Tip Top Trading is the fastest-growing company in the plastic fruit sector, and Anna desperately wants to be a part of it. Her job interview for a position in sales is going to be a challenge. How will she cope?
Language for interviews
This programme focuses on useful language for job interviews.
Phrases from the programme:
- A good example that comes to mind…
- I'm particularly proud of…
- Timekeeping is important to me.
Listening Challenge
What was Anna's role in the university debating society?
The answer is at the bottom of the transcript below.
Transcript
Narrator
Hold tight please! This is Anna, on a bus going to an interview for a job as a sales executive at Tip Top Trading – one of London's fastest growing companies. How are you feeling Anna?
Anna
Oh, a little nervous but I really want this job.
Narrator
Well don't worry Anna, as long as you say the right things, you'll be fine.
Anna
The right things!? Like what?
Narrator
You need to sell yourself, be confident, not arrogant and give examples. Like: A good example that comes to mind. I'm particularly proud of. Timekeeping is important to me.
Anna
Oh right. Thanks. Perhaps you can come with me?
Narrator
Sorry Anna, you're on your own now – but we'll be listening in. Look! You've just arrived. Good luck!
Paul
Come in. Hello, I'm Paul, the Manager of Tip Top Trading. And you must be….?
Anna
It's Anna.
Paul
Yes, very good. Thanks for coming. Now somewhere in this pile, I've got your CV…
Anna
Err, is that it there?
Paul
Oh yes, thanks Hannah. Your qualifications look impressive but what sales experience can you bring to our company?
Anna
I worked in a shop once.
Narrator: Ohhh Anna! Sell yourself. Give a good example!
Anna: Oh right…mmm….well a good example that comes to mind is when I was involved with a campaign to promote and sell a new range of clothes – I loved doing it and it was…
Denise: Oh sorry, excuse me, here's your tea Paul.
Paul: Thanks Denise. Now Anna, it looks like you've achieved a lot during your time at university. Could you give me an example of good team working during your time there?
Denise
Sorry! I forgot the sugar.
Paul
Thank you Denise.
Anna
Hmm, so you want an example? I was the treasurer of the debating society at university. That was OK I suppose.
Narrator
Come on Anna. Be more enthusiastic – the debating society is exciting!
Anna
I mean… I'm particularly proud of how I organised the finances for the debating society. We had a very small budget and I had to make decisions on what to buy.
Narrator
I like it! "I'm particularly proud of" - Positive but not boasting. You're doing well.
Paul
Very impressive – so you're a good planner Anna! We like organised people here... ooops, silly me. I seemed to have spilt tea over your CV.
Anna
Oh, do you need some help?
Paul
Oh no…I'm sure it'll dry out… carry on please…
Anna
Also… timekeeping is important to me…
Narrator
"Timekeeping is important to me" – that's good!
Anna
I always try to complete my work on time. At university I never handed my assignments in late.
Paul
That's good to hear. We like punctuality here…
Denise
Excuse me Paul. Sorry it's a bit late – but I thought you might like a biscuit with your tea.
Paul
Hmm thanks….oh lovely, custard creams… mmm. Now Hannah, finally I wanted to ask you what exactly made you apply for this job at this company?
Anna
Errrr… ooo… well. The reason I applied is….
Narrator
Yes, yes, yes Anna? Do you need a bit more time to think?
Anna
Errr…mmm…
Narrator
What's she going to say? How would you answer that? Join us next time to find out. Before we go, here's a reminder of some of the great lines Anna's used today… A good example that comes to mind I'm particularly proud of. Timekeeping is important to me. Until next time, bye bye! ·
Listening Challenge - Answer
What was Anna's role in the university debating society?
She was treasurer.
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Episode 170712 / 12 Jul 2017
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So long Denise!
Episode 170628 / 28 Jun 2017
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Taking shape
Episode 170621 / 21 Jun 2017
Anna's consulting the development team about her plastic aubergines. Will they understand the project?
Reality bites
Episode 170614 / 14 Jun 2017
Triumphant Tip Top Trading are back from the awards ceremony, but it's not all good news!
Award-winning!
Episode 170607 / 07 Jun 2017
It's award time at the International Plastics Convention! Will Anna and the Tip Top Trading team win the prize?
Face-to-face
Episode 170531 / 31 May 2017
The International Plastics Convention is here and the Tip Top Trading team are looking to promote their business. Will Anna be able to network effectively?
Talking sense
Episode 170524 / 24 May 2017
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Episode 170517 / 17 May 2017
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The plastic aubergine
Episode 170510 / 10 May 2017
It's time for Anna to pitch her idea for a new plastic vegetable product to her boss Paul. Will she be able to capture his attention and get her idea off the ground?
Computer crisis
Episode 170503 / 03 May 2017
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Doing your homework
Episode 170426 / 26 Apr 2017
Anna is developing her idea for a new plastic vegetable. But has she considered all the information before she pitches the idea to her boss Paul? She's going to have to do some proper research before she can!
The dinner date
Episode 170419 / 19 Apr 2017
Anna and Tom are finally on their dinner date! Tom has romance on his mind but Anna is thinking about something else entirely – putting together a perfect business proposal!
Doing it by the book
Episode 170412 / 12 Apr 2017
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The Appraisal
Episode 170405 / 05 Apr 2017
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Episode 170329 / 29 Mar 2017
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Oranges and lemons
Episode 170322 / 22 Mar 2017
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Rachel the rabbit!
Episode 170315 / 15 Mar 2017
Anna's struggling to work with Rachel, the new member of staff at Tip Top Trading. She's becoming more and more difficult and Anna will have to deal with it soon!
