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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Average: 4.2 (129 votes)
Profile picture for user Kirk Moore

Submitted by Kirk Moore on Fri, 22/01/2021 - 13:43

In reply to by Sam_Xavier

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Hello Sam_Xavier,

I can see how could be confusing, but it's correct. Let's say that this interview happened now in 2021. Maria started working in her old job 4 years ago (2017). Then, 3 years ago (2018), she left her old job for her current job. She is still working in that current job, and has been working there for 3 years.

Does that make sense?

All the best,

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Profile picture for user Hennadii

Submitted by Hennadii on Wed, 13/01/2021 - 09:48

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How to prepare for an interview? Here are some tips from me. Firstly, I reread my CV to recall what I've written there)) Then, I search on the Internet all available information about my target company. Of course, I try to find some if I know someone in that company to get useful information about who will interview me, how to behave and what salary to ask. Obviously, I try to predict future questions about my experience, the reason for job changing and so. It's a good point to refresh your language skills if the position demands this knowledge. Maybe read some articles about job interview on foreign language on the Internet etc. I always come to the interview place early to get some time to relax, calm down stress and rise my concentration and fighting spirit.

Submitted by sonlenfq on Wed, 06/01/2021 - 01:35

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Before the interview, I'm always trying to remember knowlege. and research about a company I apply to.

Submitted by Ilenias on Sun, 03/01/2021 - 14:54

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Before a job interview, I always collect information about the company, in particular, its core mission, values, and the projects they are currently working on. Sometimes I also collect information about the HR manager of the company on LinkedIn to find out if we share common interests or values.
Profile picture for user jogrereco

Submitted by jogrereco on Fri, 01/01/2021 - 15:14

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This material is an excellent resource to teach and learn English. Thanks British Council.

Hello jogrereco,

Thanks for letting us know -- we're glad you find it useful!

Best wishes,

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by Lola Bernal on Sun, 27/12/2020 - 11:35

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I read about the company and try to learn as much as I can about the foundations and evolution. I look for companies whose values are aligned with my own so I place importance on the scanning process.

Submitted by bottom_gay on Mon, 21/12/2020 - 15:41

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Well, it's very interesting to have this kinda listening practice. It's hard yet chalenging. I've never been asked that kind of questions in my interview experience.

Submitted by Suane Alves on Thu, 17/12/2020 - 17:40

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If I had an interview, I would be very nervous and try to have some answers already done. I will see videos and ask other peoples what is the principal questions in an interview for me to be prepared.

Submitted by Enrique Rangel on Sat, 12/12/2020 - 01:06

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For an interview... well normally I study a little about the company, products, services, values. After that I prepare my summary and talk with my self in order to ask me questions and hear my own answers.