Robin: What's your job now, Jerome? Do you still work for that wholly funded American company?
Jerome: No, I left it three years ago. I have my own business now.
Frank: Gee, that's great! How do you feel as a self-employed entrepreneur?
Jerome: I feel good. I can make a lot more money than before and I have a lot of independence in doing things. But sometimes I get tired. As you know, it's not very easy to run a business on your own. What about you, Frank? What are you doing now?
Frank: I've worked for several companies. After graduation, I went to a private company. Then a year later, I changed to a Sino-Japanese joint-venture enterprise and worked as a sales assistant. Two years later, I moved on to a computer company and worked in export sales. And now, I'm an advertising executive.
Colin: Oh, you are a real job-hopper. Why have you changed jobs so often?
Frank: I'm always interested in new challenges. I know changing jobs frequently can be a waste of a company's human resources, but I'm gaining a lot of experience! How is your job, Colin?
Colin: I've been working for the PMC Textile Plant since I graduated. Two years ago, I was promoted to Line Supervisor.
Frank: Do you like your job?
Colin: The salary and benefits are OK, but I don't like the work environment. You know, the workshops are very noisy sometimes. Also, I don't often get an opportunity to go anywhere. I hate staying in the same place all the time. You often travel on business, right Robin?
Robin: Yes. As a buyer, I must travel to purchase stock. I've been to a lot of places.
Colin: Maybe I should think about becoming a buyer ...
Robin: Mm ... , everything has two sides. I get fed up with travelling. Nowadays, I want to spend more time with my family.
Janet: Hi, guys, may I join you?
Everybody: Sure. Have a seat.
Janet: You enjoy getting together, don't you? What are you talking about?
Robin: Jobs. What kind of job do you have, Janet?
Janet: I'm the Public Relations Manager in a holding company.
Colin: Do you enjoy it?
Janet: Yes. What I like about it is that I can meet a lot of new and interesting people.
Robin: How about your working hours?
Janet: That's the trouble. I usually have to work overtime, because I often have dinner parties in the evening. I don't get enough time with my family and baby.