The power struggle
Episode 170308 / 08 Mar 2017
Anna's back from her French trip, so things should be going well at Tip Top Trading. But there's a new person coming in to work – will she and Anna get on with each other?
Lost in France
Episode 170301 / 01 Mar 2017
Anna and Tom have managed to complete a lucrative deal selling their Imperial Lemons. But not everything is going so well – their flight back to London has been cancelled! What will they do?
The business trip
Episode 170222 / 22 Feb 2017
Anna and Tom are still in France trying clinch the deal with the French trader.Will they get him to sign the deal?
The deal is off!
Episode 170215 / 15 Feb 2017
Anna and Tom are off to France to finalise a business deal. Will Anna manage to book the flight with Denise's help?
The deal is off!
Episode 170208 / 08 Feb 2017
Can Anna renegotiate a deal with Tip Top Trading's customers in France?
Sign on the dotted line
Episode 170201 / 01 Feb 2017
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Two heads are better than one
Episode 170125 / 25 Jan 2017
One of the companies Anna cold-called has got in touch! Will she get her negotiating hat on and get them to make an order?
Putting the feelers out
Episode 170118 / 18 Jan 2017
Anna's making some cold calls to find new clients for Tip Top Trading. But will they warm to her approach?
Home truths
Episode 170111 / 11 Jan 2017
After announcing a new strategy, Mr Socrates joins the team at the pub. But after a few beers he says some things he shouldn't!
Getting down to business
Episode 170104 / 04 Jan 2017
Big boss Mr Socrates is visiting the Tip Top Trading offices and he's got some bad news! What is he going to say?
You cannot be serious!
Episode 161228 / 28 Dec 2016
The big boss is visiting from America, and he's quite fussy about his hotel room. Looks like Anna has to do some complaining!
The big cheese
Episode 161221 / 21 Dec 2016
The boss is in town! Can Anna use the right language to book him a hotel room?
No smoke without fire
Episode 161214 / 14 Dec 2016
Emergency! There's a fire at Tip Top Trading! Will Anna be able to use the right phrases in this tricky situation?
Risky business
Episode 161207 / 07 Dec 2016
Anna's been accused of smoking! Paul decides it's time to give his team a health and safety update!
The smoker
Episode 161130 / 30 Nov 2016
Anna's down in the warehouse talking to Mr Ingle about stock, but she finds him doing something dangerous! How can she ask him to stop doing it?
Don't panic!
Episode 161123 / 23 Nov 2016
Ann's been chosen to head up the company's stock management. But she needs help! Who will come to the rescue?
The Team Meeting
Episode 161116 / 16 Nov 2016
The team are having a meeting, but the boss is late! Will Anna be able to take charge and set the agenda correctly?
The open window
Episode 161109 / 09 Nov 2016
An open window leads to a mix-up in the office. Will Anna be able to explain this misunderstanding?
The email
Episode 161102 / 02 Nov 2016
Anna's having some problems with writing an email. Luckily, Tom has some words of wisdom.
Lemon-sized luxury boxes
Episode 161026 / 26 Oct 2016
Mr Lime calls again to order some boxes for his Imperial Lemons. How will Anna handle the order?
Slimy Limey!
Episode 161019 / 19 Oct 2016
Following Mr Lime's proposition, Anna needs to say no. How is she going to refuse his offer politely?
Seb Lime
Episode 161012 / 12 Oct 2016
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Episode 161005 / 05 Oct 2016
Anna's making her pitch to Mr Lime, but it's going wrong! How will she cope?
The Imperial Lemon
Episode 160928 / 28 Sep 2016
Anna's making her pitch to Mr Lime, but it's going wrong! How will she cope?
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Episode 160921 / 21 Sep 2016
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Episode 160914 / 14 Sep 2016
Anna's been burning the candle at both ends. But will her efforts pay off?
The brainstorm
Episode 160907 / 07 Sep 2016
The team get together to share ideas about the launch of a new product, but they can't agree!
The warehouse
Episode 160831 / 31 Aug 2016
Tip Top Trading's big boss has ordered a re-check of every order this month. How will Anna get on checking information with the warehouse staff?
Room 301
Episode 160824 / 24 Aug 2016
Tom and Anna have a meeting with their boss Paul, but who's getting praised and who's in trouble?
Mr Lime's grapefruits
Episode 160817 / 17 Aug 2016
Anna's got some apologising to do. Will she be able to deal with Mr Lime's grapefruit mix-up?
Double-booked
Episode 160810 / 10 Aug 2016
Tom is in a panic and needs help! Luckily Anna steps in and offers to help with his meeting crisis!
The Queen of Sheba
Episode 160803 / 03 Aug 2016
Denise explains why she's in such a state of panic - and Paul is not pleased. Will Anna be able to help resolve the crisis?
Doing lunch
Episode 160727 / 27 Jul 2016
Anna is determined to be friendly with her new colleagues and to make a good impression. Unfortunately, a slight misunderstanding leads her to make an embarrassing mistake.
The Crisis
Episode 160720 / 20 Jul 2016
Denise explains why she's in such a state of panic and Paul is not pleased. Will Anna be able to help resolve the crisis?
The Interruption
Episode 160713 / 13 Jul 2016
Anna's job interview continues. But with all the pressure and stress, she has frozen mid-sentence, unable to find the right word in English for what she wants to say.
The Interview
Episode 160706 / 06 Jul 2016
Tip Top Trading is the fastest-growing company in the plastic fruit sector, and Anna desperately wants to be a part of it. Her job interview for a position in sales is going to be a challenge. How will she cope?
An Introduction
Episode 160701 / 01 Jul 2016
Meet Anna, Paul, Denise and Tom. English at Work focuses on English communication in the office. Join Neil in this special introductory programme as he finds out about the characters who work in the offices of Tip Top Trading.
