ESL/Dialogue practice: job interview

ESL Dialogue practice: Job Interview

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Update: Advanced job interview script and audio added Nov 27. See below.

Retail Sales Position Interview - Beginner English

Job Interviewer: Welcome. Call me Michael. Thank you for coming in today.

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Job Applicant: Hello, Michael. I am very glad to meet you. My name is ________.

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Job Interviewer: This is a sales position. Tell me why you are interested in this job.

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Job Applicant: I like working with people.

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Job Interviewer: Do you have any sales experience?

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Job Applicant: I do. I worked for my uncle in his grocery store.

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Job Interviewer: What did you like about working there?

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Job Applicant: I liked helping customers.

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Job Interviewer: How long did you work there?

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Job Applicant: I worked there three years.

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Job Interviewer: Why do you want this job?

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Job Applicant: I want to work for an established company. And I like your brand very much.

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Job Interviewer: Well, thank you. We offer excellent career opportunities, as well as benefits.

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Job Applicant: That is exactly what I am looking for.

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Job Interviewer: Tell me, what would you do if you had an angry customer?

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Job Applicant: I would let them know that I care about them and want to help.

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• note: modern English can use the pronoun "them" to refer to a single person, either male or female

Job Interviewer: And if you were unable to help?

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Job Applicant: I would ask them to wait a moment while I find the supervisor.

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Job Interviewer: Very good. Where do you expect to be in five years?

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Job Applicant: I want to advance in this position at this company.

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Job Interviewer: Well, we offer excellent career advancement opportunities. Do you have any questions for me?

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Job Applicant: Yes, what are the hours for this position?

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Job Interviewer: We need flexible hours. This job requires a strong commitment.

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Job Applicant: I am very flexible. I want to help out any way I can.

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Job Interviewer: Well, thank you for your interest in this position. We will be in touch soon.

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Job Applicant: Thank you for your time, Michael. It is very nice to meet you.

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Retail Sales Position Interview - Advanced English

Job Interviewer: Welcome. I am Michael. Thank you for coming in today.

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Job Applicant: Hello, Michael. I am very glad to meet you. My name is ________. I appreciate this opportunity to speak with you.

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Job Interviewer: We are looking at a very important position for our business. So why are you interested in this position as a Sales Representative?

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Job Applicant: I really enjoy working with people. And I believe in your product and your company. It would be an honor to represent you to your customers.

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Job Interviewer: Indeed, we are a people-based organization. We aim to please our customers. Do you have any experience in sales?

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Job Applicant: I do! When I was younger during school, I helped my uncle at his grocery store. It was a very friendly store. I liked helping the customers.

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Job Interviewer: How long were you there, what were your responsibilities, and why did you stop working there?

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Job Applicant: I stocked inventory, worked the cash register, and helped out in general. I worked there throughout my high school years. It was in my home country, so now I am looking for a career at an established company here in the U.S. I believe this is the direction and place for me. And I like your brand very much.

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Job Interviewer: Very good, and thank you for your enthusiasm for our brand. We offer excellent career opportunities, as well as health care and retirement benefits.

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Job Applicant: Fantastic. That is exactly what I am looking for.

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Job Interviewer: Tell me, what would you do if you were to encounter an angry customer?

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Job Applicant: I would let them know that I care about their concerns, and without interrupting them, I would let them explain their concerns.

• note: modern English can use the pronoun "them" to refer to a single person, either male or female

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Job Interviewer: And if you were unable to help? What would be the next steps?

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Job Applicant: I would ask them to please wait a moment while I find the supervisor. Then I would introduce them to the supervisor, explaining as openly as possible the customer's concerns or complaints.

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Job Interviewer: Very good. Where do you expect to be in five years? What kind of advancement interests you?

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Job Applicant: I am interested in a career here, so I want succeed in this position. I believe that a career follows hard work.

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Job Interviewer: Good to hear. We offer excellent career advancement opportunities. Do you have any questions for me?

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Job Applicant: Yes, could you tell me about the schedule for this position?

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Job Interviewer: We need flexibility and commitment. Do you have any trouble with a flexible schedule?

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Job Applicant: Not at all! I am very flexible, and I would expect it from this type of position. I want to help out any way I can. I am very committed to this career.

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Job Interviewer: Well, thank you for your interest in this position. We will review all our applicants and make a decision soon. We will be in touch with you then.

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Job Applicant: Thank you for your time, Michael. It is very nice to meet you. I look forward to hearing from you.

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