陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他在餐厅里找到美国同Amy 。
(Office ambience)
A:Hello Chen Hao. How are you?
C:还行。不过,我有点事想征求一下你的意见。
A:What is it?
C:你认识我们办公室的Sue吗?
A:I've worked on a couple of projects with her. Why?
C:我告诉你,你可得保密,Sue正在找工作。
A:Why is that a problem?
C:她让我做她的推荐人。
A:That bothers you?
C:Sue工作不是很靠谱,推荐她,那不等于说瞎话嘛!
A:What did you say when she came to you?
C:我没直接回答她。我说那份新工作听上去是个不错的机会,然后就假称要开会,逃掉了。
A:I have a couple of suggestions for you.
C:太好了,你快告诉我。我今天一天都躲躲藏藏的,生怕遇到Sue。
A:Let's sit down over there.
******
两人坐下,边吃边聊。
C:Amy,你快说说,我该怎么办。
A:Sue must have some positive traits or she wouldn't be working here.
C:优点肯定是有,不过我得仔细想想。
A:I suggest that you make a list of her strengths.
C:可她的缺点要比优点多得多。
A:Try not to focus on her shortcomings, but list them out, too. You can call them areas where she needs to grow.
C:需要改进的地方?那人家给我打电话,了解Sue的情况,我该怎么说呢?
A:You begin by saying that she is a good team player, but could benefit from the opportunity to work independently and grow professionally. That makes you honest.
C:有道理,我就说她很容易相处,但是如果有一个独立工作,需要精湛技能的机会,将对她有帮助。可是Amy,我怎么才能不去提她的缺点呢?
A:Let the interviewer know that you have worked with Sue on a limited basis so you can only speak about your experience on the team.
C:就说,跟Sue共事机会不多,有些情况没有发言权。Amy, 我有个更简单的办法,要不我这段时间干脆不接电话了,留言也不回。
A:That's cowardly. Besides it will reflect poorly on you.
C:要这么说,不回电子邮件也行不通了。
A:You have another choice. You can tell Sue that you aren't comfortable in giving references to her because you are afraid of saying the wrong thing.
C:这样好。我就说自己英语不好,搞不好词不达意,再说错了话。
A:It is difficult when a colleague who is not a good worker asks you for a reference.
C:你能在重复一遍,我都有哪些选择吗?
A:If you agree to be a reference, rehearse what you plan to say. Don't allow yourself to be drawn into areas where you are not comfortable.
n. 同事