Questions 15 - 20
· Read the following article on recruiting and managing staff and the questions on the opposite page.
· Each question has four suggested answers or ways of finishing the sentence, A, B, C and D.
· Mark one letter A, B, C or D on your Answer Sheet, for the answer you choose.
As a manager in the service industry sector, I've looked at hundreds of CVs in my time. They are not necessarily the bland documents some bosses might think they are! They are full of little pointers towards individuals personalities and suitability for the job. The first thing I always look at is an applicant s employment record. I check for continuity and stability. If somebody has a long list of previous jobs, all of varying length, alarm bells start ringing. Rather than an irregular route from job to job, what I hope to see is stable career progression. What does their career path look like - is it all steps forward, or are there a lot of sideways moves? And I am always pleased to find a family person with children, because in my experience they tend to be responsible and reliable.
I never rely on CVs alone. We get applicants to fill in one of our own application forms. We ask why they've applied, what their aspirations and personal goals are, and also about their interests and hobbies and any clubs they belong to. That gives you a useful insight into their personality and lifestyle. The application form also enables us to test how much people have actually been progressing in their careers, because we ask for details of the salaries they have received for each job.
It s always worth looking at CVs and designing application forms with great care. Taking on employees might be rewarding, but it is also a big investment for any business. Mistakes in choosing staff can cost companies dear, so it makes sense to spend time ensuring you get the right person.
In the service sector, one of the aims of companies is to maintain and improve customer service, and this is achieved partly through low staff turnover. You need to take on people who understand that, and will want to stay. That s why, when you've taken staff on, the next thing is getting the best out of them.
My management style comes from the days when I took over my first business, an ailing road haulage firm which I was certain I could turn into a profitable company. The first thing is to treat others as you d like to be treated yourself. As soon as I took over the business, I talked to everybody individually, and looked for ways to make sure their particular skills benefited the company.
I didn't have much experience then of managing people, but above all I always tried to be fair and honest with everyone. As a result, I think the staff knew that and accepted my decisions, even if they didn't agree with them all. Also, bosses must be able to communicate. You also need to create team spirit, and build on the strength of the team. I explained my plans for the company to all the staff, and let them all know what I needed from them. The lorry drivers responded brilliantly, and were the key to turning the business round. They understood that we had to develop a professional reputation, and from then on the days of poor quality deliveries were over.
Lastly, I am a great believer in profit-sharing. It takes a team to make a company work, so profits should be shared by all. Job satisfaction is important, but it doesn't pay the rent. Shared profit and bonuses help to strengthen team spirit by giving everyone a common goal that they work towards together.
15 What fact does the writer hope to learn from applicants CVs?
A that they have experience of many different jobs
B that their careers have developed steadily
C the opinion their employers had of them
D whether they are married or single
16 The writer says the application form is useful because it
A reveals something of the applicant s character.
B gives information about the applicant s family.
C explains what skills the applicant has for the job.
D shows how much the applicant wants to earn.
17 According to the writer, why are CVs and application forms so important?
A Interviewing people is an expensive process.
B They indicate whether applicants really want the job.
C They indicate whether applicants are efficient or not.
D Employing the wrong people can be disastrous.
18 One reason why the writer was successful in her first business was that
A she was used to dealing with people.
B she was open with the staff.
C the business was already doing well when she started.
D the staff agreed with all her decisions.
19 The writer believes profit-sharing is a good idea because
A it encourages a competitive spirit.
B everyone earns the same salary.
C everyone shares the same aim.
D it creates job satisfaction.
20 Which would make the best title for this text?
A Profit-sharing as motivation
B How I turned a business round
C People - the key to business success
D The importance of a well-presented CV
PART FIVE
Questions 31 - 40
· Read the article below about meetings.
· For each question 31 - 40 write one word in CAPITAL LETTERS on your Answer Sheet.
How to make more of meetings
You should know what ends you want to achieve in a meeting before it starts and prepare for it (0)……reading any papers circulated beforehand, and carefully thinking about (31)…… you want to say. This may sound rather boring, but solid preparation is the key to successful meetings: A great (32)……of time and energy can be wasted through simple lack of planning.
The most important issues are not always given the most time in the general running of meetings. People are often unwilling (33)…… discuss important budgetary matters because they do not fully understand them, but (34)…… becomes an expert when it comes to discussing the colour of the new curtains, or what type of coffee to buy The discussion of (35)…… trivial matters as these, therefore, should be saved until the end of the meeting.
During the meeting it is essential to stick to the agenda so (36)……to avoid the common problem of repetition. At the same time you (37)…… to be sensitive to other people s ideas and feelings, and never lose your temper. Be prepared to accept (38)…… implement a suggestion that is contrary to (39)…… own ideas if it is an improvement on them; such honesty and flexibility are signs of good leadership and earn respect.
Finally, remember that when a decision is made it is important to act (40)…… it and to honour all the commitments you have made in the meeting.
