Business : Int: Human Resources - The Speaking Cats

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"One machine can do the work of 50 ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man" Elbert Hubbard (1856 - 1915) American writer

A- In your opinion, which factors below are important for getting a job? Choose the five most important. Is there anything missing from the list? Which do you think are not important? Why?

B-Think about jobs you've had and interviews you've attended. In pairs, ask each other about your best or worst:

1 a) job b) boss c) colleague.
2 a) interview experience b) interview question c) interview answer.

C- Discuss the statements.

1 At work, appearance is more important than performance.
2 You should keep your private life totally separate from your work.
3 People don't change much during their working lives.
4 It is best to work for as few companies as possible.
5 Everybody should retire at 50.

VOCABU LARY : Employing the right people

A- Complete the text with the words and phrases in the box.

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

These days, many applicants submit their speculatively to 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 All in a(n) and write a (n) The employer will then invite the best candidates to attend a(n) . Sometimes candidates will take a(n) before the interview to assess their mental ability and reasoning skills. These days, it is normal for successful candidates to have to work a(n) in a company. This is usually three or six months; after that, they are offered a permanent post.

B

Match the verbs (1-6) to the nouns (a-f) to make word partnerships.

1 to train a) a) vacancy/post
2 to shortlist b) an interview panel
3 to advertise c) the candidates
4 to assemble d) references
5 to make e) new staff
6 to check f) a job offer

C

When companies are recruiting, what sort of qualities in employees do they look for?

D- look at the different types of people. Which do you think are the most desirable for companies to employ?

This Iype of person:
1 is able to come up with ideas 6 has lots of energy and often gets excited
2 is respected and listened to by others 7 likes to assess and evaluate
3 is able to see different points of view 8 is able to change with new situations
4 can see how to put ideas into action 9 is someone you can trust and depend on.
5 is determined to succeed in their career 10 is concerned with details and getting things right even if it takes time

E- Match the descriptions above (1-10) to the adjectives in the box.Type the corresponding letter

a) enthusiastic b) adaptable c) methodical d) reliable e) ambitious f) objective g) creative h) analytical i) authoritative j) practical

1 is able to come up with ideas
2 is respected and listened to by others
3 is able to see different points of view
4 can see how to put ideas into action
5 is determined to succeed in their career
6 has lots of energy and often gets excited
7 is concerned with details and getting things right even if it takes time
8 likes to assess and evaluate
9 is able to change with new situations
10 is someone you can trust and depend on.

Reading : Women at work

A- Work in pairs. Read your article quickly and decide on a heading.

Student A: Read Article 1.
Student B:Read Article 2.
Article 1

Article 2

Decide if the statements about your article are true or false .

Article 1
1 The position of women in Vietnam has improved.

true

false

2 Women make up less than half of the workforce in the service, agricultural, fisheries, industry and construction sectors.

True

False

3 Nearly 25% of Vietnamese companies are run by women.

True

False

4 More than a third of all university graduates and holders of Master's degrees are women.

True

False

5 Nguyen Thu Hang lets her husband make important decisions.

True

False

6 Nguyen Thu Hang's position with regard to decision-making is different to that of her mother.

True

False

Article 2

Article 2

7 Men on their own make a third of car purchases in Japan.

True

False

8 Women prefer to buy cars from women.

True

False

9 Since 2004, Nissan has more than doubled recruitment of female engineering graduates and saleswomen.

True

False

10 The number of female managers at Nissan has increased to 50%.

True

False

11 Women make up 5% of managers in the Japanese car industry.

True

False

12 Nowadays, men and women are attracted by pictures of families enjoying themselves in a car.

True

False

In pairs, compare the position of women in Articles 1 and 2.

D- 'The role of women in business is no longer a n issue: Discuss to what extent this is true in your country.

Listening : Finding a job

Finding a job

A - Carys Owen is a director at Hays, the international recruitment specialist. Listen to the first part of the interview and answer the question.

In what ways does a Hays consultant work with a candidate?

B- Listen to the second part. What are the three key points that Carys makes about preparing for an interview?

C- Listen again and complete the gaps.

