“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

【难句解析】

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

释义：尽管许多专家说，有一个“秘密”的系统可以在面试时充分利用……

点拨：在此句中，while表示让步，通常位于句首，意为“尽管，虽然”。while除可表示同时性外，还含有一个动作在另一个动作正在进行或持续过程中的某一时刻发生。while还可以表示对比或转折，意为“而，然而”。此时，while一般位于句中。

While they were reading， Tom shouted in pain. 当他们正在看书时，汤姆痛苦地叫起来。

Some people waste food while others havent enough. 有些人浪费粮食，然而有些人却吃不饱。

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

释义：与被介绍的人握手和问候时，你要保持积极的面部表情和自信。

点拨：to whom you are introduced是定语从句，修饰先行词people。当关系代词引导定语从句，和介词连用时，关系代词不能使用that和who，要使用which和whom代替。

I dont know the person with whom you talked just now. 我不认识刚才和你讲话的人。

This is the book for which you asked. 这是你所要的书。

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

释义：在面试时，无论你对你的表现感觉如何，一直到你離开面试场地都要保持自信。

点拨：no matter + where / when / how只能引导让步状语从句。whatever / whoever / whichever可引导让步状语从句、主语从句和宾语从句。引导让步状语从句时，whatever / whoever / whichever=no matter+what / who / which。

No matter where he goes， Ill follow him. 无论他到哪里，我将跟着他。

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.

释义：记住：你越把积极、自信的身体语言成为生活中的一部分，你无论走到哪里，它将越跟随你成为习惯。

点拨：“the+比较级，the+比较级”意为“越……，越……”，表示一方的程度随着另一方的变化而变化。在通常情况下，前一个“the+比较级”相当于比较状语从句，后一个“the +比较级”为主句。有时前一个“the+比较级”相当于条件状语从句，后一个“the+比较级”为主句，从句不可用将来时。

The more I read the book， the more I liked it. 这本书我越看越喜欢。

The earlier you start， the sooner youll be back. 你出发得越早，回来得就越早。

【阅读链接】

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 ____ ____ ____ （充满） fresh ideas.

4. ____ ____ ____ （无论什么） you do， you must be very careful.

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