Exercises

1. Read and translate an interview at an American company.

Alan Green: Thank you for coming, Mr. Oliveira. My name is Alan Green. I am in charge of Human Resources.

Mr. Oliveira: How do you do?

A. G.: Do have a seat. Now then. I see you are working for the Medilab at the moment. How long have you been there?

M. O.: Since 2001. It's a very interesting post, but I'm looking for something with more responsibility.

A. G.: So you are ready for a change?

M. O.: Yes. I feel I have come as far as I can at Medilab and I think it is time to do something different.

A. G.: And can your family move with you easily?

M. O.: Our children are small, so it's no problem for them to change schools. My wife is a nurse, so she can find work in another part of the country, or even in another country.

A. G.: What kind of salary are you looking for?

M. O.: At the moment, I earn $ 75,000 plus a car so I would like $ 90,000 plus a car if possible.

A. G.: That should be fine. Have you worked abroad?

M. O.: Yes. I worked In Argentine for two years. I'd like to have a chance to go abroad again.

A. G.: You also worked in Peru, I see.

M. O.: Oh, yes. That's true. It was about five years ago. We set up a vaccination program in villages in Peru.

A. G.: Really? And what languages can you speak?

M. O.: Portuguese is my mother tongue. I can also speak English, Spanish and a little Italian.

A. G.: I'm impressed. Some of our contracts are with Japanese companies. Can you speak Japanese?

M. O.: No, I can't but I can always learn.

A. G.: Never mind! I’m now going to introduce you to our Sales and Marketing Directors for more technical questions. I’ll see you later for some aptitude and language tests.

2. Write down all the information about Mr. Oliveira. The following may be of help.

1. Mr. Oliveira is Portuguese and he can speak …

2. He has got a wife and …

3. He is now working …

4. But at the same time he is looking for …

5. He would like …

6. He has sent his resume to …

7. At the interview ...

3. Answer the following questions using the above dialogue.

1. How long has Mr. Oliveira worked for Medilab?

2. Who is interviewing Mr. Oliveira?

3. Is he ready to change his job? Why?

4. What kind of salary is he looking for?

5. Has he worked abroad?

6. Does he want to work abroad?

7. Is he ready to learn Japanese?

4. Open the brackets in the job interview using the verbs in the correct (tense) forms.

Interviewer: Good morning, Mr. Gray. How can we help you?

Mr. Gray: Well, I wonder if there (to be) any jobs available in your firm?

I.: What you (to know) of our company, Mr. Gray?

M. G.: Well, I know you (to be) one of the biggest soap manufacturers in the country.

Your firm (to be founded) 30 years ago, so you (to be) in business for 30 years. Well...

I.: What type of job (to want) you?

M. G.: I don't know.

I.: What firm you (to work) with at the moment?

M. G.: I'm the personal assistant to the head of the legal department of Cadnams.

I.: What it (to involve)?

M. G.: I work with documents and people.

I.: You (to have) anything to do with sales? How long you (to be) with them?

M. G.: I (to work) with them since I (to leave) University.

I.: And when (to be) that?

M. G.: Three years ago. I (to study) law.

I.: Why you (to go) to Cadnams?

M. G.: Well I don't really know. It (to seem) a good job.

I.: You (to speak) any foreign languages?

M. G.: Yes, I do. I (to speak) French and Italian. I (to spend) several years abroad when I (to be) younger.

I.: You (to drive)?

M. G.: Yes, I (to do).

I.: How much salary you (to get)?

M. G.: My present salary (to be) $ 1000 a month. I (cannot) accept less than that.

I.: I see. By the way, why you (to want) to leave?

M. G.: I don't get on with my boss.