What kinds of employees are likely to be fired?
If employees do not observe company or department rules, they are likely to be fired.Any bo will be angry if employees are late for work or use the company phone to talk with friends.A bo dislikes people who do not work hard, goip a lot or read the newspaper over a cup of tea for hours.Even if one works hard, the bo may not be satisfied if one does not work with high efficiency.After all, company profits come from employee achievements.Even though you\'ve made significant personal contributions to the company, if you do not get along well with your colleagues, you may impede the company\'s productivity.After all, most jobs require teamwork nowadays.Usually the bo places a high value on employee loyalty.Disloyal employees may sell the company\'s secrets and ruin it overnight.When the company is in financial difficulty and downsizing, the first to be dismied will be those who have some of the above-mentioned problems.
What kinds of people are better prepared for a layoff?
In contemporary society job changes are inevitable.Few people will stay in the same company all their lives.So, from time to time people should look for signs that layoffs are coming.For example, fewer customer orders, layoffs in similar companies, and an economic receion are warnings.In addition to noticing bad omens like the above, people should study the kinds of skills or technologies that are in great demand.If one industry is on the decline, they should equip themselves with knowledge and skills in other industries.When adequately prepared, they will not panic if they receive a dismial notice.They can go to a different job or even a different career without too much difficulty.
After finishing undergraduate studies, would you like to find a job or pursue a postgraduate degree? Why?
Some students prefer to look for a favorable job, through which they can gain useful experience that they cannot get from books.When they move on to a higher level job one day, then, they will already have experience in that field.At work, they can give full play to their practical abilities, and may be promoted to department manager by the time their clamates complete their Master\'s degree programs.On the other hand, some students are not eager to take up a job and prefer to continue to study towards a Master\'s degree or even a PhD.And we all know, knowledge is power.Although not everything you learn will be directly applicable at work, knowledge does improve your character overall.In the long run, those who acquire more knowledge will benefit from it.
If a company doesn\'t perform well in a certain field, for example, software development, should it outsource or train its own employees to do it?
Some companies prefer to outsource the production they are not good at.Against the background of globalization, the division of work is accelerating.Often you can find a more specialized or more profeional company that can do the same work with better quality at a lower rate.But outsourcing inevitably brings about problems.It is not always easy to lay off the employees, especially if they have served the company for a long time.They may ask for dismial benefits that are too high for the organization to bear.So, perhaps the company can provide their workers with training to improve their production skills.If the workers feel grateful, they will work harder for the company\'s prosperity.
Describe some superstitions in English-speaking countries.
English-speaking nations have a number of superstitions.For example, many people believe 13 to be an unlucky number, and do not want to live on the 13th floor or in Room 13.They say \"knock on wood\" or \"touch wood\" to avoid bad luck.To wish somebody good luck, they may say \"I\'ll cro my fingers for you.\" Superstitious people avoid walking under a ladder or opening an umbrella in doors.When they see a black cat run acro their path, they think it\'s a bad omen.Some people may hang a horseshoe over their door to ward off bad luck.If they happen to drop a mirror, they worry that they will have seven years\' bad luck.To ensure good luck, they may carry a charm of some kind, such as a lucky rabbit\'s foot!
What is the relationship between one\'s attitude to life and one\'s fate? Does the former determine the latter or is it the other way round?
Since the world is complex and mysterious, it is not easy to arrive at a definite conclusion.Some scholars, including a British psychologist, suggest that there exists a correlation between one\'s attitude to life and one\'s fate.But more research is needed before we can be sure of such a correlation.Moreover, the cause-and-effect relationship has not been clearly identified, and we are uncertain which causes which.In real life we can find counter examples: Some optimistic people are not very lucky, while some peimistic people are quite lucky.Perhaps we should try to find out which case is more frequent: optimistic people with good luck or optimistic people with bad luck.Judging from my personal observations, the former is more common.I can even supply the reason: Optimistic people have more self-confidence, which facilitates their succe in life.A survey involving many people is required to discover what most people think about this iue.
In an enterprise or institution, is it neceary to clearly describe each employee\'s duties? Explain.
Generally speaking, it is neceary.Employees\' job should be clearly defined.With a detailed job description, a worker will have a definite aim and high motivation to work toward that aim.They know how they will be rewarded and punished.Accurate job descriptions can do much to prevent unneceary duplication and conflict among workers.If everyone in a company works as an organized team, the company is likely to grow and prosper.However, some potential problems are worth noting.If a job description is too detailed, some staff members will turn a blind eye to anything that falls outside their scope of responsibilities even if it is important to the company as a whole.Nor should job descriptions stand in the way of cooperation among employees.If those problems can be overcome, job descriptions will play a significant role in the company\'s progre.
