Idioms at Work-3rd Meeting English 3

8/12/2019 Idioms at Work-3rd Meeting English 3

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Idioms at workEnglish 33rd meeting


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A penny


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The crops


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plums


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A fiddle


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Sheep and goat


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Peanuts


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trade


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rope


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something that you say in order to

ask someone who is being veryquiet what they are thinking about

For several minutes they sat silently,then finally she looked at him and said,A penny for your thoughts, Walter.

A penny for your thought


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the best of a particulargroup

These artists are the best of

this year's graduates - thecream of the crop.

The cream of the crops


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A very good job

Hes so lucky to get a

plum job at Google.

A plum job


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to be in a subordinate position to someone.

I'm tired of playing second fiddle to John.I'm bettertrained than he, and I have more experience. Ishouldn't always play second fiddle.

Play second fiddle


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someone who does a lot of work in the type ofjob where they are not often seen by the public(often plural)

Editors are very much the backroom boys of the film

world.

A backroom boy


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to choose the people or things of high qualityfrom a group of mixed quality

I'll look through the application forms and separatethe sheep from the goats.

Separate the sheep fromthe goat


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do not pay very much

Paid peanuts


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to understand how to do a particular job oractivity

It'll take some time for the new receptionist to learnthe ropes.

Learn the ropes


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special skills and knowledge associated withany trade or profession.

I learned the tricks of the trade from my uncle.

The tricks of the trade


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(to do something) forced by a sense of duty andhonor to do something.

No one made me say that. I was duty bound.

Duty bound


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p. 161


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Arrange thewords into good

sentences


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1. about-me-tell-yourself


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2. the-thing-

school-whats-learned-

important-in-most-you-?


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3. do-spare-what-time-do-

your-you-in-?


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4. have-the-what-year-done-

past-in-you-?


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5. about-you-tell-conflict-resolved-

time-me-a-a-?


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6. describe-you-decision-time-make-quick-

when-had-a-to-a


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7. do-working-what-project-

position-on-you-when-a-prefer?


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8. motivates-best-job-what-

the-you-your-on-do-to-?


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9. would-work-why-like-here-to-

you-?


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10. any-for-do-questions-have-

me-you-?


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Job Interview


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It is important that you

introduce yourself, shakehands, and be friendly andpolite.

The first question is often a"breaking the ice" (establish a

rapport) type of question.

First Impressions


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Interviewer:How are you today?

You:I'm fine, thank you. And you?

OR Interviewer:Did you have any trouble finding us?

You:No, the office isn't too difficult to find.

OR

Interviewer:Isn't this great weather we're having?

You:Yes, it's wonderful. I love this time of year.

First Impression: Correctresponses

I i H d ?


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Interviewer: How are you today?

You: So, so. I'm rather nervous actually.

OR

Interviewer:Did you have any trouble finding us? You:As a matter of fact it was very difficult. I missed the

exit and had to return via the highway. I was afraid I wasgoing to be late for the interview.

OR Interviewer:Isn't this great weather we're having?

You:Yes, it's wonderful. I can remember this time last year.Wasn't it awful! I thought it would never stop raining!

First Impression: Incorrectresponses

Interviewer: Tell me about yourself


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Interviewer:Tell me about yourself.

Candidate:I was born and raised in Milan, Italy. I attended theUniversity of Milan and received my master's degree inEconomics. I have worked for 12 years as a financial consultant inMilan for various companies including Rossi Consultants, QuasarInsurance and Sardi and Sons. I enjoy playing tennis in my freetime and learning languages.

Candidate:I've just graduated from the University of Singaporewith a degree in Computers. During the summers, I worked as asystems administrator for a small company to help pay for my

education. Comment:This question is meant as an introduction. Do not focus too

specifically on any one area. The above question will often be used to helpthe interviewer choose what h/she would like to ask next. While it isimportant to give an overall impression of who you are, make sure to

concentrate on work related experience. Work related experienceshould alwaysbe the central focus of any interview (work experience ismore important than education in most English speaking countries).

Getting Down to Business


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Interviewer:What type of position are you lookingfor?Candidate:I'm interested in an entry level

(beginning) position.Candidate:I'm looking for a position in which I canutilize my experience.Candidate:I would like any position for which Iqualify.

Comment:You should be willing to take an entry levelposition in an English speaking company as most of thesecompanies expect non-nationals to begin with such a

position. In the United States, most companies provide

many opportunities for growth, so don't be afraid to startfrom the beginning!



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Interviewer:Are you interested in a full-time orpart-time position?Candidate:I am more interested in a full-timeposition. However, I would also consider a part-time position.

Comment:Make sure to leave open as manypossibilities as possible. Say you are willing to takeany job, once the job has been offered you can alwaysrefuse if the job does not appeal (not interest) to you.



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Interviewer:Can you tell me about your responsibilities at yourlast job?Candidate:I advised customers on financial matters. After Iconsulted the customer, I completed a customer inquiry form and

catalogued the information in our database. I then collaboratedwith colleagues to prepare the best possible package for the client.The clients were then presented with a summarized report ontheir financial activities that I formulated on a quarterly basis.

Comment:Notice the amount of detail necessary when you are talking

about your experience. One of the most common mistakes made byforeigners when discussing their former employment is to speak toogenerally. The employer wants to know exactly what you did and howyou did it; the more detail you can give the more the interviewer knowsthat you understand the type of work. Remember to vary yourvocabulary when talking about your responsibilities. Also, do not begin

every sentence with "I". Use the passive voice, or an introductory clauseto help you add variety to your presentation



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Interviewer:What is your greatest strength?Candidate:I work well under pressure. When there is a deadline (a time bywhich the work must be finished), I can focus on the task at hand (currentproject) and structure my work schedule well. I remember one week when I

had to get 6 new customer reports out by Friday at 5. I finished all thereports ahead of time without having to work overtime.

Candidate:I am an excellent communicator. People trust me and come to mefor advice. One afternoon, my colleague was involved with a troublesome(difficult) customer who felt he was not being served well. I made thecustomer a cup of coffee and invited both my colleague and the client to mydesk where we solved the problem together.

Candidate:I am a trouble shooter. When there was a problem at my last job,the manager would always ask me to solve it. Last summer, the LAN serverat work crashed. The manager was desperate and called me in (requested myhelp) to get the LAN back online. After taking a look at the daily backup, Idetected the problem and the LAN was up and running (working) within thehour.

Comment:This is not the time to be modest! Be confident and alwaysgive

examples. Examples show that you are not only repeating words you have learned,but actually do possess that strength.



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Interviewer:Why do you want to work for Smith andSons?Candidate: After following your firms progress for the

last 3 years, I am convinced that Smith and Sons arebecoming one of the market leaders and I would like tobe part of the team.

Candidate: I am impressed by the quality of your

products. I am sure that I would be a convincingsalesman because I truly believe that the Atomizer is the

best product on the market today.

Comment:Prepare yourself for this question by becoming

informed about the company. The more detail you can give, thebetter you show the interviewer that you understand thecompany.



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Interviewer: When can you begin?Candidate:Immediately.Candidate:As soon as you would like me to

begin.

Comment:Show your willingness to work!

http://esl.about.com/od/businessspeakingskills/a/j_interview2.ht

m


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Lets

practice!


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Interview tips for fresh graduates-part 1

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Idioms at Work-3rd Meeting English 3