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

Task 2

Discussion

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Average: 4.2 (128 votes)
Hello Rashy This page is C1 Advanced level which is the most difficult level we have on the site. Have you tried the B1 Intermediate and B2 Upper Intermediate listenings? It could be a good idea to try those first and slowly build up to Advanced. If want to keep working at C1 level, have you tried reading the transcript as you listen? Good luck and let us know how it goes! Best wishes Jo LearnEnglish Team
Thanks for your reply I understand the other sanctions I was on begginers level when I started this course but in this sanctions I don't understand meaning of some words finds very difficult to understand and feel boring as well repeating the process hope to hear from you soon

Hello Rashy,

I would recommend the same thing as Jo: try a section with a lower level. You should be able to find the meanings of most words and phrases on this page in any good online dictionary such as the Cambridge Dictionary.

If there is a specific word or phrase or two that you can't find in the dictionary, we're happy to help, but please try the dictionary first.

All the best,

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

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Submitted by Aghaton on Mon, 24/08/2020 - 12:52

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Well, this is interesting .as on my side, I just have to get to know the company well before the appointment.lucky to me this always serves me a lot .plus logical questions that we all know . But I think getting to know the company in detail prior to the interview appointment day has been a success story as long as I can say in my life .Thank you team

Submitted by Babatunde on Sun, 26/07/2020 - 09:53

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This site has assisted me a lot since I joined it. Thanks for this opportunity given to people to develop themselves.

Hello Babatunde,

We are very pleased to hear this! Thanks for letting us know and keep up the good work.

All the best,

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by Ziya_Alishanli on Sun, 28/06/2020 - 15:10

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Till today I have got the 2 real and serious interviews, first in 2018 and the second one in 2019. Both of them were applying as a teacher to the online schools. Before my first interview I had been sent the instructions on how to get prepared, because actually that was not a usual interview - I must have prepared a lesson and led it. So, I read instructions and conditional, then I prepared the lesson, both interviews were successful.

Submitted by Saldave_2801 on Fri, 26/06/2020 - 00:23

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There are several activities postulants could do to ensure good performance in an interview. Personally I undertake the followings Practising by recording myself - Improve intonation, gestures and posture. Revising company website - get a review m whose will be your potential new employer. planning your commute - head off to be rushing And above all, feeling relaxed and knowledging the interviewer is another individual like you.
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Submitted by OlaIELTS on Mon, 25/05/2020 - 19:57

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I can prepare for an interview by following these steps below: - Getting detailed information about the interview process such as date, venue, time and duration. - Obtaining information on modalities and personnel to meet at the venue. - Having insights about the firm's vision, mission and objective. - Preparation to answer questions pertaining to job history, experience, roles, skills in relation to how it can improves prospect on the new job.

Submitted by yoyoraw on Mon, 04/05/2020 - 22:01

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I will probably make sure of preparing a good CV, and having the complete knowledge about the company, and being certain about whether I could manage to be in the work or not .