Speak Business English Like an American » LESSON 28 - Job Interview 1

Job Interview 1

Donna, a Human Resources Manager, is interviewing Marina for a sales position.

Donna: Tell me about your most recent work experience.

Marina: Right now I'm between jobs. In my last position, I was a marketing associate at Comtek International. I was there for two and a half years.

Donna: I know I've heard of them, but I 'm drawing a blank right now. What do they do?

Marina: They produced international trade fairs. They were bought out last month by a much larger company and all of us were let go.

Donna: I see from your resume that you also worked in sales for the company.

Marina: Yes, that's right. It was a small company, so I wore many hats. It was very exciting.

Donna: What are you looking for in a job?

Marina: Well, I'm a real people person, so I would like to take a position where I have lots of interaction with different people.

Donna: Describe your ideal boss.

Marina: I work well with all different types of people. But I guess my ideal boss would be hands-off. I prefer to work independently and not to be micro-managed.

Donna: Tell me about a time when you had to think outside the box in your work.

Marina: When I was at Comtek, we didn't have any money to buy advertising. I put in place a program offering magazines a stand at the trade show in exchange for an advertisement in the magazine.

Donna: That sounds like a good idea! Tell me, what sparked your interest in our sales position?

Marina: I noticed from your job description that it requires a lot of interaction with the marketing department. I'm very interested in marketing, so I thought this would be a good stepping stone to a marketing position.

Donna: Yes, this would be a good way to get your foot in the door of the marketing department.

Idioms
  • between jobs
    → out of work; unemployed
    EXAMPLE: Barbara is between jobs right now. She hopes to find a new job soon.

    NOTE: Saying one is "between jobs" sounds better than saying one is "unemployed."

  • (to) draw a blank
    → to be unable to remember
    EXAMPLE: I can't remember the name of the hotel where we stayed in Budapest. I'm drawing a blank.
  • (to) buy out
    → to purchase an entire business or someone's share of the business
    EXAMPLE: When Victor's company was bought out by Microsoft, he was able to retire.
  • (to) let someone go
    → to fire someone
    EXAMPLE: Mepstein Industries let their accountant go after he made a major mistake calculating the company's tax bill.
  • (to) wear many hats
    → to perform many different job responsibilities; to play many different roles
    EXAMPLE: There are only five employees at our company, so we all have to wear many hats.
  • people person
    → somebody who likes working with people; a friendly person
    EXAMPLE: You're sure to like Paul. He's a real people person.
  • hands-off
    → not too involved; passive; not interested in managing details
    EXAMPLE: Don't worry, Chris won't get involved in all of your projects. He's a hands-off manager.
  • (to) micro-manage
    → to manage too closely; to be too involved in the details
    EXAMPLE: Heidi gets involved in every detail of her employees' work. She has a reputation for micro-managing.
  • (to) think outside the box
    → to think creatively; to think in a new and different way
    EXAMPLE: The small law firm is losing business to larger rivals. The firm needs to think outside the box and come up with some creative ways to market its services.

    NOTE: This expression is now overused. You will likely hear it, but you may not want to use it.

    ORIGIN: This phrase refers to a puzzle used by consultants in the 1970s and 1980s. To solve it, you must connect nine dots, using four straight lines drawn continuously. Your pen must never leave the paper. (The only solution to this puzzle is to draw lines outside the border of the box. Therefore, you must "think outside the box" to solve the puzzle).

  • (to) put in place
    → to establish; to start; to implement
    EXAMPLE: Next month, the company plans to put in place some new rules for filing expense reports.
  • (to) spark one's interest
    → to raise one's interest; to cause one to become interested in
    EXAMPLE: An article in the Wall Street Journal sparked Don's interest in investing in Brazil.
  • stepping stone
    → a way of advancing or getting to the next stage; a position, a product, or an activity that comes first and prepares the way for what will come next
    EXAMPLE: Jennifer views her position as a human resource manager as a stepping stone to a larger position within her company.
  • (to) get one's foot in the door
    → to get into an organization; to take a position with an organization that could lead to a bigger opportunity in the future
    EXAMPLE: Taking a job as a receptionist is one way to get your foot in the door of a company.
Practice The Idioms

Choose the best substitute for the phrase or sentence in bold:

  1. We received resumes from two candidates that sparked our interest. Please call them to arrange interviews.
    • a) will definitely be hired
    • b) aren't interesting
    • c) look promising
  2. I'm currently between jobs, but I'm confident I'll find something soon.
    • a) on vacation
    • b) employed
    • c) unemployed
  3. No wonder Carl is so good at sales. He's a real people person.
    • a) He's good with people.
    • b) He's good at his job.
    • c) He doesn't like people.
  4. Working at a small company with only four employees, Vijay is used to wearing many hats.
    • a) working much too hard
    • b) putting on a hat every morning
    • c) doing many different things at work
  5. Working as a summer intern is a good way to get your foot in the door with a company.
    • a) get a full-time job at a company
    • b) get promoted
    • c) make money over the summer
  6. Where does Wendy work? I know she told me, but I'm drawing a blank.
    • a) I wasn't listening
    • b) I can't remember
    • c) I promised not to tell anybody
  7. I suggest you take the sales analyst position. It's a stepping stone to a better position.
    • a) way to get a better job in the future
    • b) way to ensure you'll always be a sales analyst
    • c) way to guarantee you'll be the sales director next year
  8. Angela hardly ever sees her boss. He's hands-off.
    • a) He keeps his hands off her.
    • b) He doesn't manage her closely.
    • c) He has his hands in everything.
Answer Key
Practice The Idioms
  1. c
  2. c
  3. a
  4. c
  5. a
  6. b
  7. a
  8. b
Answer Key
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