Listening Practice: Job interview

Before you listen, make sure that you check the wordlist below:

policy: a planned or agreed course of action usually based on particular principles
hold up: to stop or slow the progress of something.
freelance: a person who is working on his own, not for any one employer
campaign: the operations of an army while fighting in one area for one purpose
account: an arrangement by which person keeps his money in a bank
pension: a sum of money paid regularly to a widow, a person who has retired from work
stock: common, usual
subordinate: lower in rank, power, importance
handle: the part of an object by which it may be held or grasped
enrolment: enrol, to add
manual: a handnbook eg of technical information about a machine


A-Before you listen, think about following questions:

1) What kind of questions are asked in a job interview?
2) How should tone of voice be during the conversation?


B-Now listen and answer following questions:


1) Who applies for the job?

2) What kind of a work is it?
3) Is there a pension program?
4) Is there any matching of contributions on the company part?
5) What about 401(k)?
6) How long would each trip last?
7) How much time he would be travelling?

C- After you listen fill the blanks in the text and check your listening

W: Well, Miles, how are you holding up?

M: Fine. I had a very ...........(1) talk with Mr. Donald.

W: Good. What more can I tell you about our ............(2) and the position?

M: I am pretty clear about the job itself. But I'd like to know something about ...........(3) policy.

W: Go ............(4). That's what I am here for.

M: Great. As I told you earlier I have been doing something on my own. Does your company have a .........(5) about freelance.

W: Yes we do. Generally, we require that our employees limit their ............(6) work to the project unrelated to company.

M: Where would you draw the line?

W: For example. Giving ...................(7) speech is fine. On the other hand, developing advertising compaign for other company would be unacceptable.

M: OK. That makes sense. You mentioned ..........(8)earlierDo you have any idea of how much time I would be travelling?W: We are expanding into new markets. To begin with, I expect frequent trips to Europe at least once a month.

M: How long would each .......(9) last?

W: I couldn’t really say until we were deeply involved.

M: I am just looking for a ball park...........(10)
W: In the beginning, as usual developing a new account, I say the trips will last one to two weeks.

M: So I would be spending half a year travelling.W: That’s just starting out. I say that within five to six months we have things set up so that you can pull back and let your subordinates handle most of the easy travels.

M: That sounds fine. Could we talk about benefits for a moment?

W: Of course. Cool Beans offers full range of health benefits as well as stock options for employees.

M: Is there a ..............(11)

W: No. Not a pension per se. But we do offer a 401(k) plan.M: Is there any matching of contributions on the company part?

W: Yes. Up to 5% of your salary.

M: And when would the ..........(12) begin?

W: With exception of 401(k) plan, you will be eligible the date you start working here.

M: What about 401(k)?

W: Enrolment in that is quarterly. So you would be able to enrol within 3 months at the most from date of hire.

M: Ok. Finally, can you tell me about your vacation policy?W: Full time employees receive 2 weeks pay vacation after the first year. After 5 years, it goes up to 3 weeks.

M: I think that has answered most my ..............(13)
W: I’ll help you later get a copy of our employee manual. It outlines all the benefits and it explains company policies. You can review it at your leisure.

M: Thank you. If any other question occurs, may I call you?W: Of course, call me anytime.

M: Thank you very much for your time. Would you get in touch with me or should I call you?

W: We will contact you within two weeks.

M: Fine. I look forward to hearing from you.

W: Thanks for your coming, Mr Miles. I enjoyed talking to you.

M: I enjoyed it too. I hope to see you again. Good bye.

W: Good bye.

ANSWERS


A-1) The man.


2) It's a freelance work

3) No, there is not

4) Yes. Up to 5% of his salary.

5) Enrolment in that is quarterly.

6) One or two weeks

7) Once in a month


B-1 interesting

2-company

3-company

4-ahead

5-policy

6-freelance

7-motivational

8-europe

9-trip

10-figure

11-pension programme

12-benefit

13-questions