A job interview

A job interview

Listen to the job interview to practise and improve your listening skills.

Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.

Preparation

Transcript

Interviewer: Hello, Maria. Thanks for coming in for the interview.

Maria: It's my pleasure. Thanks for inviting me.

Interviewer: Well, as you know, the company has been expanding and we have an opening in our HR department. We're creating a new role for someone to lead our training and development within the company.

Maria: Yes, I very much think that my skills and experience are a good fit for what you're looking for.

Interviewer: That sounds great. So, your CV looks strong, though it would be good if you could give us an overview, in your own words, of what you've been doing over the past four years or so.

Maria: Well, in my first job, four years ago, I was working for a small HR services provider which offered HR services, including L&D, to corporate clients.

Interviewer: OK, so it was only B2B?

Maria: Yes, we only offered services to other companies, not B2C.

Interviewer: Right, and it says here you then left that company about three years ago.

Maria: Yes, that's right. I was looking for a little more stability and also to be part of a larger organisation. So I joined a company with around one hundred staff and a small HR team. As there are only a few of us, we each deal with a range of HR topics. In addition to payroll, one of the areas I was responsible for was learning and development.

Interviewer: I see. And, so why do you want to change jobs now?

Maria: Well, I very much like the L&D side of my role and I've always had particularly good feedback for my work in this area. I believe I excel in that field. So, I'm looking to specialise, and as your company has around 2,000 people, right …? 

Interviewer: Yes, that's right.

Maria: Well, an organisation of this size would give me the scope to specialise in L&D. I'm also a big follower of your brand and feel fully aligned with your image and values.

Interviewer: Well, that all sounds good. And I can see you have an L&D qualification.

Maria: Yes, I got a diploma two years ago. I am also currently working on a further diploma in psychology, with a specific focus on learning and performance management.

Interviewer: Very good. Well, it looks like you have the qualifications and experience we're looking for. What do you think will be the main challenges of coming to a much larger company?

Maria: I can see that it might be perceived as a weakness to not have experience in an organisation of this size, though I see that it could also be a benefit. I won't be bringing too many preconceived and possibly inflexible ideas with me to the role.  

Interviewer: Yes, that would be a good thing.

Maria: Also, I'm used to taking a very personal approach to employee development. I realise that such an approach with 2,000 staff members will have to happen in a different way, but I bring many ideas with me that can be replicated on a larger scale.

Interviewer: I see what you mean. Right, so, do you have any questions for me?

Maria: Um, I think we've covered many of the areas I had wanted to address. I have two quick questions though.

Interviewer: Go on.

Maria: Who would I mostly work with on a daily basis?

Interviewer: Well, there's the HR manager who you would report to. And then the HR team, which currently has six people in it. There's usually an intern or two who you can get some support from also.

Maria: OK. Thanks. That's all really clear. And my other question is how performance in this role will be measured. What does success look like?

Interviewer: That's a good question. As you know, we have a performance management system in place, and from that we have identified some learning and development needs within the organisation. But we haven't devised a strategy. Your role would be to devise and then successfully implement this strategy.

Maria: Thank you. That sounds interesting.  

Interviewer: Great. So, thanks again for coming in today. We'll be discussing all candidates next week and then I'll get back to you by the end of next week to let you know the outcome.

Maria: Thank you for your time. I'd welcome the opportunity to continue discussing this role with you.

Task 1

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Discussion

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Average: 4.2 (128 votes)

Submitted by MUHAMMAD ALIF … on Thu, 19/09/2019 - 08:01

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I have completed the following lessons of A job interview, Introverts – redressing the balance, and Innovation in business. The level that I chose was Advance C1 Listening.

Submitted by eleh on Mon, 09/09/2019 - 19:19

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I always prepare for interviews. Firstly, I write any questions which I can ask about future job. Secondly, I choose suitable clothes for the interview because the first impression is very important.

Submitted by Alaamajed on Sun, 18/08/2019 - 08:11

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Before one day of the interview ; firstly, I wirte all expected questions and prepare strong and convincing answers for them . Secondly, I wake up earlly to be ready and calm and choose suitable clothes for that .
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Submitted by Caterina Siligardi on Wed, 07/08/2019 - 15:27

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I don't ready for this kind of conversation. I never had that kind of job interview .

Submitted by Sulfi Muchtar on Wed, 05/06/2019 - 11:04

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Anyone know how to download podcast here?
Hello Sulfi Muchtar If you use a computer to access the page, you can right-click on the audio player and choose the 'Save as' option. I believe you should be able to download the audio on a mobile device as well, though how exactly you do that depends on the browser and operating system. All the best Kirk The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by Ely Princess on Wed, 15/05/2019 - 11:57

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Dear Dr Jeyhun, I thank you for this meaningful lesson. I learnt not just how to respond to questions from the interviewer but also how to inform about me being a valuable asset for the company. When preparing for an interview, I carry out researches on the company or organization, its missions, vision, objectives and goal. Depending on the TOR of the job, I will measure the shortcomings and present a possible way out. At the end, I will express my desire to learn from my immediate supervisor and fellow colleagues givent eh environment will be new to me.

Submitted by chenyy on Thu, 25/04/2019 - 09:33

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This transcript is about the interview skills, teaching how to achieve a good interview, now I am working in a foreign company, but I would like to improve my English skills to jump out the current comfort zone. This might be useful for my next career interview.