1. You are going to listen to a consultant talking about the recruitment process. Before this, match the verbs from A to the nouns from B to make word partnerships.

A	B
to train	a vacancy/post
to shortlist	an interview panel
to advertise	the candidates
to assemble	references
to make	new staff
to check	a job offer

Now decide on a possible order for the events above from the employer’s point of view. For example: 1. to advertise a vacancy 2. … 3. … 4. … 5. … 6. …

Ex. 2. Listen to the recording to check your answers.

Ex. 3. Complete the text using the words or phrases from the box.

curriculum vitae (CV)/resume	probationary period	interview
application form	psychometric test	covering letter

These days many applicants submit their (1) …… speculatively to the companies they would like to work for. In other words, they do not apply for an advertised job but hope the employer will be interested enough to keep their CV on file and contact them when they have a vacancy. When replying to an advertisement, candidates often fill in a/an (2) …… and write a/an (3) …… . The employer will then invite the best candidates to attend a/an (4) …… . Sometimes candidates will take a/an (5) …… before the interview to assess their mental ability and reasoning skills. These days it is normal for successful candidates to have to work a/an (6) …… in a company. This is usually three or six months; after that they are offered a permanent post.

SPEAKING

A. Useful Language: Problem-solving.

a) Stating options There are several ways we could deal with this.	d) Considering less obvious options We could try …
b) Balancing arguments Let’s look at the pros and cons. On the one hand … On the other hand …	e) Discussing possible effects If we do this, then …
c) Changing your approach Let’s look at this from another angle.	f) Making a decision The best way forward is to …
	g) Stating future action The next thing to do is …

Ex. 1. Listen to two directors talking about the problem of staff taking too many days of sick leave. Then answer these questions.

1. What are the first three solutions proposed by one of the directors to solve the problem of absenteeism?

2. What do the directors finally decide to do?

Ex. 2. Match the comments below to the correct headings in the Useful language box.

3. Let’s discuss the advantages and disadvantages.

4. My solution, then, is to …

5. We have a number of options.

6. Let’s look at this a different way.

7. Let’s think about the consequences of …

8. It might be worth considering …

9. What we’ve got to do now is …

Ex. 3. Listen again. Tick the expressions from the Useful language box that you hear.

Ex. 4. Role play this situation.

You are senior managers at a hi-fi manufacturer. Your company is losing market share. You strongly suspect your main rival is using unfair methods to promote its products.

For example, you are almost sure that your rival has been:

1. making cash payments to main dealers;

2. offering expensive gifts to important customers.

Hold a meeting to consider how to solve the problem.

B. Discuss the following issues:

1. How will you characterize the current economic situation in your country?

1. Are most of the people you know currently optimistic or pessimistic about the future?

2. Would you say that they are saving money for bad times ahead, or spending and borrowing without worrying too much about the future?

3. Either way, can you see anything coming that might cause them to change their behaviour?

4. How will you comment on the one-liner: “When your neighbour loses his job, it’s a recession; when you lose your job it’s a depression.”

5. Are there any jobs in your country which are in constant demand?

6. Are you optimistic or pessimistic about your own future? Do you expect the qualification you are currently studying for to get you a permanent job?

7. What is the situation in the job market in Belarus/the USA/Great Britain regarding different types of unemployment?

C. Speak on the following issues:

• Business cycle and its features.

• The phases of business cycle.

• Business cycle theories.

• Unemployment and its types.

• The reasons for unemployment.

• Costs of unemployment