Part Ⅰ Situational Dialogues

Practice 1

Task 2: Simulated situational conversation.

（A: Alice, R:Richard ）

R: Good morning, ABC Company. What can I do for you?

A: Hi, my name is Alice. I am calling to see if the administrative assistant position has been filled?

R: No, it is still open. How did you learn about this position?

A: I noticed you had a help wanted sign on the internet. I am interested in this position.

R: Yes, the application will be accepted for this position until Friday. Do you have any work experience as an administrative assistant?

A: Yes, I've got three years' experience in a foreign-funded company. I really look forward to an interview so you can know me better.

R: If you are interested in this position, please send your resume.

A: I will send my resume immediately.

R: OK, we will process all the applications soon. As soon as we have decided on the candidates to be interviewed, I will inform you to attend an interview. So could you let me have your phone number, Miss Alice?

A: Certainly, my phone number is 8233999. I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Practice 2

Task 2: Simulated situational conversation.

Linda: Good morning, sir, my name is Linda.

Jack: Good morning. Have a seat, please.

Linda: Thank you. I received your call yesterday. You told me to come this morning for an interview.

Jack: Yes, so you are Miss Linda, one of the applicants for a secretary. Now we do have a vacancy. May I have a look of your references and other certificates?

Linda: Yes, here you are.

Jack: OK, I am quite satisfied with your qualifications. Our company is in need of a secretary to be in charge of English documents. Since you have had nearly four years' study of English at university, I consider you are the right girl for the post. Are you still studying at university?

Linda: Yes, but I am graduating in early July. In fact, I'm writing the graduation paper at the moment.

Jack: That means you can come to work in the middle of July if I hire you.

Linda: Right.

Jack: Of course I will have to put you on six months' probation first. Another thing, I hope you can carry on the daily routine even if the office director is on leave or absent. Do you think you can do that?

Linda: I am sure I can do it well. I will try my best.

Jack: You can expect to get 3，500 RMB per month for your salary. In six months' time your salary would be adjusted. Naturally, at the end of each year you can get the bonus. If you are satisfied with the conditions here, please sign this contract and give it to me.

Linda: Thank you. When do you expect me to start my work, then?

Jack: Let me see. You can start on July 10. Is it all right?

Linda: Yes, I am sure I will enjoy working here.

Jack: I hope so. Goodbye.

Practice 3

Task 2: Simulated situational conversation.

Mr.Wang: Mr. Lin, we have decided to hire you. How much do you expect to get a monthly salary?

Mr.Lin: I am making 3,500 yuan a month at my present work. I should not, of course, make a change for less. Could you provide me with a monthly salary of 4,000 yuan?

Mr.Wang: I don't think we can give you that much as the starting salary.

Mr.Lin: You know, Mr.Wang, the starting salary is not high based on my present skills and experience.

Mr.Wang: Maybe, but there are many fringe benefits here.

Mr.Lin: What are they?

Mr.Wang: Besides your take-home pay, we offer a benefit package including paid annual leave, thirteen months salary, five insurances and housing fund, travel allowance and insurance and annual bonus.

Mr.Lin: That sounds nice. I will follow whatever rules you have here.

Mr.Wang: We will accept you for a three months' period of probation.

Mr.Lin: Thank you. I will try my best.

Part Ⅲ Workplace Practice

Ⅰ. Complete the following dialogue.

Linda: Welcome, Steve. I am in charge of sales in the notebook division. My name is Linda.

Steve: It is a pleasure to meet you, Linda.

Linda: Glad to see you,too. We have received your application. I would like to ask you a few questions.

Steve: Yes, please.

Linda: To start with, tell me about your education, please.

Steve: All right. I graduated from Shanghai Institute of Foreign Trade three years ago. I majored in international trade.

Linda: Have you worked in this field?

Steve: Yes. After my graduation from university, I worked as an export business representative in a private enterprise, and then I transferred to a joint venture as a foreign trade manager.

Linda: Why have you decided to leave your present job?

Steve : Because I want to get a more challenging opportunity at a foreign capital company.

Linda: Have you travelled a lot in your work?

Steve：Yes, I have travelled dozens of times abroad. I have been to such countries as Thailand, Japan, Denmark and England to do business.

Linda: Why do you think you are qualified for this position?

Steve: I have excellent communication skills and I am a team player and have great interpersonal skills. Besides, I have 2 years' experience as a salesman, and I have already had quite a few customers overseas. I can not only speak English fluently, but can speak a little Japanese. I believe that I will establish more business ties for your company.

Linda: What do you know about our company?

Steve：This company is one of the biggest foreign capital companies in the world. There are lots of branches in all parts of the world with the head office in America.

Linda: What are your salary expectations?