From the point of view of the actual vacancy, we would always I that you look at the within that vacancy and have a think about where in your you might be able to your ability to do that job.

D

Listen to the final part of the interview and answer the questions.

1 Whal two recent changes has Carys noticed in the job market?
2 In what way does one of the changes give candidates and employees a unique opportunity'?

E- If you had to change your job, what method would you use to find a new one?

LANGUAGE REVIEW :-ing forms and infinitives

• We sometimes use one verb after another verb. Often the second verb is in the infinitive.
We can't afford to increase their pay.
He intends to sign the new contract next week.
• Sometimes the second verb must be in the ·ing form. This depends o n the first verb.
My job involves monitoring sickness levels.
• Some verbs can be followed by the ·ing form or the infinitive without a big change in meaning.
I started working there last month. / I started to work there last month.
• With other verbs, however, the meaning changes.
We stopped to have lunch. ( We stopped what we were doing in order to have lunch.)
We stopped having lunch. ( We stopped our habit of having lunch.)
In each of the sentences, two of the verbs are possible and one is incorrect. Select the incorrect verb.

1 He . . . . . . . . . . . . to review our complaints procedures.

a) promised b) delayed c) wanted

2 I . . . . . . . . . . . improving interpersonal skills training.

a) undertook b) suggested c) recommended

3 I . . . . . . . . . . . to meet the HR Director.

a) decided b) didn't mind c) arranged

4 She . . . . . . . . . . . to check the redundancy arrangements.

a) refused b) failed c) put off

5 We . . . . . . . . . . . . to review our policy for anti· bullying in the workplace.

a) consider b) hope c) plan

Skills : Getting information on the telephone

Cindy Tan calls the Guangdong Trading Company (GTC) to get information about an advertisement in the China Post for the position of Marketing Assistant. listen to her talking to li Ping. a member of the Human Resources department. Tick the points about which she needs further information.

a) the closing date

b) what the duties would be

c) if there's an application form

d) when she would be expected to join the company

e) how many days' holiday she would get

f) what the starting salary would be

B

listen to the call again and complete the extracts .

Cindy : if you could give me a little more information.
Li Ping : Certainly, what do you need to know?
Cindy : Well. first of all, am I ?

Cindy : Just one o r two more questions when the successful candidate has to start work with you. I mean, if I get the job, will I be able to give my present employer sufficient notice?
Li Ping : OK, that's a good question. How much ?
Cindy : OK, so, I probably wouldn't
have to start working until February, and maybe even later?
Li Ping :
Cindy : One last question. Could I ask you ? It wasn't given in the advert.
Li Ping : You're right. It would depend on a lot of things: qualifications, experience,personal qualities, that sort of thing .
Cindy : you can't give me a figure?
Li Ping : That's right. The salary's .

Role-play this telephone situation in pairs, A department store will be hiring a number of temporary workers from Omnia Employment Agency. The Human Resources Manager calls the agency to discuss some of the terms and conditions of the contract. Read your role cards. then role-play the call.

Human Resources Manager:

Employment agency consultant:

Background

Fast Fitness owns and operates a chain of health and leisure clubs in the United States. Two years ago, the company decided to enter the South American market. It began by opening six clubs in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The clubs appeal mainly to people aged 20-40. All the clubs have a gymnasium, with the latest equipment, an aerobics studio, a swimming pool, sun decks, a cafe, bar and clubroom. Four of the clubs are located in areas where large numbers of Japanese, Spanish, Chinese
and Italian immigrants live.
The performance of the clubs has been disappointing, and none of them has reached their turnover and profit targets. Many members have not renewed their membership, and the clubs have not attracted enough new members. Fast Fitness recently advertised for a General Manager. His/Her main task will be to boost sales at the clubs and increase profits.

Task
You are directors of Fast Fitness.

1 Study the file cards on the four shortlisted candidates on the opposite page. Hold a meeting to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each person. Try to rank the four candidates in terms of their suitability for the job.
2 Listen to the interview extracts with each of the candidates and come to a final decision on who should get the job.

Sean Wilder

Paulo Goncalves

Martha Gomez

Silvia Cominelli

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