Management job interview (English for Job Interviews)

MANAGEMENT JOB INTERVIEW (ENGLISH FOR JOB INTERVIEWS).  An activity meant for B2/C1 level students. Some of the vocabulary in this interview includes TAKE PRIDE IN – SNAZZY – LET GO (dismiss; fire) – REWARD – DRIVEN – APPEALING – CRUCIAL – BRING THE BEST OUT OF PEOPLE – REITERATE – A BACKUP PLAN

I –MANAGEMENT JOB INTERVIEW  (LISTENING INPUT)

Click the link below to listen to the job interview:

II – LANGUAGE CHECK – EXERCISE
Listen to the interview again and try to find words or expressions that mean the same as:

a) Trying extremely hard to achieve what you want ____________________
b) Make people behave in the best way that they can ___________________
c) Determination ________
d) An aim or purpose _____________________
e) A result or situation that you intend to achieve; aim; goal ____________________
f) Something given in exchange for excellent work, etc; prize ___________________
g) Fashionable and attractive ________________
h) A second plan that you can use if the original one does not work or fails ________
i) A clear and sudden understanding of a complicated problem or situation ________
j) Deal with something _________________________
k) I had to fire 4 people in our department ____________________________
l) Repeat a statement or opinion in order to make your meaning as clear as possible____
m) Vitally important; critical ________________
n) Attractive; interesting _________________
o) Do something carefully and well ________________

III – KEY TO EXERCISE

a. Driven     b. Bring the best out of people     c. Drive     d. Goal     e. Target     f. Reward     g. Snazzy     h. A backup plan     i. Insight     j. Approach     k. I had to let 4 people go in our department  l. Reiterate     m. Crucial     n. Appealing     o. Take pride in

IV – INTERVIEW SCRIPT

Management Interview

Interviewer: So, I see from your résumé that you have over 7 years of managing experience? How would your colleagues describe your managing style?
Interviewee: I would have to say that they would describe me as open, fairly balanced and driven. I like to bring the best out of people.
Interviewer: Can you give me an example of how your drive improved the performance of your workers.
Interviewee: We had to improve our numbers by 12% in a 6 month period. It was going to be quite a challenge. First, I held a meeting to clearly define our goals for that period. I then gave each department a point system. If they achieved their targets every month, they would accumulate points. If they met all their goals, then we would have our 12 % target at the 6 month point. The reward was a snazzy dinner paid by the company at one of the best restaurants in the city. I still had a backup plan to reward them even if they worked hard but didn’t achieve the goal.
Interviewer: So you believe in rewarding even though they didn’t make their target?
Interviewee: Absolutely. Goals are absolutely pertinent, but if they feel that their work only has merit if its countable by numbers only, then I feel they will lose motivation.
Interviewer: Hmm, interesting insight. Have you ever had to fire an employee and if so, how did you approach the situation?
Interviewee: I have to say, that was the most difficult part of the job, but at times a necessary part. I had to let 4 people go in our department because of budget cuts. I met with each one personally. I made sure to point out all their successes and reiterate how much we appreciated their contribution to the company.
Interviewer: What factors are crucial within an organization and must be present for you to work most effectively?
Interviewee: For me, communication from the top is the most important. If I know what exactly is expected from me, it will be easier for me to perform my job. The organization must be positive too. Actually, these are some of the characteristics I find appealing at your company.
Interviewee: Thank you. We take pride in our quality of communication here.

“English for Job Interviews” –  Authors: José Roberto A. Igreja and Robert C. Young / Disal Editora.

José Roberto A. Igreja is the author and co-author of several ELT books, including:

LET´S TALK ABOUT IT! – The Ultimate ELT Conversation Book, now available on the Amazon stores of the following countries:

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