话说Ballito先生的秘书Opal是非常的忙。She has to answer letters, take messages, arrange appointments and answer the telephone. 因此Ballito 先生认为该给这位好秘书找一个助手。他决定在报纸上登一个招聘广告。现在Opal正在帮Ballito 先生起草广告。

MR BALLITO: Opal. I want to advertise for a new junior.

OPAL: A new junior?

MR BALLITO: Yes, a new junior secretary. You have to spend so much time on the telephone that you need someone to help you in the office.

OPAL: That's a good idea. Then I can spend more time dealing with correspondence.

MR BALLITO: Yes, and if you spend more time on correspondence, I'll have more time to visit customers.

OPAL: And the firm will do more business.

MR BALLITO: Yes, and if the firm does more business, it'll make more money.

OPAL: (LAUGHING) And we'll all get more pay.

MR BALLITO: Yes, perhaps. Anyway let's start by getting a new junior secretary. We can put an advertisement in the daily newspaper.

OPAL: Right, what shall we say in it?

MR BALLITO: (DICTATING) Erm ... Junior Secretary wanted, Oh, in block capitals. Then, Em ... A vacancy exists for a junior secretary in a medium-sized firm. Applicants, should be, shorthand-typists with knowledge of secretarial duties. Normal. What about that?

OPAL: I think it would be a good idea to put "office practice" instead of "secretarial duties."

MR BALLITO: Do you? Why?

OPAL: Well, if she's worked in an office, she will know about office practice. But she may not know anything about secretarial duties.

MR BALLITO: Yes. Yes, you're quite right. Put "Applicants should be shorthand-typists with knowledge of office practice". Secretarial training provided.

OPAL: Oh, I see. If she wants to know anything special, I'll explain it to her.

MR BALLITO: Yes, yes. Now should we ask applicants to phone or write?

OPAL: Oh, phone, I think. You can find out a great deal about someone from their telephone manner. Oh, and what about languages?

MR BALLITO: Well, anyone who uses the telephone in business should be able to speak at least one foreign language - we'd better put "Knowledge of one foreign language essential" somewhere. Oh, and will you mention that when you are interviewing the applicant. Now, read out the advertisement.

OPAL: JUNIOR SECRETARY WANTED - in block capitals. Then Um. A vacancy exists for a junior secretary in a medium-sized firm. Applicants should be shorthand-typists with knowledge of office practice. Secretarial training provided. Knowledge of one foreign language essential. Telephone Dongali 52364 and ask for Miss Opal Karli.

MR BALLITO: Yes, now that's all right. Type it out and send it to the "Dongali Times".

OPAL: When do you want it to appear?

MR BALLITO: Oh, in Friday's issue, I think. Thank you Opal. Thank you.

广告登出后，他们就等着来人应聘了。欲知后事，且看下回。

（来源：梁瑞英语 英语点津 Annabel 编辑）