6.25. Work in a group. Discuss the following rules for job seekers and

pick up five rules which are the most important ones in each section.

Present your opinions in class.

Dos and Don’ts for Job Seekers

• DO learn ahead of time about the company and its product. Do your homework.

• DO apply for a job in person.

• DO let as many people as possible know you are “job hunting.”

• DO stress your qualification for the job opening.

• DO recount experience you have had which would fit you for the job.

• DO talk and think as far as possible about the future rather than the past.

• DO indicate, where possible, your stability, attendance record and good safety experience.

• DO assume an air of confidence

• DO approach the employer with respectful dignity.

• DO try to be optimistic in your atti­tude.

• DO maintain your poise and self-control.

• DO try to overcome nervousness and shortness of breath.

• DO hold yourself erect.

• DO answer questions honestly and with straightforwardness.

• DO have a good resume.

• DO know the importance of getting along with people.

• DO recognize your limitations.

• DO make plenty of applications.

• DO indicate your flexibility and readiness to learn.

• DO be well-groomed and appropri­ately dressed.

• DON’T keep stressing your need for a job.

• DON’T discuss past experience which has no application to the job situation.

• DON’T apologize for your age.

• DON’T be untidy in appearance.

• DON’T display “cocksureness”.

• DON’T cringe or beg for consider­ation.

• DON’T speak with muffled voice or indistinctly.

• DON’T be one of those who can do anything.

• DON’T hedge in answering ques­tions.

• DON’T express your ideas on com­pensation, hours, etc. early in the interview.

• DON’T hesitate to fill out applica­tions, give references, and take physical examination or tests on request.

• DON’T hang around, prolonging the interview, when it should be over.

• DON’T go to an interview without a record of your former work con­nection.

• DON’T arrive late and breathless for an interview.

• DON’T be a “know it all” or a per­son who can't take instructions.

• DON’T isolate yourself from con­tacts that might help you find a job.

• DON’T feel that the world owes you for a living.

• DON’T make claims if you cannot “deliver” on the job.

• DON’T display a feeling of inferi­ority.

6.26. A) An interview is a very important step in a job-hunting process. Read the text below and discuss its major issues with a partner. Answer the questions after the text.

Everybody knows that the point of an interview is to give the prospective employer a chance to evaluate me prospective employee. But you should do more in an interview than just meekly answer questions. For one thing, employers usually don’t want to hire people who seem to think too little of themselves. For another, the point of an interview is also to give you a chance to evaluate the company.

Begin by going into the interview with the right attitude. If you go in thinking that you won’t get the job, you probably won’t. Negative assumptions can undermine and defeat you. So develop a positive outlook instead: Believe that you

will succeed.

You can boost your confidence by preparing as thoroughly as you can for the interview: putting resume, supporting materials, and your appearance all in order and practicing your interviewing technique over and over. With those basics under control, you can be confident of handling almost anything that arises. After all, an interview is a fairly standard event. If something does come up that you are not prepared for, just do your best — and be yourself. You don’t know what specific qualities the interviewer is looking for, and so it makes no sense to try remolding your personality to fit the interviewer’s ideal. Instead of worrying about the competition for a job, look on the interview as a chance to make your own unique qualities known.

In your job search, you will eventually have an interview that seems to be bearing fruit; the interviewer will start talking as if you will definitely be joining the company. Many people get so excited by the prospect of a serious job offer that they lose all rationality at this point and leave the interview in a haze of goodwill and eager anticipation. Instead, they should start asking questions that will help them evaluate the job objectively. Here are some things that you can reasonably ask the interviewer when the job appears to be within your reach:

• What happened to the last person who had this job?

• May I talk to someone who is doing what I will be doing?

• What is this company like as a place to work?

• Is the company growing, and where is the growth coming from?

• How and by whom will my performance be measured?

• How will the company help me meet the goals we agree on?

• What is the salary range for similar jobs in this organization?

• What other compensation is the company willing to offer?

• If relocation is involved, how much will the company help?

Don’t fear being direct when an interview seems to be going well; most employers will appreciate your hard-headed approach. Those that don’t may have personality or organizational problems that will make the job difficult for you. And you are better off asking questions before you take the job. The alternative may be looking for a new one a few months down the road.

Questions:

1. Can you think of any specific ‘symptoms’ that might indicate a company is not for you? What are they?

2. Asserting yourself when the interview is going well is one thing. Taking control when things are going badly is another. What can you do if you and the interviewer seem to be on different wavelengths?