42. Describe a difficult decision that you made. Flashcards
- Describe a difficult decision that you made.
You should say:
+ what decision it was
+ what difficulties you faced
+ how you made the decision
And explain why it was a difficult decision.
It was 5 years ago when I was in my junior year of college, I was struggling to find out what career would I follow in the future. As juniors, we had to choose courses related to our study concentration such as theorical physics, material science or nuclear physics… At that moment, I was confused since I did not specifically like any of them.
As the deadline closely approached [ə’proʊtʃ], I had to quickly make my decision. I decided to talk with my father, a wise man, about my problem. Different from many other parents who always make decisions for their children; my father guides me to the answer and lets me choose what I want.
He asked me what I would like do when I graduated, then analyzed my personality, discussed my strengths and weaknesses. He also showed me some career paths I could follow if I chose certain options.
After an hour of talking to him, everything had become clearer and I finally made my decision to follow a career in material science. Thanks to the conversation that day, I understood more about myself. Five years have passed, I am now a PhD student in Material Science and I have never regretted my decision [ dɪ’sɪʒən].
- Advantages of working under pressure
- Disadvantages of working under pressure
- Why people don’t want to work under pressure
- Advantages of working under pressure
+ help you work more effectively
+ concentrate more to your work - Disadvantages of working under pressure
+ Stressful
+ make mistake < try to keep up with deadline - Why people don’t want to work under pressure
+ scare of stress < want to enjoy life
+ want spend more time for their family
- The benefits of staying in the same job for life
- The benefits of not staying in the same job
- Self-employment
- Unemployment
- Unemployment benefits: positives
- Unemployment benefits: negatives
- Work/Life Balance
- Technology and work
- Child labour
- The benefits of staying in the same job for life
Employees have a stable career with one employer
They have a good pension and health insurance
Their salaries gradually increase
They demonstrate loyalty
Experienced staff can be trusted with more responsibility
There is a clearly defined path for development - The benefits of not staying in the same job
People often change jobs in order to further their career Another company may offer a promotion or a higher salary
People who change jobs can gain experience
They can learn different skills
Changing jobs is interesting and challenging
People need to develop a range of experience and skills - Self-employment
Nowadays, it is easy to set up a company
The Internet provides a global marketplace
Self-employment offers greater freedom than working for a company
However, there are risks to starting a new business
Self-employed people may face financial difficulties
Many businesses fail to make a profit
There is less stability in self-employment
Self-employment involved hard work and total responsibility - Unemployment
Unemployment is a big problem for individuals, communities and society
Some people are unable to find a job
They may not have the sufficient level of education or qualifications
They may find themselves homeless
Jobless people may become involved in crime as a means to get money
The unemployed ppl need careers advice
Governments need to provide vocational courses and retraining - Unemployment benefits: positives
Some governments pay unemployment benefits in order to help jobless people
Unemployed people need financial support until they find a new job
By claiming benefits they can continue to pay for their homes
The benefits system helps to reduce poverty, homelessness and crime - Unemployment benefits: negatives
Some people claim benefits rather than working
They become dependent on the government
They are not motivated to find a job
The benefits system is a burden on taxpayers - Work/Life Balance
It is important to achieve a balance between work time and leisure or family time
Too much work can result in stress and poor health
“workaholics” may neglect their families and friends
People need to take regular holidays
Technology allow people to work from home
Many companies provide childcare facilities
Happy, healthy workers are more productive - Technology and work
Workers can communicate via email, online networks and video conferencing
Technology can connect workers in different countries
help each others
It can also save time and money
Some people believe that offices could disappear in the future
Virtual online offices may replace them - Child labour
In some countries, children are exploited
They do repetitive jobs for very low pay
Children are often used in agriculture and factory work
The employment of children is prohibited in other countries
Many people think that children should be free to enjoy their childhood
Governments should make education a priority
They should build new schools
They should supply the resources to educate children
Children need to be given the knowledge and skills for adult life
