You’re going to meet with a friend that you haven’t seen since university.

Help your friend find a job.

IN THIS LESSON, YOU WILL

1. Catch up with your friend.
2. Listen to someone explain how your friend can get a job.
3. Give your friend advice on how to get a job at a certain company.

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

Match the sentences in the speech bubbles with the responses in the box.

a. No, no, I’m all ears!

b. Please don’t beat around the bush.

c. You just have to tell it like it is.

d. I think you should try to be less blunt.

e. Sure! Give me all the details!

 

1.

I told them that their service is really awful!

2.

Um, about the party, I’m not very sure… I think I may be busy then…

3.

My sister crashed her car again. I don’t know how I should tell my dad about it.

4.

I have something to say, but you might not be interested…

5.

I just had the most amazing day! Do you want to hear about it?

STEP B EXERCISE

Rephrase the sentences using the expressions in the box. The form of some expressions may need to be changed.

know the right person
get one’s foot in the door
have connections
catch up with someone
The name doesn’t ring a bell.
  1. He emailed his resumé to the company because he said it’s a good way to open future opportunities.
  2. Sorry, I’ve never heard of her before.
  3. You know, you and your best friend from high school should really talk about what’s new in each other’s lives once in a while.
  4. She always gets good deals because she knows many people in the industry.
  5. It’s really hard to get an interview with that company unless you know someone with influence.

MISSION

Challenge 1

It’s been years since you last saw your friend. Catch up with him/her. Be sure to:

  • Ask how your friend is.
  • Ask what your friend’s plans are.
  • Tell your friend that you know Mark Sanders, a general manager at Smith Pharmaceuticals.

Remember?

  • catch up with someone
  • I’m all ears!
  • Give me all the details!
  • have connections
  • The name doesn’t ring a bell.

Challenge 2

After meeting your old friend, you called Mark Sanders to ask for help. Listen to his advice on the job interview.

Remember?

  • know the right person
  • beat around the bush
  • tell it like it is
  • blunt
  • get one’s foot in the door

Challenge 3

Now you’ve secured an interview for your friend and gotten some good advice from Mark Sanders! Call your friend to tell him/her about the good news.

Interview Date:

July 08

Time:

9:00 a.m. (please arrive 30 minutes early)

Attire:

formal

Location:

Smith Pharmaceuticals headquarters

Remember?

  • beat around the bush
  • tell it like it is
  • blunt
  • get one’s foot in the door

FEEDBACK

Help your friend find a job.

MISSION ACHIEVEMENT

  • 4
    Very Good

    Could complete the task with ease

  • 3
    Good

    Could complete the task with some clarifications

  • 2
    Fair

    Could complete the task with additional instructions

  • 1
    Poor

    Could somehow complete the task with difficulty

PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK