Practice Listening Business English Exercises for B1 – Career choices

8 exercices

Audio

A. Listen to the programme. What advice did the host give?
B. Listen to the programme again. Decide if these sentences are true (T) or false (F).
1)
The caller has recently had a job interview.
2)
He doesn’t know how to make contacts in his industry.
3)
The host doesn’t recommend using professional networking sites.
4)
The caller wants advice about how to improve his online profile.
5)
The host asks the caller for specific examples that show his qualities.
6)
The caller has experience in web design.
7)
He has experience as an outdoor skills instructor.
8)
He liked the host’s advice.

Audio

A. Listen to the second programme. Answer the questions.
1)
Was the expert’s advice in the first programme useful or not? How do we know?
2)
What problem does the caller have now?
B. Match the halves of the host’s questions. Then listen again and check.
1)
What can I
2)
Can you remind me –
3)
Why don’t you tell me
4)
You’re a recent graduate,
5)
And you’re single –
6)
Why not try asking yourself
a)
what was your problem?
b)
right?
c)
help you with today?
d)
no kids?
e)
which is more important: money or excitement?
f)
about the two jobs?
C. Match the answers with questions 1-6 in B. Listen again and check.
a One looks very interesting, but not very well paid. The other is probably a bit boring, but the money is good.
b)
We spoke a few weeks agoand I still have a problem.
c)
That’s the problem, Jenny – I really can’t decide!
d)
My professional networking profile – it wasn’t working.
e)
Yep, that’s me.
f)
Yes, that’s right.

Audio

Audio

A. Ella and Jamie are attending a careers event. They both speak to Ben, a recruiter from a large specialised travel agency. Listen to the two conversations. Who was better prepared, Ella or Jamie?
B. Listen again and answer the questions.
1)
How did Ella prepare for the careers event?
2)
What relevant skills and qualifications can Ella offer the company?
3)
What was the outcome of the conversation with Ben for Ella?
4)
What relevant skills can Jamie offer the company?
5)
How did Jamie prepare for the careers event?
6)
What was the outcome of the conversation with Ben for Jamie?
7)
How could Ella and Jamie have been better prepared?

Audio

A. JobNow short-listed five job-seekers for the job with GIG. Listen to part of the initial interview with three of them. Match each name with two descriptions.
1)
Maria
2)
Agata
3)
Taro
a)
has no professional experience.
b)
wants to try a different profession.
c)
is a little bit worried about the issue of age.
d)
enjoys sports.
e)
wants a steadier income.
f)
has travelled a lot.
B. What skill or experience does each person have that could be useful for the job?

Audio

Audio

2)
You will hear eight short recordings twice. For questions 1–8 choose the correct answer.
1)
What does Gordon think he’s good at?
a)
groupwork
b)
communication with people
c)
solving problems
2)
Which job is the company advertising?
3)
What did John forget to put on his CV?
a)
his problem-solving skills
b)
his internship experience
c)
his experience working in a team
4)
Where did the man find the documents?
5)
Where did the woman find out about the job?
a)
an online job site
b)
a colleague
c)
a library noticeboard
6)
How much will they pay for each office chair?
a)
€100
b)
€130
c)
€150
7)
Why didn’t Suzanna get the job?
a)
She wasn’t enthusiastic enough.
b)
She didn’t have enough experience.
c)
She had the wrong skillset.
8)
Why didn’t the man accept the job offer?
a The salary wasn’t good enough.
b)
The work didn’t seem very interesting.
c)
He didn’t have the right skills.

Audio

3)
Listen to a young man asking Maria Staten, an expert in graduate recruitment, for some advice. Choose the correct option, a, b or c.
1)
How many interviews did the man get?
a)
2
b)
3
c)
5
2)
What kind of jobs has he applied for?
a)
Assistant Manager
b)
Manager
c)
Trainee Manager
3)
What job did he do in the restaurant?
a)
Waiter
b)
Chef
c)
Bar Manager
4)
What does Maria say about skills and experience?
a)
Your CV must include volunteer work.
b)
Volunteer work is rarely useful.
c Many skills are transferable.
5)
Maria says employers like new recruits who
a)
are good at time management.
b)
like learning new skills.
c)
don’t waste time.
6)
Maria advises the man to apply for jobs which
a)
need specific experience.
b)
offer good career potential.
c)
require less experience.
7)
Maria says that Luke’s CV
a)
has some errors on it.
b)
includes too many personal details.
c)
doesn’t match the job requirements.

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