Expand Your Career by Expanding Yourself

Again and again you've heard the old cynic saying: "It's not what you know, but who you know that counts!"

Unfortunately, this cliche is usually spoken bitterly by one of the losers of the world. He can't understand why someone having better connections and reputation has just received a promotion or a new job he feels he should have had.

How sad. He doesn't want to know the reasons why winners win. He takes no steps to expand his own valuable network of personal contacts. In the business world – and society in general - nobody will look for the wisest and most virtuous person to escort him to a position of leadership.

Far from it. We all tend to give opportunity and responsibility to people we already know and like. We also tend to give consideration to people warmly recommended by others whom we know and trust.

And we give more attention to strangers who are prominent in their fields than to anonymous strangers who may be equally or even better qualified than these others.

Here are some tips on expanding your contacts.

Associations. Don't pass the chance to represent your company in trade-association activity. Don't say that you're "too busy".

Go. You'll come back knowing people who work for your competitors. If they're high-level and impressed with you, they may be sources of career opportunity. If they're lower-level, but able, they may be prospective employees.

Seminars. Accept invitations to take part in forums and panel discussions. They can be a quick way to become known in your industry. Don't wait to be invited to be a panelist. Write or phone the president of the association and give your suggestions.

If your idea is helpful you will be asked to convey it. If you become the leader, you'll make very high-level contacts. And even if you're just a participant you'll become known.

Start your own association. It's done all the time. Your professional organization will give you contacts and supporters. You will gain experience of leadership and enjoy the pleasure of people's company.

Writings. Perhaps you can be lucky to publish an article in the Harvard Business Review or other famous journals. If your expertise is too specialized, write something for a trade paper in your industry. You will probably be called on for commentary by professional writers.

Outside Boards. You can become a director of a small company. There are also many young charitable and cultural organizations. You can he asked to join the hoard of one of them.

(To be continued)

Exercise 10. Answer the following questions.

1. Do you agree with the old cynical saying: "It's not what you know, but who you know that counts!"?

2. Do personal contacts really help people to get good jobs?

3. Do you enjoy meeting new people?

4. Do you like to take part in different meetings, conferences?

5. Do you like to speak in public?

6. Are you a communicative person?

Exercise 11. Learn the phrases helpful when you invite people to attend something or to take part in something.

Invitations

1. Would you care [keə] to attend our meeting? (formal) Вы не хотели бы присутствовать на пашем собрании? (офиц.)

2. Would you like to come to my place for lunch? Вы не хотели бы позавтракать у меня дома?

3. Let's go to the exhibition [ˌegzi'biʃən ]. Давайте пойдем на выставку.

4. Do you feel like having a drink? (informal) He хотите ли выпить? (неофиц.)

5. What/how about going to the theatre? (informal) Что если пойти в театр? (неофиц.)

Accepting an Invitation

1. (Yes,) very much. Thank you for your kind invitation. (Да) очень. Спасибо за приглашение.

2. (Yes,) I'd like to (very much), thank you. (Да,) мне (очень) хотелось бы этого, спасибо.

3. (Yes,) I'd love to. (Да,) мне очень хотелось бы этого.

4. It's very kind to invite me. Очень мило с вашей стороны, что вы меня пригласили.

5. That's a good idea. Хорошая мысль.

6. I don't mind [maind]. Я не возражаю.

7. All right. Ладно.

8. O.K. Ладно.

Declining an Invitation and Reasoning

1. I'm afraid I'm unable to accept your invitation. I've got a previous/prior engagement ['privjəs/ 'praiə in'geidʒimənt]. (formal) Боюсь, что не могу принять вашего приглашения. У меня уже назначена встреча.(офиц.)

2. I'm sorry I can't. I'm very busy at the moment. Простите, не могу. Я сейчас очень занят.

3. I'd like to but I've promised to finish the work. Я хотел бы (пойти), но я пообещал закончить работу.

4. Thank you, but (I'm afraid)... Спасибо, но я боюсь, что...

5. No, thanks. I'm not feeling too well (informal). Нет, спасибо. Я не очень хорошо себя чувствую (неофиц.)

Exercise 12. Act out the dialogues.

1. An Invitation to a Cocktail Party

A: Are you doing anything special tomorrow night?

B: No, nothing special. Why?

A: I'm having a cocktail party. Would you like to come?

B: Thank you. That would be lovely. What time?

A: Half past eight.

B: Fine. See you then.

2. An Invitation to Dinner

A: Would you like to come to dinner at my house?

B: Sorry, I can't. I've already promised to go and sec my business friend. It's very kind to invite me.

3. An Invitation to Lunch

A: Have you got any plans for today?

B: No, nothing in particular.

A: I wonder whether you'd like to have lunch with me?

B: That would be very nice. Thank you.

A: I'll meet you in the restaurant then at a quarter to one.

B: I'll be there.

4. An Invitation to an Art Exhibition

A: Are you free on Sunday?

B: Yes. Why?

A: How about going to the exhibition? I know you're interested in painting.

B: Thank you, but I'm afraid I've already visited the exhibition.

Exercise 13. Role-play.

Roles: Businessmen

1. Your business friend invites you to a reception / party / presentation / conference/meeting. Accept the invitation. Ask questions about the place and time. Promise to come.

2. Your business friend invites you to the theatre /an exhibition / a concert / a restaurant. Decline the invitation. Give your reasons.

3. Invite your business friend to your place for a drink. He declines the invitation because he's got a prior engagement. Suggest another date. Your business friend accepts the invitation.

Дата добавления: 2015-04-29