Unit 10: In the U.S., is it better to stay with a company or to change jobs?

CUT 1

Eliz: Hello, again. We`re here with Gary Engleton, our business language expert. We have an e-mail question for you, Gary. The question is,"In the United States, is it better to stay with one company or to change jobs?
Gary: If you want to be an important executive in a large corporation, it is probably better to change companies at least once or twice. Large corporations hire at least half of their top executives from outside the company.
You should try to stay at each job for at least a year, however. Otherwise, it will look bad.
Eliz: Here`s another e-mail question: “What should I do if I want to change jobs?”
Gary: Well, the most important thing is to keep your skills up to date. This is especially important if you aren`t young anymore. It is unfortunate, but some employers may think that your knowledge is out of date. Take college classes in your field at night or on weekends or even on the Internet.
Eliz: Do you have any other advice?
Gary: Yes, stay in close contact with everyone you know in other companies. Send them friendly e-mails and cards. Ask them for advice and offer yours. Build up your network.
This network will be useful if you need their help to move to their company someday.
Eliz: Thank you, Gary. Let`s take a break.

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CUT 2

Eliz: A person in top management in a company is called______.(ding)(pause for answer)
Eliz: an executive. The person is called an executive.(short pause)
Eliz: Try to stay at each job for at least______.(ding)(pause for answer)
Eliz: a year. Try to stay at each job for at least a year.(short pause)
Eliz: If you want to get a new job, it is important to keep your skills _____.(ding)(Pause for answer)
Eliz: Up to date. Keep your skills up to date.

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CUT 3

Eliz: Today`s Business Dialog is about describing your job responsibilities. Sometimes it`s necessary to describe what you do at your job. Let`s listen to a group of business people at a training session. The trainer asks them to introduce themselves.
Trainer: Okay. Before we get started, let`s go around the table and introduce ourselves. My name is Rachel Jones and I`m a cultural sensitivity trainer. I train executives to understand cultural differences in the workplace. How about you, Dan?
Alvarez: My name is Dan Alvarez. I`m an accountant at Acme Accounting. I prepare tax documents for large and small businesses.
Walters: I`m Janine Walters. I`m a sales representative for Ace Department Stores. I handle sales for the Northeastern United States.
Potowski: My name is George Potowski. I`m general manager at Astro Electronics. We sell TVs, VCRs, radios, that sort of thing. I`m in charge of the sales personnel, and I make sure that our inventory is up to date.
Trainer: Thank you for those introductions.

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CUT 4


Eliz: Now let`s focus on how to describe your job responsibiliies. Eliz: I handle sales.(pause)
Eliz: I handle sales for the Northeastern United States.(pause for repeat)
Eliz: I prepare tax documents.(pause)
Eliz: I prepare tax documents for large and small businesses.(Pause for repeat)
Eliz: I`m in charge of the sales personnel.(pause)
Eliz: I`m in charge of the sales personnel, and I make sure that our inventory is up to date.(pause for repeat)

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CUT 5

Eliz: Welcome back. It`s time for Gary`s Tips. What`s your topics for today, Gary?
Gary: Today I`ll be talking about describing your job responsibilities. In many situations, you need to describe what you do in your job. In a job interview, for example, you need to be able to state two or three of your main responsibilities.
And when you meet other business people at a meeting, a trade show, or even at a party, they may ask what you do in your job.
You should be able to describe what you do in one or two sentences. Think of a clear way to describe what you do.


Let`s listen again to part of the Business Dialog. Listen for the expressions “I train,” and “I prepare.”


Trainer: My name is Rachel Jones and I`m a cultural sensitivity trainer. I train executives to understand cultural differences in the workplace. How about you, Dan?
Alvarez: My name is Dan Alvarez. I`m an accountant at Acme Accounting. I prepare tax documents for large and small businesses.
Gary: Let`s listen to some more of the Business Dialog. This time, listen to the phrases, “I handle,” and “I`m in charge of.”


Walters: I`m Janine Walters. I`m a sales representative for Ace Department Stores. I handle sales for the Northeastern United States.


Protowski: My name is George Potowski. I`m general manager at Astro Electronics. We sell TVs, VCRs, radios, that sort of thing. I`m in charge of the sales personnel, and I make sure that our inventory is up to date.


Gary: We just heard people describing what they do in their jobs. Try writing down what you do in your work. Then think of one or two sentences that clearly describe what you do and practice saying them. Well, that`s all we have time for today. I hope today`s tips were helpful!
Eliz: Thanks, Gary.

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