I felt like I had clicked my heels three times and come to a country away from home every morning as I walked through the doors at the Embassy of Australia in Washington. Musical Aussie accents, and Aboriginal art exhibits made me wonder if I had entered without a visa. In fact I was a temporary employee, a public affairs unpaid intern(实习) for three months during the summer in order to engage myself in the culture of the country where I planned to study the next spring.

During the summer I read the Australian news every day. Working at the embassy allowed me to escape the U.S. for six hours per day and learn about what was going on across the planet. After reading the daily Australian and U.S. news I usually helped prepare a PowerPoint presentation for school kids who visited the embassy as part of a school activity. Depending on whether an embassy event was going on, I would attend weekly meetings to listen in on planning and see what I could do to help. Usually there were smaller tasks to be done such as creating visitors' guides.

The most fantastic event in which I participated was the visit of the Australian prime minister. As the only American among countless Australian media and staff, I felt comfortable and was kept busy taking pictures and recording door-stop interviews at famous sites such as the Capitol. But as an intern, you will not be inside, exposed to top-secret information, when it comes to special events.

Government work is a useful addition to one's experience. As an embassy employee you will gain invaluable knowledge while spending your summer in a culturally diverse workplace.

Movie Extras

“Would you mind lying in a coffin? Would you shave your head? Are you willing to take out your false teeth?”

These are just a few of the questions Anne Marie Stewart and her staff sometimes ask the “talent” who serve as non-speaking “extras” in special films, television series, and made-for-TV movies produced in Toronto.

Of course, the majority of extra calls are for more ordinary people, and Stewart has a list of about 650 registered extras. Crowd scenes, which are common, call for everyday people of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, and sizes.

Over at Movie People, last-minute requests are not unusual. “We got a request once for an entire brass band of 30 people. They wanted it within the hour,” said manager Yvonne McCartney. Another time, the company got a last-minute request for a newborn baby. “We found a baby that was three weeks premature,” said Jonathan Aiken, an owner of the company.

Then there was the worried call from a casting director whose “Star” got doggone stubborn one day and decided to just lie down and not work. The director needed a replacement dog, fast. “We got them two in one hour.” said Aiken. “It was a matter of good connections and fast phone work.” The eight phone lines needed to make 350 to 400 calls a day are one of Movie People’s major expenses.

Phone lines are the only way to stay in touch with casting directors and extras; but the latter are a group not necessarily interested in a long-term relationship. Most extra jobs pay only $7 an hour (with a six-hour minimum), while most agencies charge an annual $75 registration fee and get 10 to 15 per cent of extras’ earnings. It’s no wonder that the turnover rate is fairly high.

Some people who are between jobs do extra work as a temporary measure, said McCartney. But professionals, such as lawyers, also do the work because it’s interesting. Others with flexible jobs have a desire to do something different. Some homemakers want to get out of the house and onto a movie set. Money’s not the motivating reason.

“One of the first things I say to people who walk in and ask about being an extra is, ‘You have to be available,’” said a person at Karen Clifton Agency. Inc. “The next thing I say is, ‘You can't make a living at this.’”

To find a job that's right for you, make a list of your interests and strengths, as well as your dislikes , and keep them in mind as you look for a job. For example, if you love books or writing, a job in a bookstore or library might be perfect for you. 【小题1】 You might not know details about the position, but you can prepare by researching the company itself.

【小题2】Regardless of the type of job you're applying for, a great resume really makes you stand out. Most importantly, present the strengths in it. It is an effective way to highlight your strongest skills and encourage the hiring manager to read more. Having a job experience on your resume increases the possibility to land a job too. If not, don't worry—there are plenty of other things, extracurricular or voluntary activities you can do to improve your job applications. Make sure the email address and phone number include on your application. 【小题3】

What do job interviewers look for? 【小题4】 Interviewers want to hire candidates who are smart, who think quickly and clearly, and who can express themselves and communicate well. Dress the part—your appearance also affects your chances of getting the job. 【小题5】 That means no sandals, jeans, or cutoffs. Even if you'll be scooping ice cream behind a counter, it helps to look professional for the interview.