Part 6

You are going to read an article about jobs that involve international travel. Six sentences have been removed from the article. Choose from the sentences A-G the one which fits each gap (37-42). There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use.

Want to join the jet-set?

You could be jetting off to exotic locations, staying in five star hotels, eating in top-class restaurants, and it’s all paid for by your employer. Who wouldn’t want a job that involves foreign travel? 37 __. The number of jobs requiring international travel is growing significantly. And citing business travel experience on your CV can bring enormous professional benefits.

But it’s not always as exciting as it sounds. There is a big difference between travelling to Milan as a tourist and travelling there to spend a day in the type of hotel meeting room that can be found anywhere in Europe. It can be very exciting, but you need to keep your feet firmly on the ground. Speak to seasoned international business travellers to get an idea of what you will face. Flights can be delayed, things can go wrong and it’s easy to get exhausted. Many jobs mean travelling alone, so you can be lonely.

Simply targeting any job that involves foreign travel is not the way to start. 38 __. It’s as illogical as saying you want a job that involves wearing smart clothes. Instead, you should consider all the usual factors, such as qualifications and experience, and only then choose a sector or company that offers opportunities for international travel.

The travel and hotel trades are obvious areas, but the commercial sector also offers good prospects for travel. In the retail sector, buyers often travel, especially if they work in fresh produce, where they have to check the suitability of crops. 39 __. Jobs in the engineering and environment sector can involve travel, too. Almost any career can mean international travel, if you choose the right company and role. The number of jobs involving travel, especially at middle-management level, is growing.

So what will help you secure a role with an international flavour? 40 __. A second language is a good indication of how well someone will adapt. You need to show you are flexible and willing to learn. I f your company has a sister company in the Czech Republic, for instance, learning some Czech will boost your chances.

Find out what the company offers as a support package. Many now guarantee that you can return home at the weekends, or they will limit the amount that people travel each year. 41 __. One company asked graduates fresh out of university to move to another country over a weekend, alone, and to find their own accommodation.

And it’s as well to remember that international travel can be stressful. People can get burned out by international business travel. You need to be in control of your schedule, rather than leaving it to the company. You must ensure you get time to rest and talk to your employer all the time about how you are coping. Don’t wait for formal appraisals or until they ask for your views. 42 __. Most sensible companies ask people to commit to two to three years. This increases the likelihood of success. And most people who travel on business remember it fondly.

A On the other hand, it does bring personal benefits, and it also has a dramatic effect on promotion prospects.
В Making travel your first requirement is not the way to choose a career.
C And realize you might not want to travel for ever.
D Employers look for candidates with an international outlook.
E And there are plenty of opportunities.
F But not all employers are like this.
G Employment in communications, banking and finance, and property management is also worth looking at.

Part 7

You are going to read an article about fathers and sons. For questions 43-52, choose from the people (A-D). The people may be chosen more than once.

Which person’s father…
43. always had faith in his son’s abilities? __
44. encouraged his son not to give up in the face of disappointment? __
45. gave his son advice in a light-hearted way? __
46. made his son realise the need to try harder? __
47. may not have succeeded in passing on certain ideas to his son? __
48. never blamed his son for mistakes that he made? __
49. put no pressure on his son to follow in his footsteps? __
50. reassured his son when equipment let him down? __
51. showed his son how to perform practical tasks? __
52. was willing to listen to his son’s suggestions? __

What’s the best advice your father ever gave you?

A Tony: Racing driver
‘Drive it like you stole it and keep it on the black stuff!’ I was quite nervous when I first started racing, but those were my dad’s jokey words of wisdom and they made me feel better at the time. In the beginning, I had quite a few spins on the circuits – the very first one was particularly scary because the car left the track, but he never said it was my fault. I used to drive a Porsche 924 and pretty much every single race something would break, but Dad would just say: ‘Don’t worry about the car, we can always fix it.’ I didn’t like people behind me when I went round corners, but Dad was always telling me not to take any notice, to focus on what I was doing. I’ve got a long way to go, but Dad ’s really good – he’s hardly the most polite person to have around if things don’t go well, but he’s my role model.

В David: Record producer
Because Dad and I have always been close, there was no one moment when he imparted some big philosophical piece of advice. I think his greatest gift has been his general unwavering belief in me. Since I was about fourteen, he’s given me the opportunity to input ideas and have my say about the bands we work with or the equipment we use, which is amazing. When you’re part of a family business, it can sometimes feel as if you have to be there, but my brother and I have done other things, and we’re back with Dad again because we want to be. He left the decision to us. Dad’s also been good at giving career advice because he’s done it and he’s got the experience. He’s given me that drive and ambition to succeed.

C Andy: Buyer for a department store
I was probably Dad’s most unruly son. He tried to teach me a lot of things – how much I’ve taken on board is another matter. But I don’t think I’m such a disappointment to him! He’s a very cool dad, but he’s quite traditional in some ways. He’s always said that if you want to succeed, then get on with it. If you’re going to do something, do it right away or at least write it down so you don’t forget! I’m proud of my dad and how hard he worked for us to have a lovely childhood and good lifestyle. Dad also taught me valuable skills like how to change the oil in my car, how to play tennis and ski – although the last time he saw me doing that he said he feared for his life!

D Simon: Rugby player
He had this catchphrase: ‘Under-prepare, and you prepare to fail.’ I heard it time and again. A typical teenager when things went wrong, I was always trying to blame everything and everyone but myself. He used his catchphrase and explained that if you don’t put sufficient effort in, you’ll never get anything out of whatever it is you’re doing. That’s stayed with me ever since, even now when I’m playing professionally. He’s always given a fair amount of advice. He made me realise that if you just stick at something, no matter how hard things get, then your time will come. It’s the hardest thing to hear when things aren’t going well. At the beginning of the season, I wasn’t getting picked for many matches. Then when the chance came to play, I really took it.

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