Episode 05

Sarah goes for her interview. How do you think will she do?

Do the preparation task first. Then watch the video and do the exercises. You can also read the transcript.

Preparation

Transcript

Marcia: Hi, Sarah. I'm Marcia Boardman. We spoke on the phone ...

Sarah: Oh yes, I remember. I was having a bad day!

Marcia: ... and, erm, this is Philip Hart, our CEO.

Philip: Hello!

Sarah: Hello, it's very nice to meet you both. 

Philip: It says on your CV that you do voluntary work.

Sarah: Well, when I have time, yes! I do work at a centre for children with difficulties.

Philip: That must be very interesting.

Sarah: It's rewarding and challenging.

Marcia: Sarah, can you tell us a little bit about your current position?

Sarah: I'm assistant sales director for a chain of language schools.

Philip: So this post would be quite a change then.

Sarah: I don't think so, honestly, because the skills are the same, despite the product.

Marcia: Why are you thinking of moving on?

Sarah: Well, I've come as far as I can in my current position, I feel, and I'm 28 now and would love to take on some more responsibility.

Marcia: OK, um, let's move on to managing people. Can you give us an example of when you had to deal with a particularly difficult managee?

Sarah: Well, yes, I had two people working for me who didn't get along at all. They had no shared values, different temperaments and used to argue a lot. It looked like it was impossible for them to work together. So, I sat down with them and we talked about their differences and their problems, and after that things went much more smoothly.

Philip: How would you deal with a rapidly changing and uncertain global market?

Sarah: Oh, that's actually something I wanted to talk about in my presentation, but I'd say to stay flexible and to diversify markets and sales strategies.

Marcia: It says on your CV you speak French and Spanish.

Sarah: Yes, I do. I lived in both France and Spain for a while.

Philip: Any plans to learn other languages?

Sarah: I'd love to try!

Marcia: Erm, OK. Can you tell us about a time you had to close a particularly challenging deal?

Sarah: Well, the biggest contract I won – and the thing I'm most proud of professionally – was with a large university in India, to provide language training. The contract was full of technicalities and the client was very picky! But I still pulled it off.

Marcia: OK, erm, do you have any questions for us?

Sarah: Yes, about your ethical policy and your carbon footprint. I was wondering whether you are planning to reduce your carbon footprint and whether all your products are ethically sourced.

Philip: That's a very good question and that's something we're moving towards at the moment.

Marcia: OK, well, let's move on to the presentation.

Task 1

Task 2

Discussion

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Average: 3.9 (11 votes)
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Submitted by julio arnaud on Fri, 18/05/2018 - 17:03

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It shows how a candidate should behave in a job interview.

Submitted by nkom on Thu, 26/04/2018 - 20:07

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The video show an example of how one should prepare and behave on a job interview. I think Sarah will get the job, because she has made a great impression on the interviewers, showing great desire to work and the presence of the necessary skills.

Submitted by bestelectricsh… on Sun, 04/03/2018 - 22:22

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Sure. Mastering English might not be the only thing that can give us a plus value in the workplace or school/college. We do need other skills, like programming, design, and etc according to the job requirement we apply. Maybe if we major in Math, it should be good if we master Math. But of course, mastering English will absolutely be a plus for a person compared to those we don’t master English.

Submitted by Tomoaki Hachiya on Sun, 04/03/2018 - 14:45

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Probably she might be a good example of a candidate for a job, but I AM a perverse person, and I do think that she is too sober and square. If I were the CEO, I decline to hire her.

Submitted by arif maroof on Tue, 27/02/2018 - 11:34

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It was a good video . yes I think Sarah will get the job because she seem more talent and professional

Submitted by CINZIA VALENTI on Mon, 08/01/2018 - 14:27

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I think Sarah gives a very good impression; she is quite confident, positive and willing to improve her skills. I think she'll get that job.