What Can Help You to Overcome Problems of Separation in Crosscultural Interaction

 

1. According to Dr. Leonard Zunin during the first four minutes together people decide whether or not they want to become friends:'Every time you meet someone in a social situation, give him your undivided attention for four minutes.A lot of people's whole lives would change if they did just that».

When we are introduced to new people, the author suggests, we should try to appear friendly and self-confident(l). In general,'people like people who are like themselves'. On the other hand, we should not make the other person think we are too sure of ourselves(2).It is important to appear interested and sympathetic, realise that the other person has his own needs,fears and hopes(3). That is not the time to complain about one's health or mention faults one finds in other people (4). It is not the time to tell the whole truth about one's opinions and impressions (5).

These first four minutes together should be treated with care. If there are unpleasant matters to be discussed they should be dealt with care (6).

2. Studying a foreign language can help you to overcome problems of separation in international business. First, it gives one a skill to practical use when travelling, reading or working at a job that requires translating. Such a situation may happen to you. If you went to Britain, for example, you would want to be able to order food and read signs.

Second, it introduces you to another culture — not just to external customs but also to the forms a culture thinks in. The structure of language and the way it names things reveal much about national character. Language mistakes can cause problems when we're doing business with people from other countries. But communication can also break down when we misunderstand the way another culture works.

The third thing language study does for you is improving your logical thought processes. As in a few other kinds of study (math, logic or computer science), it gives your brain invaluable exercise in analysis and classification, permanently changing the very way you think.

The fourth benefit naturally follows — unproved ability in English grammar and in learning other languages in the future. Obviously, then, everybody should sign up at once for a language of his or her choice. The world is ready to applaud your joining the «international set».

10. Discuss:

1. What are the six rules that a businessman should keep in mind when he meets someone in a social situation?

2. Which of the rules do you find especially useful?

3. Which of the rules do you follow?

4. What other rules could you offer?

5. What are the four benefits of foreign language learning?

6. Which of them do you think is the most important?

7. What other benefits of language learning can you add?

 

UNIT 16

EMPLOYMENT

Job Interview

n Imagine you are the boss and are interviewing a candidate. Decide what characteristics you would like your employee to possess and those you would not.

n Choose the characteristics that are true about yourself and draw your professional portrayal.

n With the help of the list make up a professional portrait of your partner.

n Single out the properties that you think a true professional must possess. Do you know any people with such a set of professional traits?

 

2. Prepare a 8-10-minute talk describing your professional characteristics. Think of examples from past jobs, schoolwork, and activities to illustrate important skills. As a starting point, try to respond aloud to the following:

n How would you describe yourself?

n What did you like most about your last job?

n What types of courses do you enjoy most?

n Why should I select you over other applicants?

n What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

n What are your hobbies?

n Tell me more about the project you described on your resume?

n Describe a work or school-related problem and how you solved it?

n Tell me about a time you worked as part of a team?

n What are your short-term goals?

n Why do you want to work in this occupation and for this company?

 

n Examples of tricky questions

n Tell me about yourself.

n Why did you leave your last job?

n What do co-workers say about you?

n Why do you want to work for us?

n What salary do you expect?

n Why should we hire you?

n What irritates you about your co-workers?

n Tell me about your dream job.

n Do you have any questions you would like to ask me?