A job interview
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.
I have my own business, so I haven´t prepared for an interview, but I do have meetings with possible new clients (higher education). In those cases, I read about the person's role in the university, their CV, and gained some knowledge about the theme we were going to discuss.
How do I prepare for an interview?
When preparing for a job interview, I research the company to gain a deeper understanding of its mission, values, products, and services. Then, research on likely questions as contained in the job description and develop responses to common interview questions, highlighting relevant skills and experiences.
When preparing for an interview, I take a thoughtful and strategic approach to ensure I show up informed, confident, and ready to connect:
Prepare thoughtful questions – I come ready with 2–3 questions that show genuine interest in the role, such as asking about team dynamics, success metrics, or growth opportunities.
This preparation helps me walk into interviews feeling focused, authentic, and ready to make a strong impression.
When preparing for an interview, I follow a structured approach. I start by researching the company, its mission, values, services, and recent updates, so I can align my answers with what they’re looking for. I carefully review the job description and match it with my relevant skills and past experiences.
I also prepare for both traditional and behavioral questions using the STAR method and practice a strong personal introduction to clearly highlight who I am and what I bring to the role. I think of thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer to show my interest and engagement.
If it’s a virtual interview, I test my internet, camera, and environment ahead of time. If it’s in person, I plan my route to arrive early. I always dress professionally and review my resume to ensure I’m ready to speak confidently about my background.
Finally, I take time to calm my mind, stay positive, and after the interview, I follow up with a thank-you note to leave a lasting impression.
When I go to a job interview I try to research about the company ), what are its mission, vission, organization and values. In addition, I should be prepared to answer questions about my qualification, preview jobs experiences, values and how I can contribute to the company's grow and development.
I prepare myself for a job interview, having researched the company for which I am applying. I try to understand the culture of this company, including its mission, vision, and values, and how I can contribute if I am contracted by them. I also use to make rehearsals with mock tests using AI.
To prepare for an interview, I first take a moment to centre myself and reduce stress, usually by taking a few deep breaths. Once I feel calm, I begin researching common interview questions and strategies by watching mock interviews and expert advice on platforms like YouTube or LinkedIn. I take notes on useful phrases, body language tips, and common pitfalls.
After that, I shift to active practice: I simulate interview scenarios, sometimes alone and sometimes using AI tools to generate questions. This helps me refine my answers, build confidence, and reduce the chance of making mistakes. The goal is not to memorise answers, but to respond thoughtfully and naturally even under pressure.
I agree with the comments about researching about the company, I believe its a key topic because you can show proactivity and confidence. And knowing about it is always better because you can speak freely with knowledge and a good understanding. You can think about your soft skills and talk about what of them fit better in role that you are looking to execute.
Discussion:
To prepare for an interview, I usually start by learning more about the company or institution. I review the job description carefully and think about how my skills and experience match the position. I also prepare answers to common interview questions and practice speaking clearly. The day before, I choose my clothes, make sure I have all the necessary documents, and try to get a good night’s sleep.
I think is really important to look information about the company where you want to apply, this will help you to have an idea about the company his goals and experience. Another aspect that I consider for an interview is to have clarity about why you want the position and what could be the new things that you coul offer to the company.