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.

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Submitted by nikoslado on Wed, 24/03/2021 - 10:00

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Dear Team, I've already signed up for the ''self-access courses'', with a 5,99 per month payment, but I can't know how to have access to this course, there isn't any way to see this specific stuff, but only a description and some information about it. Additionally, there isn't any possibility for direct contact as, for example, we can have with your Team. Do you know, how this all works, or could you give any advice about it? Thankful to all of you, Nikos

Hi nikoslado,

Do you see a 'My Coursework' button near the British Council logo at top of the page? If you click on that, and then 'Find a course', you'll see the list of courses to choose from. Then, clicking 'Start' will enrol you on a course.

If you encounter any problems, there is a 'Help' button in the bottom-right corner.

I hope that helps! Thanks for signing up, and we hope you enjoy the content.

Jonathan

The LearnEnglish Team

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Submitted by El Cuy Mágico on Tue, 09/02/2021 - 20:14

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Well, before an interview I try to read as much as I can about the company, you know the company’s history, the values, mission and so on. Then I watch some videos about tips or common questions in works interview. And as I feel nervous at the very moment before an interview I try to be early then I use to read my CV and practice some answers. I feel fully comfortable following this steps.

Submitted by Sam_Xavier on Fri, 22/01/2021 - 10:51

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Hi, I got a bit confused with the second question. The question asks "Maria has been in her current job for"?. In the recording, Maria said she got her first job 4years ago and the interviewer affirms she left her first job 3 years ago. Doesn't that mean she has been in that job for one year? Please I need some clarifications. Thanks.
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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

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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.
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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