BBC随身英语:Dancing for your supper 求饭碗需跳舞

Sometimes they ask difficult questions like: "Where do you see yourself in five years?" These days everything happens so fast that I can hardly think where I'll be even two years from now!

But I can count myself lucky. One man in Cardiff had to dance during his interview for a job as a shop assistant at an electronics superstore. He felt embarrassed, complained, and the story ended up in the newspapers. The company apologised and invited him to do a new interview. He declined.

Experts say that companies receive too many CVs nowadays and that their interview panels have too many candidates to talk to. So some are trying unorthodox ways to see who stands out.

Some interviewers might unsettle you by criticising your CV. Simon Mitchell, of leadership consultants DDI, says: "The interviewer will put you under pressure to see how you react. Once you see that it is what they are driving at, try to keep calm."

So: control your nerves, research the company you want to work for, think about specific examples of things you've achieved in previous organisations and be prepared to say something intelligent when confronted with the question: "What is your biggest fault?"

My friend Jamal came up with a great answer which he said worked for him: "I tend to be a workaholic."

My grandmother has some advice too. She says: "Tell them you are too giving and offer them some sweets from your bag. This will ensure you leave a lasting impression. They will think you're sweet and you'll get the job!"

What about you: would you follow Jamal's advice or my grandmother's?

Quiz 测验 1. What is the author's problem with job interviews?

Talking too much, losing their train of thought, and not knowing what to say when the interviewer asks about the author's future.

2. What role was the candidate in Cardiff applying for?

Shop assistant.

3. How should you react when interviewers unsettle you?

Keep calm.

4. What should you research about before going to a job interview?

Information about the company you want to work for.

5. According to Jamal's advice, when should you say you're a 'workaholic'?

When asked what your biggest fault is.

Glossary 词汇表 a job interview工作面试 prospective employer未来的雇主 train of thought思绪 to count (myself) lucky算我有运\气 embarrassed尴尬的 an interview panel面试小组 a candidate候选人 unorthodox非正统的，不寻常的 to stand out脱颖而出 to unsettle(令人) 感到不安 to drive at用意 fault缺点 a workaholic工作狂 giving给予，施舍 a lasting impression持久的印象