160 PARTONE Ten steps to College Reading Questions about the Reading Vocabulary in Context as 1, In the sentences below, the word atti ‘A, motes. (e-tir') means B. answers. c. clothing. . posture. ; oo 1) impress the Interviewer.» «- As the old say {or woman).” (Paragraph 4) “Business attire wil goes, the clothes make the man the sentence below, the word play (ploi) means __ 2b A. question. 3B. mistake. c. approach. D. wish. "A good ploy is to admit to a sweakness’ that employers mig dmit to being 2 workaholic or actually like—for example, a perfectionist.” (Paragraph 10) ____ 3, Inthe sentences below, the word badmouth (bid'mouth’) means A. answer. 3. cxiticize. c. recognize. >. “According to the experts, neve “Why did you leave your last job?” , question. If you were fired, talk badmouth anyone when asked this about personality conflicts, but without blaming anyone.” (Paragraph 11) Central Point and Main Ideas 4. Which statement best expresses the central point of the selection? A; Interviewers may ask some difficult and highly personal questions. b. When going to an interview, dress in business clothing, mental} , go over your application or resumé, and go in with a positiv » a attitude, c. There are several things you can do to make yourself stand out inj. positive way at job interviews. p. Employers may ask you why you left your last job.ane SCARS: SOD inlerviews, like tinal eXams, Can Cause Seu eg, stomachs. You may feel that interviews are even worse than finals since you can’t prepare for them. In the selection below, however, the author explains that there is much you can do to get ready for job interviews. You can make yourself stand out from the crowd of other applicants. Read the selection and then answer the questions that follow. You'll find questions on vocabulary in context and main ideas as well as on supporting details. Words to Watch Below are some words in the reading that do not have strong context support. Each word is followed by the number of the paragraph in which it appears and its meaning there. These words are indicated in the selection by a small circle (°). personable (1): friendly conservative (4): traditional ‘flustered (5); nervously confused potential (14): possible WINNING THE JOB INTERVIEW GAME Marcia Prentergast 1 Few things in everyday life are all sorts of questions. The questions dreaded more than going to a job _are highly personal, or confusing, or interview. First you have to wait in both. “What are your strengths and an outer room, which may be filled weaknesses?” “Where do you see with other people all applying for yourself in five years?” The interview the same job you want. You look at —_ may take twenty minutes, but it may them and they look at you. Everyone seem like two hours. Finally, when knows that only one person is going _ you're done, you get to go home and to get the job. Then you are called — waita week or so to find out if you got into the interviewer's office, where the job. you have to sit in front of a complete The job-interview “game” may 2 stranger. You have to try to act cool __ not be much fun, but it is a game you and personable° while you are asked —_can win if you play it right. The namePART ONE. Ten Steps to Callege Reading of the game Is standing out from the crowd—in a positive way. If you go to the interview in a Bozo the Clown suit, ‘you may stand out from the crowd, all right, but not ina way that is likely to get you hired. 3 A few basic hints can help you play the interview game to win: 41. Dress like you're in charge. That means wearing business clothing: usually a suit and tie ora conservative” dress or suit, Don't dress casually or sloppily, but don’t overdress— remember, you're going toa business meeting, not a social affair. Business attire will impress the interviewer, More than that, it will actualy help you to feel more businesslike, more 4, Be prepared. Certain questio in charge. As the old saying goes, the come up regularly in job interview clothes make the man (orwoman). _Yoy should plan forall these questio in advance! Here are comme questions, what they really mean, ar how to answer them: wants to discuss the weather, let's sé by all means do so fora little bit. 5 2. Plan to arrive early. This will keep you from getting hurried and flustered’, and also help you avoid the disaster of being late. Give yourself a Tell me about yourself.” Th few minutes to catch your breath and question is raised to see how organize ‘mentally go over your application or youare. Ifyou give a wandering, aimles resumé. answer, the interviewer may put yo 6 3. Expect to do some small talk — downasa scatterbrain. You might tal first. Knowing what to expect can _ brieflyabout where you were born an put you ahead of the game. When raised, where your family lives now the interviewer calls you in, you will where you went to school, what job probably spend a minute or so in you've had, and how you happen t small talk before getting down to — be here now looking for the challeng the actual interview questions. This _ ofanew/job, You should have planne: small talk is a good time to make a and rehearsed your answer, so you ca positive impression, though. Follow present this basic information abot the interviewer's lead, and ifhe or she yourself quickly and smoothly.OC ———————— << ea i i-=—— 10 u" 2 This question can also give you a chance to show that you're right for the job. If you're applying for a sales Job, for example, you might want to point out that you like being around people. © "What are your weaknesses?” ‘This question is asked to put you off your guard, perhaps making you reveal ‘things you might not want to. A good ploy is to admit to a “weakness” that employers might actually like—for example, admit to being a workaholic ora perfectionist. * "Why did you leave your last job?” This can be a “killer” question, especially if you were fired, or if you quit because you hated your boss. According to the experts, never badmouth anyone when asked this question. f you were fired, talk about personality conflicts, but without blaming anyone. If you hated your boss, say you quit for some other teason—to find a position with more growth opportunities, for example. ‘© “Why did you apply for this job?” This question is really asking how eager an employee you will be. The simple answer might be “I need the money'—but that is not what job interviewers and employers want to hear. They want employees who will CHAPTERS Supporting Details ‘work hard and stay with the company. So be honest, but give a suitable response. You might say that this Is the sort of workyou'vealways wanted to do,or that you see this company as the kind of place where you would like to create a career. Other typical questions are pure softball—if you're ready. If you are asked, “Are you creative?" or”Are you a leader?" give some examples to show that you are. For instance, you may want to discuss your organizational role in one of your college clubs. Perhaps you helped recruit new members or came up with ideas to increase attendance at events. If you are asked, “What are your greatest strengths?” be ready to talk about your abilities that fit the [Link] you'll mention your ability to learn quickly, your talent for working with others, your skill with organizing time efficiently, or your ability to solve problems. No amount of preparation is ever going to make job interviews your favorite activity. But if you go in well- prepared and with a positive attitude, your potential? employer can’t help but think highly of you. And the day will come when you will be the one who wins the job, 8 4 159161 CHAPTER'S Supporting Detals _____ 5. Which sentence best expresses the main idea of paragraph ? A. First sentence B, Second sentence c. Third sentence D. Last sentence Supporting Details ___ 6, According to the author, some advantages of interview are A. you will not be flustered or late, and you "IL have time application or resumé. i . you will have time for small c. you will have time to see all job. p. you will have time to check your appearance and to speak to the interviewer's secretary. arriving early to an to review your talk with the interviewer. the other people applying for the same ig the Job Interview Game” 7-10. Complete the following outline of “Winnin| minor details, by filling in the main idea and the missing major and which are listed below in random order. Items Missing from the Outline © Tell me about yourself. © There are ways to'do well at @ What are your greatest strengths? @ Plan to arrive at the interview a few minutes early. job interviews. Main idea: 1. To look like you're in charge, 2. 3. Expect to do some 4, Be prepared to answer certain qué interviews. dress in business clothing. small talk at the beginning of the interview. stions that are often asked in job a. b, What are your weaknesses? ¢. Why did you leave your last job? 4d. Why did you apply for this job? e. Are you creative? f, Are you a leader? &