The job interview: Easy English Story (Level 3) with Audio

Level 3 Story 5 of 16 · 192 words · intermediate (B1)

Key words

applied for formally asked for (a job)
supervisor a person who manages a team
logistics moving and storing goods
keen to eager to
tracked it down found it after searching

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Retell the story in your own words in 4 or 5 sentences. Say it out loud, or write it down. Then read the story again and check what you missed.

The job interview

Graded story, level 3 · englishcoaching.co

1. Vocabulary: write the meaning

applied for: ________________________
supervisor: ________________________
logistics: ________________________
keen to: ________________________
tracked it down: ________________________

2. Questions

How many jobs had Carlos applied for?
☐ About ten ☐ More than thirty ☐ Just one
Which question did Carlos find hardest?
☐ Why do you want this job? ☐ Tell me about a time when you solved a problem ☐ Do you have any questions?
What did Carlos change in his example?
☐ His team ☐ The checking process ☐ The customer
What advice had his friend given?
☐ Always ask a question ☐ Don't smile ☐ Talk about salary

3. Talk or write about it

Retell the story in 4 or 5 sentences.

Transcript

Carlos had applied for more than thirty jobs since arriving in Perth, and finally he had an interview for a warehouse supervisor role.

The night before, he practised his answers out loud, especially the one he found hardest: "Tell me about a time when you solved a problem at work."

In the interview, the manager, Sharon, was friendly but direct. "So, Carlos, why do you want this job?"

"I've worked in logistics for eight years," he said, "and I enjoy leading a team. I'm also keen to build my career here in Australia."

Then came the difficult question. Carlos took a breath and told the story he had prepared: a delivery had gone missing, he had tracked it down, contacted the customer and changed the checking process so it didn't happen again.

Sharon nodded and wrote some notes. "That's a great example. Do you have any questions for us?"

Carlos remembered his friend's advice: always ask something. "What does a typical day look like for the team?"

A week later, his phone rang. It was Sharon, offering him the job. He was so excited that he almost forgot to say thank you.

Answers: 1. More than thirty · 2. Tell me about a time when you solved a problem · 3. The checking process · 4. Always ask a question

Frequently asked questions

What level is the story 'The job interview'?

Level 3, intermediate (B1). It has 192 words, with audio, key words and a quiz.

Can I listen to this English story?

Yes. Press Play and each sentence is read aloud and highlighted, so you can read and listen at the same time. Choose Slow speed if you're a beginner.

Which words will I learn?

applied for, supervisor, logistics, keen to, tracked it down.