Guest
Practice exercises: Daniel makes some classic mistakes in his interview. Transcript Marcia Boardman: Good morning Daniel! Daniel: Dan, please... Marcia Boardman: I'm Marcia Boardman -- we spoke on the phone -- and this is Philip Hart, our CEO. Philip Hart: Hello! Daniel: Nice to meet you both. Philip Hart: So it says here on your CV that you're interested in rock climbing... Daniel: it! Philip Hart: Great -- so do I! When did you last go climbing? Daniel: Oh, er, well, it was a while ago now... Philip Hart: Anywhere interesting? Daniel: Yeah. I walked up the hill behind my house. Took me about thirty minutes! Philip Hart: Oh. Marcia Boardman: Ok, erm, Daniel, can you tell us a little bit about your current position? Daniel: Certainly -- as it says in the CV, I'm part of the European Sales team at Networld. We're the world's leading supplier of IT hardware. Philip Hart: Why do you want to move on? Daniel: Well, they're too small for me. Marcia Boardman: Networld!? Networld are too small for you? Daniel: Oh yeah. I'm looking for something much bigger. Philip Hart: Well, we're not a big company by any means, but we are looking to grow! What first attracted you to WebWare in particular? Daniel: Well, I see WebWare as kind of like a stepping stone... Marcia Boardman: Sorry? Daniel: Yeah, start here gain the necessary experience, then move onto something bigger. Philip Hart: , I do admire your ambition! Daniel: Thanks -- I've got lots of it! Marcia Boardman: Let's move on to managing people. Can you give an example of a time when you had to deal with a particularly difficult managee? Daniel: Sure -- well I think that's one of my strong points actually. A couple of years ago, I was working with a guy, he wasn't pulling his weight, basically being lazy -- so I told him to get out. Marcia Boardman: Oh, you didn't give him a performance review, or a warning, or perhaps try to help develop his motivation? Daniel: No,no, no. None of that rubbish. If someone's not working hard enough, then they're out! That's the way I work. I'm a hard man. Marcia Boardman: I see. Philip Hart: How would you handle a rapidly changing market? Daniel: Basically not change anything at all! Just continue on as normal regardless! Marcia Boardman: According to your CV you are fluent in Mandarin... Daniel: Well, I wouldn't say 'fluent' , I like Chinese food a lot -- so I can read the menu! Philip Hart: So you can't actually speak the language? Daniel: Erm, no. Marcia Boardman: Can you tell us about a time you had to close a particularly challenging deal. Daniel: I haven't had one. They're all easy for me. I close deals all the time! Marcia Boardman: Ok -- well do you have any questions for us? Daniel: No. Philip Hart: Oh. Ok. Erm. Thanks. Marcia Boardman: Let's move on to the presentation... To get this and many other great audio and video series on your phone or tablet, with interactive audioscripts, keyword glossaries and comprehension exercises, download our “LearnEnglish Audio & Video“ app from the iTunes App Store or Google Play ().
