“Secret” System—Body Language

周旋

Much has been written about body language during a job interview. Experts from across many fields are full of advice on just how to present your best performance in an interview using conscious① body language choices. While many of these experts say there is a “secret” system for making the most of an interview， the reality is that most of them focus on a few general types of behavior that have the greatest effect during a job interview.

Entering the interview location—Your walk should be active and confident. Keep your shoulders straight， head up， and make eye contact with the people around you. Maintain② an active facial expression and be confident when shaking hands and greeting people to whom you are introduced.

During the interview—Sit in a straight and attentive posture. Never let your shoulders drop or your head hang down， but rather keep your head up and make eye contact with the interviewers. Dont play with any papers or notes you have in front of you， and dont lean③ your arms heavily on the table. Keep your body position open and make eye contact while listening to and answering questions.

Leaving the interview location—No matter how you feel about your performance during the interview， carry yourself with confidence till you leave the interview location. Be confident when shaking hands and making eye contact as you say goodbye， and keep your body posture straight as you walk all the way to your car.

Remember， the more you make active and confident body language a part of your daily life， the more it becomes a habit that follows you wherever you go.

Notes： ① conscious adj. 自覺的 ② maintain v. 保持 ③ lean v. 倚靠

【難句解析】

1. While many of these experts say there is a “secret” system for making the most of an interview...

釋義：盡管許多專家說，有一個“秘密”的系統可以在面試時充分利用……

點撥：在此句中，while表示讓步，通常位于句首，意為“盡管，雖然”。while除可表示同時性外，還含有一個動作在另一個動作正在進行或持續過程中的某一時刻發生。while還可以表示對比或轉折，意為“而，然而”。此時，while一般位于句中。

While they were reading， Tom shouted in pain. 當他們正在看書時，湯姆痛苦地叫起來。

Some people waste food while others havent enough. 有些人浪費糧食，然而有些人卻吃不飽。

2. Maintain an active facial expression and be confident when shaking hands and greeting people to whom you are introduced.

釋義：與被介紹的人握手和問候時，你要保持積極的面部表情和自信。

點撥：to whom you are introduced是定語從句，修飾先行詞people。當關系代詞引導定語從句，和介詞連用時，關系代詞不能使用that和who，要使用which和whom代替。

I dont know the person with whom you talked just now. 我不認識剛才和你講話的人。

This is the book for which you asked. 這是你所要的書。

3. No matter how you feel about your performance during the interview， carry yourself with confidence till you leave the interview location.

釋義：在面試時，無論你對你的表現感覺如何，一直到你離開面試場地都要保持自信。

點撥：no matter + where / when / how只能引導讓步狀語從句。whatever / whoever / whichever可引導讓步狀語從句、主語從句和賓語從句。引導讓步狀語從句時，whatever / whoever / whichever=no matter+what / who / which。

No matter where he goes， Ill follow him. 無論他到哪里，我將跟著他。

4. Remember， the more you make active and confident body language a part of your daily life， the more it becomes a habit that follows you wherever you go.

釋義：記住：你越把積極、自信的身體語言成為生活中的一部分，你無論走到哪里，它將越跟隨你成為習慣。

點撥：“the+比較級，the+比較級”意為“越……，越……”，表示一方的程度隨著另一方的變化而變化。在通常情況下，前一個“the+比較級”相當于比較狀語從句，后一個“the +比較級”為主句。有時前一個“the+比較級”相當于條件狀語從句，后一個“the+比較級”為主句，從句不可用將來時。

The more I read the book， the more I liked it. 這本書我越看越喜歡。

The earlier you start， the sooner youll be back. 你出發得越早，回來得就越早。

【閱讀鏈接】

I. Choose the right answer.

1. We can learn from the text that the “secret” system in Paragraph 1 mainly refers to ____.

A. body language? ?????? B. habits ?????????????? C. language skills??? ???? D. advice

2. A proper posture in an interview is to ____.

A. keep your head up???????????????????????? ?? B. sit in a relaxed way

C. hold a piece of paper???????????????????? ???? D. lean your arms on the table

3. During the interview which of the following is NOT mentioned？

A. Eye contact.???? ????? B. Clothing style.???? C. Sitting posture.? D. Facial expression.

4. Whats the purpose of the text？

A. To show the general steps of an interview.

B. To explain the meaning of body language.

C. To persuade people to use more body language.

D. To give advice on how to carry yourself in an interview.

5. It can be inferred from the text that ____.

A. knowledge plays a key role in an interview

B. active body language helps a lot in an interview

C. advice from experts makes a good result in an interview

D. communication skills are necessary for a good interview

II. Fill in the blanks.

1. He went out for a walk， ____ （然而） I stayed at home.

2. He came after the thief ____ ____ ____ （一直） to the railway station.

3. These designers ____ ____ ____ （充滿） fresh ideas.

4. ____ ____ ____ （無論什么） you do， you must be very careful.

5. ____ ____ （越忙） he is， ____ ____ （越快樂） he feels.