TPO 6
Conversation1
Narrator
Listen to a conversation between a studentand an employee in the university’s career services office.
Student
Hi, do you have a minute?
Employee
Sure, how can I help you?
Student
I have a couple of questions about the careerfair next week.
Employee
OK, shoot.
Student
Um ...well, are seniors the only ones who cango? I mean, you know, they are finishing school this year and getting theirdegrees and everything. And, well, it seems like businesses would wanna talk tothem and not first year students like me.
Employee
No, no, the career fair is opened to all ourstudents and we encourage anyone who’s interested to go check it out.
Student
Well, that’s good to know.
Employee
You’ve seen the flyers and posters aroundcampus, I assume.
Student
Sure, can’t miss them. I mean, they all saywhere and when the fair is, just not who should attend.
Employee
Actually they do, but it’s in the smallprint. Uh, we should probably make that part easier to reach, shouldn’t we?I’ll make a note of that right now. So, do you have any other questions?
Student
Yes, actually I do now. Um ...since I’d onlybe going to familiarize myself with the process, you know, check it out, I waswondering if there is anything youwould recommend that I do to prepare.
Employee
That’s actually a very good question. Well,as you know, the career fair is generally an opportunity for local businessesto recruit new employees, and for soon-to-be graduates to have interviews withseveral companies they might be interested in working for. Now, in your case,even though you wouldn’t be looking for employment right now, it still wouldn’thurt for you to prepare much like you would if you were looking for a job.
Student
You mean, like get my resume together andwear a suit?
Employee
That’s a given. I was thinking more along thelines of doing some research. The flyers and posters list all the businessesthat are sending representatives to the career fair. Um ...what’s your major ordo you to have one yet?
Student
Well, I haven’t declared a major yet, but I’mstrongly considering accounting. See, that’s part of the reason I wanna go tothe fair, to help me decide if that’s what I really want to study.
Employee
That’s very wise. Well, I suggest that youget on the computer and learn more about the accounting companies in particularthat would be attending. You can learn a lot about companies from theirinternet websites. Then prepare a list of questions.
Student
Questions, hmm… so, in a way, I’ll beinterviewing them?
Employee
That’s one way of looking at it. Think aboutit for a second. What do you want to know about working for an accounting firm?
Student
Well, there is the job itself, and salary ofcourse, and working conditions, I mean, would I have an office, or would I workin a big room with a zillion other employees, and…and maybe about opportunitiesfor advancement.
Employee
See? Those’re all important things to know.After you do some research, you’ll be able to tailor your questions to theparticular company you are talking to.
Student
Wow, I’m glad I came by here. So, it lookslike I’ve got some work to do.
Employee
And if you plan on attending future careerfairs, I recommend you sign up for one of our interview workshops.
Student
I’ll do that.
Conversation1
Narrator
Listen to a conversation between a studentand an employee in the university’s career services office.
Student
Hi, do you have a minute?
Employee
Sure, how can I help you?
Student
I have a couple of questions about the careerfair next week.
Employee
OK, shoot.
Student
Um ...well, are seniors the only ones who cango? I mean, you know, they are finishing school this year and getting theirdegrees and everything. And, well, it seems like businesses would wanna talk tothem and not first year students like me.
Employee
No, no, the career fair is opened to all ourstudents and we encourage anyone who’s interested to go check it out.
Student
Well, that’s good to know.
Employee
You’ve seen the flyers and posters aroundcampus, I assume.
Student
Sure, can’t miss them. I mean, they all saywhere and when the fair is, just not who should attend.
Employee
Actually they do, but it’s in the smallprint. Uh, we should probably make that part easier to reach, shouldn’t we?I’ll make a note of that right now. So, do you have any other questions?
Student
Yes, actually I do now. Um ...since I’d onlybe going to familiarize myself with the process, you know, check it out, I waswondering if there is anything youwould recommend that I do to prepare.
Employee
That’s actually a very good question. Well,as you know, the career fair is generally an opportunity for local businessesto recruit new employees, and for soon-to-be graduates to have interviews withseveral companies they might be interested in working for. Now, in your case,even though you wouldn’t be looking for employment right now, it still wouldn’thurt for you to prepare much like you would if you were looking for a job.
Student
You mean, like get my resume together andwear a suit?
Employee
That’s a given. I was thinking more along thelines of doing some research. The flyers and posters list all the businessesthat are sending representatives to the career fair. Um ...what’s your major ordo you to have one yet?
Student
Well, I haven’t declared a major yet, but I’mstrongly considering accounting. See, that’s part of the reason I wanna go tothe fair, to help me decide if that’s what I really want to study.
Employee
That’s very wise. Well, I suggest that youget on the computer and learn more about the accounting companies in particularthat would be attending. You can learn a lot about companies from theirinternet websites. Then prepare a list of questions.
Student
Questions, hmm… so, in a way, I’ll beinterviewing them?
Employee
That’s one way of looking at it. Think aboutit for a second. What do you want to know about working for an accounting firm?
Student
Well, there is the job itself, and salary ofcourse, and working conditions, I mean, would I have an office, or would I workin a big room with a zillion other employees, and…and maybe about opportunitiesfor advancement.
Employee
See? Those’re all important things to know.After you do some research, you’ll be able to tailor your questions to theparticular company you are talking to.
Student
Wow, I’m glad I came by here. So, it lookslike I’ve got some work to do.
Employee
And if you plan on attending future careerfairs, I recommend you sign up for one of our interview workshops.
Student
I’ll do that.
