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English at Work

Episode 1: The interview

Language for interviews

Narrator:   Hold tight please! This is Anna, on a bus going to an interview for a job as

a sales executive at Tip Top Trading – one of London's fastest growing

companies. How are you feeling Anna?

Anna:   Oh, a little nervous but I really want this job.

Narrator:  Well don't worry Anna, as long as you say the right things, you'll be fine.

Anna:   The right things!? Like what?

Narrator:  You need to sell yourself, be confident, not arrogant and give examples.

  Like: A good example that comes to mind.

  I'm particularly proud of.

  Timekeeping is important to me.

Anna:   Oh right. Thanks. Perhaps you can come with me?

Narrator:  Sorry Anna, you're on your own now – but we'll be listening in. Look! 

  You've just arrived. Good luck!

Paul:    Come in. Hello, I'm Paul, the Manager of Tip Top Trading. And you must

  be….?

Anna:   It's Anna.

Paul:    Yes, very good. Thanks for coming. Now somewhere in this pile, I've got

  your CV…

Anna:   Err, is that it there?

Paul:   Oh yes, thanks Hannah. Your qualifications look impressive but what sales

experience can you bring to our company?

Anna:   I worked in a shop once.

Narrator:  Ohhh Anna! Sell yourself. Give a good example!

Anna:   Oh right…mmm….well a good example that comes to mind is when I was

  involved with a campaign to promote and sell a new range of  

  clothes – I loved doing it and it was…

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Denise:  Oh sorry, excuse me, here's your tea Paul.

Paul:    Thanks Denise. Now Anna, it looks like you've achieved a lot during 

  your time at university. Could you give me an example of good team 

  working during your time there?

Denise:  Sorry! I forgot the sugar.

Paul:    Thank you Denise.

Anna:   Hmm, so you want an example? I was the treasurer of the debating 

  society at university. That was OK I suppose.

Narrator:  Come on Anna. Be more enthusiastic – the debating society is exciting!

Anna:   I mean… I'm particularly proud of how I organised the finances for the

debating society. We had a very small budget and I had to make decisions

 on what to buy.

Narrator:  I like it! "I'm particularly proud of" - Positive but not boasting. You're doing

  well.

Paul:    Very impressive – so you're a good planner Anna! We like organised people

  here... ooops, silly me. I seemed to have spilt tea over your CV.

Anna:   Oh, do you need some help?

Paul:    Oh no…I'm sure it'll dry out… carry on please…

Anna:   Also… timekeeping is important to me… 

Narrator:  "Timekeeping is important to me" – that's good!

Anna:   I always try to complete my work on time. At university I never 

  handed my assignments in late. 

Paul:    That's good to hear. We like punctuality here… 

Denise:  Excuse me Paul. Sorry it's a bit late – but I thought you might like a biscuit

  with your tea.

Paul:   Hmm thanks….oh lovely, custard creams… mmm. Now Hannah, finally I

wanted to ask you what exactly made you apply for this job at this

company?

Anna:   Errrr… ooo… well. The reason I applied is….

Narrator:  Yes, yes, yes Anna? Do you need a bit more time to think?

Anna:   Errr…mmm…

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Narrator:  What's she going to say? How would you answer that? Join us next time

  to find out. Before we go, here's a reminder of some of the great lines 

  Anna's used today…

A good example that comes to mind

I'm particularly proud of.

Timekeeping is important to me.

  Until next time, bye bye!

·  Listening comprehension question

What was Anna's role in the university debating society?

She was treasurer.