01 - The Interview
Language for interviews
Tip Top Trading is the fastest-growing company in the plastic fruit sector, and Anna desperately wants to be a part of it. Her job interview for a position in sales is going to be a challenge. How will she cope?
Intermediate · 160706 · 2016-07-06
Tip Top Trading is the fastest-growing company in the plastic fruit sector, and Anna desperately wants to be a part of it. Her job interview for a position in sales is going to be a challenge. How will she cope? This programme focuses on useful language for job interviews.
1. A good example that comes to mind...
US Revised: A good example that comes to mind...
2. I'm particularly proud of...
US Revised: I'm particularly proud of...
3. Timekeeping is important to me.
US Revised: Punctuality is important to me.
1. Narrator
Hold tight please! This is Anna, on a bus going to an interview for a job as a sales executive at Tip Top Trading – one of London's fastest growing companies. How are you feeling Anna?
US Revised: Hang tight! This is Anna, on a bus going to an interview for a job as a sales executive at Tip Top Trading - one of London's fastest-growing companies. How are you feeling Anna?
2. Anna
Oh, a little nervous but I really want this job.
US Revised: Oh, a little nervous but I really want this job.
3. Narrator
Well don't worry Anna, as long as you say the right things, you'll be fine.
US Revised: Well don't worry Anna, as long as you say the right things, you'll be fine.
4. Anna
The right things!? Like what?
US Revised: The right things!? Like what?
5. Narrator
You need to sell yourself, be confident, not arrogant and give examples. Like: A good example that comes to mind. I'm particularly proud of. Timekeeping is important to me.
US Revised: You need to sell yourself, be confident, not arrogant and give examples. Like: A good example that comes to mind. I'm particularly proud of. Punctuality is important to me.
6. Anna
Oh right. Thanks. Perhaps you can come with me?
US Revised: Oh right. Thanks. Perhaps you can come with me?
7. Narrator
Sorry Anna, you're on your own now – but we'll be listening in. Look! You've just arrived. Good luck!
US Revised: Sorry Anna, you're on your own now - but we'll be listening in. Look! You've just arrived. Good luck!
8. Paul
Come in. Hello, I'm Paul, the Manager of Tip Top Trading. And you must be….?
US Revised: Come in. Hello, I'm Paul, the Manager of Tip Top Trading. And you must be....?
9. Anna
It's Anna.
US Revised: It's Anna.
10. Paul
Yes, very good. Thanks for coming. Now somewhere in this pile, I've got your CV…
US Revised: Yes, very good. Thanks for coming. Now somewhere in this pile, I've got your resume...
11. Anna
Err, is that it there?
US Revised: Uh, is that it there?
12. Paul
Oh yes, thanks Hannah. Your qualifications look impressive but what sales experience can you bring to our company?
US Revised: Oh yes, thanks Hannah. Your qualifications look impressive but what sales experience can you bring to our company?
13. Anna
I worked in a shop once.
US Revised: I worked in a store once.
14. Narrator
Ohhh Anna! Sell yourself. Give a good example!
US Revised: Ohhh Anna! Sell yourself. Give a good example!
15. Anna
Oh right…mmm….well a good example that comes to mind is when I was involved with a campaign to promote and sell a new range of clothes – I loved doing it and it was…
US Revised: Oh right...mmm....well a good example that comes to mind is when I was involved with a campaign to promote and sell a new range of clothes - I loved doing it and it was...
16. Denise
Oh sorry, excuse me, here's your tea Paul.
US Revised: Oh sorry, excuse me, here's your tea Paul.
17. Paul
Thanks Denise. Now Anna, it looks like you've achieved a lot during your time at university. Could you give me an example of good team working during your time there?
US Revised: Thanks Denise. Now Anna, it looks like you've achieved a lot during your time at university. Could you give me an example of good team working during your time there?
18. Denise
Sorry! I forgot the sugar.
US Revised: Sorry! I forgot the sugar.
19. Paul
Thank you Denise.
US Revised: Thank you Denise.
20. Anna
Hmm, so you want an example? I was the treasurer of the debating society at university. That was OK I suppose.
US Revised: Hmm, so you want an example? I was the treasurer of the debating society at university. That was okay, I suppose.
21. Narrator
Come on Anna. Be more enthusiastic – the debating society is exciting!
US Revised: Come on Anna. Be more enthusiastic - the debating society is exciting!
22. Anna
I mean… I'm particularly proud of how I organised the finances for the debating society. We had a very small budget and I had to make decisions on what to buy.
US Revised: I mean... I'm particularly proud of how I organized the finances for the debating society. We had a very small budget and I had to make decisions on what to buy.
23. Narrator
I like it! "I'm particularly proud of" - Positive but not boasting. You're doing well.
US Revised: I like it! "I'm particularly proud of" - Positive but not boasting. You're doing well.
24. Paul
Very impressive – so you're a good planner Anna! We like organised people here... ooops, silly me. I seemed to have spilt tea over your CV.
US Revised: Very impressive - so you're a good planner Anna! We like organized people here... ooops, silly me. I seemed to have spilled tea over your resume.
25. Anna
Oh, do you need some help?
US Revised: Oh, do you need some help?
26. Paul
Oh no…I'm sure it'll dry out… carry on please…
US Revised: Oh no...I'm sure it'll dry out... carry on please...
27. Anna
Also… timekeeping is important to me…
US Revised: Also... punctuality is important to me...
28. Narrator
"Timekeeping is important to me" – that's good!
US Revised: "Punctuality is important to me" - that's good!
29. Anna
I always try to complete my work on time. At university I never handed my assignments in late.
US Revised: I always try to complete my work on time. At university I never handed my assignments in late.
30. Paul
That's good to hear. We like punctuality here…
US Revised: That's good to hear. We like punctuality here...
31. Denise
Excuse me Paul. Sorry it's a bit late – but I thought you might like a biscuit with your tea.
US Revised: Excuse me Paul. Sorry it's a bit late - but I thought you might like a cookie with your tea.
32. Paul
Hmm thanks….oh lovely, custard creams… mmm. Now Hannah, finally I wanted to ask you what exactly made you apply for this job at this company?
US Revised: Hmm thanks....oh lovely, custard creams... mmm. Now Hannah, finally I wanted to ask you what exactly made you apply for this job at this company?
33. Anna
Errrr… ooo… well. The reason I applied is….
US Revised: Errrr... ooo... well. The reason I applied is....
34. Narrator
Yes, yes, yes Anna? Do you need a bit more time to think?
US Revised: Yes, yes, yes Anna? Do you need a bit more time to think?
35. Anna
Errr…mmm…
US Revised: Errr...mmm...
36. Narrator
What's she going to say? How would you answer that? Join us next time to find out. Before we go, here's a reminder of some of the great lines Anna's used today… A good example that comes to mind I'm particularly proud of. Timekeeping is important to me. Until next time, bye bye!
US Revised: What's she going to say? How would you answer that? Join us next time to find out. Before we go, here's a reminder of some of the great lines Anna's used today... A good example that comes to mind I'm particularly proud of. Punctuality is important to me. Until next time, bye bye!
Question
What was Anna's role in the university debating society?
Answer
She was treasurer.