ESL Listening Exercise: The Job Interview

Introduction

Job interviews are a crucial part of finding employment. Knowing how to answer common interview questions, express your skills and experience, and communicate professionally will help you succeed in any job interview.

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
✔️ Improve your listening comprehension
✔️ Learn common phrases for job interviews
✔️ Understand how to answer interview questions confidently
✔️ Practice real-life conversation skills for job interviews

Let’s get started!

Step 1: Listen to the Conversation

🎧 Instructions:

  1. Listen carefully to the job interview conversation between an interviewer and a job applicant.
  2. Pay attention to how the applicant introduces themselves, answers questions, and asks about the job.
  3. After listening, answer the comprehension questions below.

📌 Audio Script (The Job Interview Conversation)

Interviewer: Good morning, James. Thank you for coming in today.

James: Good morning! Thank you for having me.

Interviewer: Let’s start with a few questions. Can you tell me about yourself?

James: Sure! I recently graduated with a degree in Business Administration. I have experience working in customer service, and I enjoy helping people.

Interviewer: That’s great! Why do you want to work at our company?

James: I admire your company’s focus on customer satisfaction. I also believe my communication skills and experience would make me a great fit for this role.

Interviewer: What are your strengths?

James: I’m a strong communicator, a fast learner, and I work well in a team.

Interviewer: Those are great qualities. Do you have any questions for me?

James: Yes! What are the next steps in the hiring process?

Interviewer: We’ll review applications this week and contact you soon.

James: Sounds good! Thank you for your time.

Interviewer: You’re welcome, James. Have a great day!

Step 2: Comprehension Questions

Test your listening skills by answering the following questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

  1. What is James applying for?
    a) A university program
    b) A job at a company
    c) A volunteer position
    d) A training course
  2. What did James study in college?
    a) Computer Science
    b) Business Administration
    c) Marketing
    d) Engineering
  3. Why does James want to work at the company?
    a) He needs a job immediately
    b) He likes the company’s focus on customer satisfaction
    c) He has friends who work there
    d) He wants a high salary
  4. What are James’ strengths?
    a) He is good at math and science
    b) He is a strong communicator, a fast learner, and a team player
    c) He prefers working alone
    d) He is an expert in computer programming
  5. What question does James ask the interviewer?
    a) What are the job responsibilities?
    b) When will I receive my first paycheck?
    c) What are the next steps in the hiring process?
    d) Can I start working tomorrow?

(Answer Key: 1-b, 2-b, 3-b, 4-b, 5-c)

Step 3: Vocabulary Practice

Here are some important words and phrases from the conversation. Learn their meanings and practice using them in sentences.

Word/PhraseMeaningExample Sentence
Job interviewA formal meeting to discuss a job positionI have a job interview on Monday morning.
Customer serviceHelping and assisting customersI worked in customer service for two years.
StrengthsA person’s best skills or qualitiesOne of my strengths is problem-solving.
Hiring processThe steps a company takes to find new employeesThe hiring process includes an interview and training.
Fast learnerSomeone who learns new skills quicklyI am a fast learner and can adapt easily to new tasks.

✅ Exercise:
Fill in the blanks using the vocabulary words above.

  1. I have a _______ tomorrow, so I need to prepare my answers.
  2. One of my _______ is that I can work well under pressure.
  3. The company’s _______ is very organized and helpful.
  4. He got the job because he is a _______ and understands things quickly.
  5. The _______ at this company includes two interviews and a final decision.

(Answer Key: 1. job interview, 2. strengths, 3. customer service, 4. fast learner, 5. hiring process)

Step 4: Grammar Focus – Answering Job Interview Questions

When answering job interview questions, it’s important to use clear and professional language.

Common Ways to Answer Job Interview Questions:

  • Tell me about yourself.
    • I recently graduated with a degree in [your field]. I have experience in [your work experience], and I enjoy [your interests related to work].
  • Why do you want to work here?
    • I admire this company’s values and believe my skills align with this role.
  • What are your strengths?
    • I am a strong communicator, a fast learner, and I work well under pressure.

Practice Exercise:

Complete the sentences using the correct response format.

  1. Tell me about yourself.
    • I recently _______ with a degree in _______.
  2. Why do you want to work here?
    • I admire _______ and believe my skills _______.
  3. What are your strengths?
    • I am a _______ and a _______.

(Example Answers: 1. graduated, Business Administration. 2. this company’s mission, are a great fit for this role. 3. strong communicator, fast learner.)

Step 5: Discussion Questions

Practice speaking by discussing these questions with a friend or writing down your answers.

  1. Have you ever had a job interview? How did it go?
  2. What do you think are the most important qualities for a job?
  3. How would you answer the question, “Tell me about yourself”?
  4. What are some common mistakes people make in job interviews?
  5. If you could have any job in the world, what would it be and why?

Step 6: Writing Challenge

✍ Creative Writing Exercise
Imagine you are preparing for a job interview. Write a short introduction about yourself that you would say in an interview.

🔹 Example Start:
“Hello, my name is Alex. I recently graduated with a degree in Marketing. I have two years of experience in customer service, where I developed strong communication and problem-solving skills. I am passionate about helping businesses grow, and I believe my skills make me a great fit for this role.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I introduce myself in a job interview?

You can say:

  • Hello, my name is [your name]. I recently graduated with a degree in [your field].
  • I have experience working in [your previous job/industry].

2. How do I answer “What are your strengths?”

Some good responses include:

  • I am a strong communicator and work well under pressure.
  • I am a fast learner and can adapt to new situations easily.
  • I have excellent problem-solving skills.

3. What should I ask at the end of a job interview?

  • What are the next steps in the hiring process?
  • Can you tell me more about the company culture?
  • What skills are most important for this role?

4. How should I prepare for a job interview?

  • Research the company
  • Practice common interview questions
  • Dress professionally

5. What should I do if I’m nervous?

  • Take deep breaths before the interview
  • Practice with a friend
  • Stay positive and confident

Conclusion

This lesson helps you improve your listening, vocabulary, grammar, and speaking skills while learning how to prepare for a job interview in English.

✅ What’s Next?

  • Listen to the audio again and practice answering the questions.
  • Prepare a mock job interview with a friend.
  • Try writing your own job interview introduction in English!