Steve: I expect to get 1.5% commission on my sales except the basic salary.

Linda: We will consider it.

Steve：What fringe benefits do you offer to your employees?

Linda: Well, in addition to paid holidays, we also afford five insurance and one fund.But sometimes you have to travel on business. Can you do it?

Steve: No problem.

Linda: Good. You are hired. Please report to the personnel office tomorrow.

Steve: Thank you.

Ⅱ. Translate the following dialogue into English.

A: May I come in?

B: Yes, please.

B: How are you doing, sir? My name is Wang Li. I am coming to your company for an interview as requested .

A: Fine, thank you for coming, Miss Wang. Please take a seat. I am John Smith, the assistant manager.

B: Nice to see you, Mr. Smith.

A: Nice to meet you, too. From reviewing your resume, I can see that you performed excellently in school. What I want to know is why you think you're qualified for this job.

B: My education background and professional experience made me qualified for the job. Those are just what you need.

A: How are your typing and shorthand skills?

B: I type 100 words a minute, and can make dictation at 80 words a minute.

A: Can you operate the office software?

B: Yes, I can operate all kinds of common office software, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

A: Oh, very good. But you know that we are looking for a bilingual secretary. So this position requires applicants to have good command of English. Then how do you think of your English?

B: I have learned English for 7 years, and I have passed CET-4 and CET-6. I believe my spoken English is fairly good enough to communicate with a native English speaker.

A: Do you have any secretarial experience?

B: Yes, I do. I have worked for a joint venture as a secretary for the past two years.

A: What did you do there?

B: I arranged appointments, took phone calls, dealt with orders and other office work.

A: What kind of office machine can you operate?

B: I can operate a telex machine, the photocopier and fax machine.

A: Well, that's all for the interview. Thank you for your interest in this job.

B: You are welcome. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to interview me. When can I contact you about your final decision?

A: We need to consider several other applicants and we hope to make a decision by the end of this month. We will call you regardless of whether you are hired or not.

B: Thanks a lot! I look forward to the good news. Goodbye.

A: Goodbye.

Ⅲ. Make a short speech (3 minutes).

Hello, everyone! Today, I want to tell you something about how to answer questions in an interview.

An interview is a question and answer process. Good answers will shortly bring you an advantage and the possibility of getting your ideal job. Here are the good answers to some of the tough questions. One, what is important to you in a job? Mention specific rewards other than the paycheck. For example, challenge, the feeling of accomplishment, and knowing that you have made a contribution. Two, why do you want to work for this organization? Cite its reputation, the opportunities it offers, and the working conditions. Stress that you want to work for this organization, not just any organization. Three, why should we employ you? Point to your academic qualifications, job skills, and enthusiasm about working for the organization. Mention your performance in school or previous employment as evidence of your ability to learn. If the job involves management responsibilities, refer to past activities as proof of your ability to get along with others and to work as part of a team. Four, what are your greatest strengths? Give a response like one of the following: “I can see what needs to be done and do it”, “I'm willing to make decisions”,“ I can organize my time efficiently.” Five, what are your greatest weakness? Identify one or two, such as the following:“I tend to drive myself too hard”, “I expect others to perform beyond their capacities”. Note these weaknesses could also be regarded as desirable qualities. The trick with this question is to describe a weakness so that it could also be considered a virtue. Six, what are your salary expectations? You must have a clear idea of the market price of the person like you. And moreover, what the organization usually pays for the position and someone like you? Never fight a battle without preparation. If your expectation sounds reasonable, they would probably try to meet your price.

Ⅳ. Make a workplace interpretation (3 minutes).

A: Your resume shows that you have worked at your previous company for two years.

B: 是的，从我毕业时起就一直在那里工作。

A: What kind of work were you mainly responsible for?

B： 我的上一份工作是行政秘书。我有各种各样的工作任务，包括与高级主管沟通，安排会议，接电话，发信件，打文件，协调出差安排等其他行政工作。

A: But why do you give up your previous job and choose to work here?

B: 我喜欢那份工作，但是那家公司太小了，我无法得到提升。

A: Do you know how to use computer to process information on management?

B: 很遗憾，我对处理管理信息不太熟悉。不过，我相信我很快就会学会，因为我在大学学过相关的课程。

A: If you are employed by our company, when could you begin to work formally?

B: 我想七月上旬我就能正式上班了。

A: Well, we will give you three months' probation to see if you fit the work. Moreover, we will offer you RMB 3,000 yuan a month plus room and board during probation. Would you agree to these arrangements?

B: 我完全同意你的安排。

A: OK, it is settled. We will notify you of the news that you are hired by mail next week. Then, you could come here and report to me.

B: 谢谢你，史密斯先生，再见！