ESL Podcast 552 - Reviewing Job Applications
stack - a large number of objects that are placed on top of each other vertically
Ms. DuPois has a huge stack of papers to grade this weekend.
pile - a group of things that are put in the same place, next to and on top of each other, maybe in a disorganized way
Yasuhiro put his dirty clothes in a pile on top of the washing machine and hoped that his roommate would wash them for him.
candidate - a person who wants to receive a particular job or who hopes to be elected for a particular position
Which candidate did you vote for?
to be worth a second look - for a person or thing to have enough good qualities or characteristics so that it should still be considered for something and not rejected, even though it isn't perfect
That school doesn't offer everything we're looking for, but it's definitely worth a second look.
an embarrassment of riches - too much of a good thing; having too many things to choose from
It was an embarrassment of riches when they walked into their grandparents' home to find cookies, cakes, and candy waiting for them.
pathetic - very sad and disappointing because something is not good enough or sophisticated enough
The movie was a pathetic retelling of the story in the novel. I didn't like it at all. The book was much better.
material - substance; something that will be used in a particular way for a particular purpose
Do you really think she's babysitting material for the neighbors' children?
to work for peanuts - to work for very little pay; to work in a very low-paying job
Why do you work for peanuts in non-profit organizations? You could get a much better-paying job in a private company.
to hold down a job - to have and keep a job; to hold on to a job
With her drinking problem, it was difficult for her to hold down a job.
reference - a person who is familiar with one's work, abilities, talents, and personality and is willing to share his or her opinion with another person regarding whether one would be good or bad in another position
He asked his former boss to serve as a reference for his application for graduate school.
to hold on to a job - to be able to keep a job; to work in a single job for a significant period of time, especially when it is a difficult job; to hold down a job
Why can't Ines hold on to a job? No matter where she works, she always gets fired within the first month.
to job-hop - to change jobs frequently, without being in a job long enough to really do it well or be promoted
After college, Danitsa job-hopped for a few years before she figured out what she really wanted to do professionally.
standout - a person or thing that is much better than others and attracts attention because it is better
Stanislav was a standout in all his high school classes, and everyone knew he was getting perfect grades.
educational background - the type of education that one has, including where and when one has studied, and which degrees one has earned
Mitch has an impressive educational background, with undergraduate degrees in biochemistry and microbiology and a Ph.D. in pharmacology from one of the best universities in the country.
interview - a formal meeting between a job applicant and the person who will decide who should get the job, used to ask questions and find out whether the person would be able to do the job well
During the interview, be sure that you let them know how much you'd enjoy working there and why you're the best applicant for the job.
to snatch up - to grab; to get or use something very quickly, before anyone else can get or use it
The shoppers snatched up all the best deals within the first 20 minutes that the store was open.
you and me, both - a phrase used to show that one completely agrees with what another person has said
I hope this war ends soon.
You and me, both.