VOCABULARY: EMPLOYING THE RIGHT PEOPLE

1 Complete the text with the missing words. The beginning of each word is given.
The recruitment process usually begins when the employer advertises a (1) vacany or a new post –
sometimes both inside and outside the company. Once they have received all the (2) applications forms,
they study and discuss them in order to select those which meet their requirements. Next, they will
assemble an interview (3) panel and call the few candidates they have (4) shortlist to an interview. The
employer will also need to check (5) references either before or after the interviewing stage. Finally, the
employer will make a job (6) offer to the successful candidate, who then starts work, sometimes after a
(7) probationary period of three or six months. In many companies, the new recruit will attend induction
sessions or be given a mentor who is responsible for (8) training new staff. After that, the recruit can be
offered a (9) permanent post.

2 Choose the correct words from the box to complete the definitions.
adaptable / ambitious / authoritative / enthusiastic / methodical / reliable

10 An authoritative person behaves or speaks in a confident way that makes people respect
and obey them.

11 If you are methodical, you do things carefully, using an ordered system.

12 An adaptable person is able to change in order to be successful in new and different

situations.

13 If you are enthusiastic, you feel or show a lot of interest and excitement about things.

14 A reliable person can be trusted or depended on.

15 If you are ambitious, you are determined to be very successful in your career.

LANGUAGE REVIEW: -ING FORMS AND INFINITIVES

3 Using the correct form of the verb in brackets, complete the second sentence so that it has a
similar meaning to the first. Write either two or three words as appropriate in each space.
For example:
We haven’t got enough money to give everyone a bonus. (afford)
We can’t afford to give everyone a bonus.

16 Using the cheapest form of transport doesn’t bother me. (mind)

I don’t mind using the cheapest form of transport.

17 If I don’t improve my performance, there’s a danger I’ll lose my job. (risk)

If I don’t improve my performance, I’ll risk loosing my job.

18 I’m not sure, but I think there is a problem with the redundancy arrangements. (seem)

There seems to be a problem with the redundancy arrangements.

19 In my job I have to travel abroad two or three times a year. (involve)

My job involves traveling abroad two or three times a year.

20 We’ll review our complaints procedures. (promise)

We (will?) promise to review our complaints procedures.

21 Our plan is to invest in new staff training programmes. (intend)

We intend to invest in new staff training programmes.

22 Attach the references they requested – don’t forget, will you? (remember)

Please remember to attach the references they requested.

23 I didn’t anticipate having to take a psychometric test. (expect)

I didn’t expect to take/expect to have to take/ expect have taken a psychometric test.

24 We will definitely introduce a strict anti-bullying policy. (undertake)

We (will?) undertake to introduce a strict anti-bullying policy.

25 ‘What if we increased the kitchen staff’s pay?’, said Leila. (suggest)

Leila suggested increasing the kitchen staff’s pay.

SKILLS: GETTING INFORMATION ON THE TELEPHONE

4 Complete this telephone conversation with the expressions from the box.
Are you saying / I’m calling about / I think that’s all / don’t worry / I was wondering
A: Good afternoon, my name’s Rosario Martinelli. (26) I’m calling about your advertisement for the
post of website designer. It appeared in last week’s Brookfield Echo. (27) I was wondering if you could
give me a little more information.

B: Certainly, what do you need to know?

A: Well, first of all, am I still in time to apply? I was away for almost a week and I only saw the advert
this morning. So, I was thinking, maybe I’ve missed the deadline…

B: No, (28) don’t worry, you’re not too late. In fact, the closing date for application is this Friday, but
you can complete the application form online.

A: (29) Are you saying that I can e-mail it to you?

B: That’s correct. So that gives you one more day.

A: That’s great. I’ll complete it right away and e-mail it to you later today.

B: Good, I look forward to getting it.

A: Erm, there’s just one more thing I’d like to check. When is the successful candidate expected to start?

B: The starting date is September but could be negotiated if it was a problem.

A: That sounds good. Well, (30) / I think that’s all I needed to know. Thank you very much for your
help.

B: You are very welcome. And good luck!

A: Thank you.