Almost every career requires such skills as listening，speaking，reading，writing，decision making，researching，reasoning，creativity，persuasion，leadership，interpersonal communication，and organization.In addition， a number of characteristics that may be important for specific jobs：achievement，aggressiveness1），ambition，dependability，discipline，honesty，initiative，motivation，people orientation2），persistence，responsibility，self－confidence，self－starting，sensitivity，sincerity，tenacity，and tough－mindedness.The way you acquire these skills and behaviours is，to a great extent，up to you.Without them，no matter how bright and knowledgeable² you may be，landing a t op job is extremely difficult，if not impossible.The most likely way to obtain these skills and behaviours is through courses，reading，internships3），part－time or full time employment，extracurricular activities，and participation⁴ in community functions.

　　Knowing what an employer is looking f or in a potential employee can help an applicant⁵ to prepare for an interview.An interviewer for a major corporation was asked these questions：What specific skills are you looking for in applicants⁶？And how do you identify these skills？He responded：

　　Most important for us in the way of skills is the ability to communicate——can people speak clearly？Can they articulate the kind of person they believe themselves to be？In what kind of work situations do they perform well？What are their strengths and weaknesses？We w ant to know about the personal qualities of the individual，so I try to ask questions to draw them out and attempt to find out if they have a sense of themselves.What I'm looking for is an ability to verbalize4） an idea in clear，simple，understandable language.I'm also looking for the ability to listen attentively⁸ and then to be able to respond to5） an idea or thought that has been presented to them.If they do have good communication skills，they will be able to do this logically and succinctly⁹.

　　I am looking for creativity——can they be spontaneous？I will ask some “off－the－wall6）”questions just to see if this throws them.How do they respond in these tough situations——can they be creative with their answers？This is very important when they are out in business situations with customers.They will have to respond to very sudden changes and problem－solving situations that they are not necessarily familiar with，and I want to know if they can handle them.

　　What we look for the most are personal qualities——assertiveness，self－motivation，drive，ambition，and a competitive instinct.They should be high achievers and want to work hard.I can usually tell a bout⁷ these qualities from the way the person presents himself or herself and some of the activities they have engaged in.I pick up things from the applications and resume——how they have written them and the kinds of things they say.How they present their experiences is often very informative7）。For example，an assertive¹⁰ person will say，“I can do these things”and“I decided¹² on this course of action，”whereas a more passive person might say，“These are the experiences I have had.”All of these things describe the person in some way.

　　几乎每种职业都需要诸多技能，如听、说、读、写、决策、调研、推理、创造、劝服、领导、搞好人际关系以及组织协调。除此之外，某些工作还需要如下特质：有成就、不断进取、雄心勃勃、值得信赖、纪律性强、忠诚老实、开创精神、工作动力、了解他人、坚持不懈、有责任感、自信、主动、敏锐、真诚、执着和坚韧不拔等。获取这些技能和行为的方式在很大程度上取决于你自己。不具备它们，不管你多么聪明，多么有见识，你都很难（如果不是不可能的话）获得一流的工作。通过上课、读书、实习、半日或全日工作、课外活动，以及参加社区服务活动是获取这些技能和行为的最可行的途径。

　　了解雇主欲从求职者身上寻求什么有助于应聘者做面试准备。一位大型公司的面试官曾被问及这样的问题：你在求职者身上寻找什么特定的技能？你又是如何辨出这些技能的？他答道：

　　在技能上，对我们最为重要的是交流的能力——他们能清楚地表达自己吗？他们能清楚地说明他们是他们所认为的那种人吗？在什么样的工作条件下他们表现出色？他们的长处和弱点是什么？我们想知道每个求职者的个人品质，所以我的提问是要发现他们的个人品质，并弄清他们是否有自我意识。我所寻求的是一种用简明易懂的语言说清某种想法的能力。我也寻求他们有一种在认真听讲后，对讲给他们的某个主意或想法做出回应的能力。如果他们有良好的交际能力，他们便能条理分明、简明扼要地做到这一点。

　　我寻求创造力——他们能否自发主动？我会问一些“离奇古怪”的问题看看他们是否无所适从。在难对付的情况下他们如何反应——他们的回答会有创意吗？这点在他们外出与客户谈生意时是相当重要的。他们将不得不应付突如其来的变化和他们不一定熟悉的需要马上解决问题的情况，而我想知道他们能否处理得了。

　　我们最想寻求的个人品质是：果断、主动、有干劲、雄心勃勃、有竞争意识。他们应该富有成就，愿意努力工作。我通常能够通过他们展示自己的方式和他们曾参加过的活动判断出他们所具有的个人品质。我从应聘书和个人简历中——他们怎么写自己和他们写些什么——来发现线索。他们如何展示自己的经历往往能告诉我们许多情况。比如说，一个果敢的人会说，“我能做这些事”或“我决定采取如此行动”，而一个较为被动的人则可能说，“这就是我的经历。”所有这些会在一定程度上描绘出一个人的品质。

　　aggressiveness n. 积极进取

　　orientation¹ n. 定位

　　internship³ n. 实习

　　verbalize v. 描述

　　respond to 反应，回应

　　off-the-wall adj. 异乎寻常的，古怪的

　　informative¹¹ adj. 提供信息的

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