When a bo employs or promotes people, what may be his or her chief consideration: their education or their practical ability?
In fact, most boes will consider both, though they may probably attach more importance to the candidate\'s ability.After all, a company\'s profits come directly from the abilities of the entire staff.Many of the qualities of a good worker such as diligence, teamwork, loyalty to the company, and courtesy to customers are gained through on-the-job training rather than from book knowledge.However, one\'s educational background is not unimportant.If one can enroll in a distinguished university and attain a high GPA, it is likely that one already poees good qualities like industriousne, intelligence, organizational ability, and a strong will -- qualities that
are equally useful in the workplace.But it\'s also poible that some students from the academic ivory tower are merely bookworms without much capacity for practical work.A bo is unlikely to promote such an employee.
Some boes employ and promote only relatives or those who come from their hometown.Discu the advantages and disadvantages of this hiring practice.
Hiring people he is familiar with does offer the bo advantages.Those people are usually willing to work hard and are loyal to the bo, who often entrusts them with such important responsibilities as being a financial manager or human resources manager.However, the disadvantages inherent in a family busine outweigh the advantages.To begin with, it is not always easy to find a relative who can take up a highly technical position such as software development engineer or an in-house lawyer.Perhaps none of the bo\'s relatives is even a competent electrician.Then, too, there are problems if the bo\'s sister-in-law is chief financial officer.A top-notch accounting graduate will quickly realize her chances of promotion are slim and will work for another company.Worse still, if relatives turn against the bo, they may be able to deal him a deadly blow since they often know many company secrets.
Should managers be strict with or kind to their employees?
Generally speaking, managers should be strict with their employees; otherwise they may find it difficult to keep good discipline in the workplace.For example, some employees may come in late and leave early.They may call in sick without good reason.Even when they are in the office, they may idle the day away chatting with each other.However, a manager should show concern for his or her subordinates when they do have difficulties like an acute illne or other unexpected problems.If employees feel sincerely appreciated, they tend to work harder.Generally speaking, managers should be strict with their employees; otherwise they may find it difficult to keep good discipline in the workplace.For example, some employees may come in late and leave early.They may call in sick without good reason.Even when they are in the office, they may idle the day away chatting with each other.However, a manager should show concern for his or her subordinates when they do have difficulties like an acute illne or other unexpected problems.If employees feel sincerely appreciated, they tend to work harder.
Do you believe there are extraterrestrial beings in outer space?
It is difficult to come to a definite conclusion on this iue.On the one hand, many people claim to have seen a UFO, and some even aert that they were abducted by aliens in their spaceships.Theoretically, it is difficult to prove that in the vast universe people on Earth are of the most advanced civilization and have the most advanced technology.If we cannot see ETs, it may be because they are far more advanced than we are.Similarly, if primitive people cannot detect radio waves, it does not mean more advanced civilizations do not exist.On the other hand, human beings have not collected solid evidence to prove the existence of ETs.Although some people claim to have witneed a UFO, it could be a visual mistake.A mirage is a case in point.When somebody claims to have seen a ghost, do you believe it? In my opinion, while mankind should continue to explore mysteries in the universe, they had better direct most of their time and energy toward pursuits that are more relevant to their present lives
Do you think succe is due more to luck and opportunity or to diligence and perseverance? Why?
Sometimes a lucky person achieves great succe without making the corresponding efforts, while a person who has worked diligently on and on fails to accomplish anything.But on the whole, I am inclined to believe that succe is more closely related to diligence than to luck.It is true that in gambling, card-playing and some other games, luck plays a large role.But in most fields of endeavor, one has to study and work hard before one has a chance of succe.For example, all scientists, engineers, teachers, musicians and athletes must receive years of rigorous training before they can do their work properly and stand out from the rest.Without hard work, they have almost no hope of succe at all.After all, opportunity favors those who are well prepared.
Name at least ten recreational activities, including those requiring a lot of physical exertion and those that are more relaxing.
Some forms of recreation require a high level of physical activity.Here are some examples: football, basketball, badminton, tennis, and table tennis.Some people like climbing mountains, going bodysurfing, or going rafting.After those strenuous outings, they feel mentally relaxed.
On the other hand, some people prefer more sedentary（久坐的）activities.Instead of playing a ball game, they watch it.They go to a cinema, a theater, an opera house or a concert hall, or they simply sit at home watching TV.Some play various kinds of games on the computer, and others play che or cards.Even when they want to stay outdoors, they may choose peaceful pastimes like fishing
