Handout 3.3.

Firnandos First Interview

A fortnight ago Firnando wrote to the Eastern Travel Enterprise to apply for a job as a booking
clerk. The company wrote back to him asking him to attend an interview. He is now sitting outside the
managers office, waiting to be called in. He is smartly dressed with his newly cut hair neatly combed. He
is feeling a little nervous as this is his first job interview. Ten minutes pass by.

Receptionist : MrFirnando!
Firnando : Here, miss.
Receptionist : Would you go into the managers room now, please.
Firnando : Thank you.

The receptionist opens the door for him.

Firnando : Thank you. Good morning, sir.
Manager : Good morning. And you are .
Firnando : Firnando, sir.
Manager : Would you like to sit down over here, Mr.Firnando?
Firnando : Thank you.
Manager : Well now, lets see. (He looks at Firnandos letter of application on his table.)
You seem to have done very well in your School Certificate examination. Two
distinctions and three credits. M..m..m. Excellent. Youre very good at languages, too.
Firnando : I can read, write and speak English, Mandarin and Malay, sir. I can also speak
Cantonese and Hokkien.
Manager : Wonderful. Do you have any working experience?
Firnando : A little, sir. For the last four months, since I left school, Ive been working in my
uncles company as a general clerk. I also handled customers calls over the phone. Its
an import-export firm.
Manager : I see. So youve learnt to deal with people.
Firnando : Yes, sir.
Manager : Good. Now, why do you want to join us?
Firnando : Im very interested in the tourist business and Im very keen to meet people from
different countries and different walks of life. I think it would be exciting and
challenging to work for your company. I know your firm is the largest of its kind in the
country and has a very good name in the travel line.
Manager : I see youve studied the background of my company before you came. Thats good. In
this line, one would have to travel now and then.
Firnando : Yes, I like travelling, sir.
Manager : Well, thank you very much for coming to see us, Mr. Firnando. Youll be hearing from
us within the next few days.
Firnando : Thank you. Goodbye, sir.

Source:
Ong, J; Hoo, K & F.H. &. F.H. Looh. 1977. Reading and Understanding. Book 4. Pan Pacific. PTE Book
Distribution (S) PTE. Ltd.

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TASK:

Study each of the questions below and identify the question type, readingsub-skills, and question level.

Comprehension
A. Choose the correct answer

1. Firnando has applied for the post of ..

a. a salesman c. a booking clerk
b. an office assistant d. a general clerk ( )

Question types Reading sub-skills Question level

Multiple choice

2. He is waiting for an interview ..

a. in the managers office c. outside the managers office
b. at the receptionists desk d. outside the companys office ( )

Question types Reading sub-skills Question level

3. As this is his first job interview, he is ..

a. very happy c. very nervous
c. very frightened d. a little nervous ( )

Question types Reading sub-skills Question level

4. Firnando can read, write and speak ..

a. only one language c. three languages
b. two languages d. five languages ( )

Question types Reading sub-skills Question level

5. After Firnando left school, he ..

a. was jobless
b. learnt to speak Cantonese and Hokkien
c. worked in his uncles import-export company
d. worked in his uncles accounting company ( )

Question types Reading sub-skills Question level

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 6. Firnando says that he knows the Eastern Travel Enterprise is ..
a. not very well-known
b. small but well-known
c. the largest in the Southeast Asia and has a very good reputation
d. the largest in the country and has a very good reputation ( )

Question types Reading sub-skills Question level

B. Answer the following questions in complete sentences

1. When Firnando wrote to the Eastern Travel Enterprise, what was the companys reply?

Question types Reading sub-skills Question level

2. Why isFirnandosmartly dressed?

Question types Reading sub-skills Question level

3. Which words show that Firnando has just had his hair cut before attending the interview?

Question types Reading sub-skills Question level

4. How long doesFirnandohave to wait before being called in for the interview?

Question types Reading sub-skills Question level

5. Where is the interview conducted?

Question types Reading sub-skills Question level

6. How does the manager know that Firnando has done well in his School Certificate examination?

Question types Reading sub-skills Question level

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 7. How many Chinese dialects canFirnandospeak?

Question types Reading sub-skills Question level

8. What working experiences doesFirnandohave?

Question types Reading sub-skills Question level

9. Give two reasons whyFirnando wants to work for the Eastern Travel Enterprise.

Question types Reading sub-skills Question level

10. What has Firnando to say about travelling?

Question types Reading sub-skills Question level

C. Choose the correct meaning for each of the words or phrases as used in the passage.

1. A fortnight ago means .. ago.

a. a month b. a week c. a few days d. two weeks

2. A receptionist is a person who .. work.

a. types letters for the manager c. receives visitors to a shop or an office
b. sells goods in a shop d. receives cash and cheques

3. Distinctions are given for ..

a. outstanding b. bad
b. average d. wrong

4. To handle customers calls, one ..

a. smiles over the phony c. talks about travelling
b. phones up a customer d. listens carefully and talk politely

5. An import-export firm is one which .

a. manufactures goods
b. brings in goods from abroad only
c. sends out goods to other countries only
d. brings in goods from abroad and sends out goods to other countries

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 6. Firnando is very keen to meet people. This means he is
a. nervous to meet them c. always meeting them
b. interested in meeting them d. good at meeting them

7. The phrase walks of life refers to .

a. races b. languages c. habits d. occupations

D. Answer the following questions briefly and to the point.

1. What career (occupation) would you like to have? Give your reasons.
2. How would you go about finding a job?
3. How would you prepare yourself for a job interview?
4. What have you learnt from the passage about attending an interview?
5. Some people think that salary is most important when accepting a job. What do you think? Give
your reasons.
6. What other things must one consider when one is deciding on a career?
7. Is it good to change jobs? Give your reasons.
8. If you were the manager, would you employ Firnando? Give reasons.