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Level: B1

Job Interview (Applicant & Manager)

Answer common interview questions: experience, strengths, availability.

CEFR B1 · 294 words · ~2 min read · US English

๐Ÿ”Š Listen to this passage

๐Ÿ“– Open in interactive ESL Reader โ†’

In the reader, tap any word or sentence to hear it in English, translate it, or look up a definition.

Words to know

neighborhood
the area of a town or city where someone lives
register
the machine in a store that holds money and adds up sales
limited
small in amount; not as much as you want
responsibility
important jobs that you must do and take care of
skills
the things that you know how to do well
mistakes
things that you do wrong by accident
shifts
set periods of work time, such as morning or evening
typical
normal; like most days or things of its kind

Manager: Good morning, Sofia, and thanks for coming in today. Did you have any trouble finding the office?

Applicant: Good morning! No trouble at all โ€” the directions in your email were very clear. Thank you for taking the time to meet me.

Manager: My pleasure. So, to begin, tell me a little about yourself and your experience.

Applicant: Of course. I finished school two years ago, and since then I have been working part-time at a small cafรฉ in my neighborhood, where I take orders, handle the register, and open the shop on weekends.

Manager: That sounds like good preparation. Why do you want to leave the cafรฉ?

Applicant: I enjoy the work, but the hours are limited, and I am looking for a full-time position with more responsibility, where I can learn new skills and grow.

Manager: What would you say is your greatest strength?

Applicant: I stay calm under pressure. Saturday mornings at the cafรฉ are extremely busy, and I have learned to work quickly without making mistakes or losing my patience with customers.

Manager: And what about a weakness?

Applicant: Sometimes I find it difficult to say no, so I take on too many tasks at once. I am learning to ask for help earlier instead of waiting until the last minute.

Manager: That is an honest answer. This position includes some evening shifts โ€” would that be a problem for you?

Applicant: Not at all. Evenings and weekends both work fine for me.

Manager: Perfect. Do you have any questions for me before we finish?

Applicant: Yes, two. What does a typical day look like in this position, and how will you measure my success during the first three months?

Manager: Excellent questions. Let me walk you through it.

Check your understanding

  1. Where does Sofia work now?

    Show answer

    At a small cafรฉ โ€” Sofia says she has been working part-time at a small cafรฉ in her neighborhood.

  2. Why does Sofia want to leave the cafรฉ?

    Show answer

    She wants a full-time job with more responsibility โ€” Sofia says the hours are limited and she wants a full-time position with more responsibility.

  3. What weakness does Sofia describe?

    Show answer

    She takes on too many tasks at once โ€” Sofia says she finds it difficult to say no, so she takes on too many tasks at once.

  4. Sofia says she stays calm under pressure.

    Show answer

    True โ€” Sofia calls staying calm under pressure her greatest strength, even on busy Saturday mornings.

  5. Sofia had trouble finding the office.

    Show answer

    False โ€” Sofia says she had no trouble at all because the directions in the email were very clear.

โ† More Dialogs · All reading practice