Scheduling a job interview by phone
Answer a recruiter's call, choose an interview time and ask what to bring.
The scene
You applied for a job as a shop assistant. A recruiter calls you to invite you to an interview and agree on a time.
- Speaker A
- Recruiter
- Speaker B
- You (job applicant)
Your goals
- Answer a work call politely
- Choose a date and time for an interview
- Ask simple questions about the interview
Key vocabulary
Press the speaker to hear each word or phrase.
recruiter
a person who finds and hires people for jobs
A recruiter called me today.
to apply for
to ask officially for a job
I applied for the shop assistant job.
interview
a meeting where an employer asks you questions
The interview is on Tuesday.
available
free to do something at a certain time
Are you available on Tuesday?
address
the street and number where a building is
Could you send me the address?
résumé
a document listing your education and work (a 'CV' in British English)
Please bring a copy of your résumé.
Useful phrases
Yes, this is … speaking.
Answering when someone asks for you
Thank you for calling.
Thanking the recruiter
I'm available on …
Saying when you are free
Should I bring anything?
Asking what to take to the interview
Could you send me the details by email?
Asking for written information
Practice studio: speak the dialogue
Pick your role and press Start. Your partner's lines are read aloud; then say your line into the microphone (or type it) and see which words you got right.
Recruiter
Hello, is this Maria Lopez?
You (job applicant)
Yes, this is Maria speaking.
Recruiter
Hi Maria, this is Ben from City Books. You applied for our shop assistant job.
You (job applicant)
Oh, hello! Yes, I did. Thank you for calling.
Recruiter
We'd like to invite you to an interview. Are you available on Tuesday or Wednesday?
You (job applicant)
I'm available on Tuesday. Is the morning OK?
Recruiter
Yes, how about ten o'clock at our store on Main Street?
You (job applicant)
Ten o'clock is perfect. Should I bring anything?
Recruiter
Please bring a copy of your résumé and some ID.
You (job applicant)
OK, no problem. Could you send me the details by email, please?
You speak 5 lines as You (job applicant); Recruiter is read aloud for you.
Speech recognition is done by your browser (in Chrome and Edge this uses the browser maker's online service). Nothing is stored by AltFTool.
Your turn: speak freely
Answer out loud in your own words. There is no score here: aim for full sentences and fewer filler words.
1. Answer a phone call from a recruiter and say who you are.
2. Say which days and times you are free next week.
3. Ask two questions about the interview.
Quick quiz
Choose an answer to see if you are right and why.
0 of 4 answered
Common mistakes
Avoid:
Yes, I am Maria.Say: Yes, this is Maria speaking.
On the phone, English speakers say 'This is…' rather than 'I am…'.
Avoid:
I applied to the job of shop assistant.Say: I applied for the shop assistant job.
You 'apply for' a job.
Avoid:
I am available in Tuesday.Say: I'm available on Tuesday.
Use 'on' with days and 'at' with times.
Tips
- Keep a notebook near your phone when you are job hunting, so you can write down times and names.
- Repeat the date, time and place before you hang up.
- Ask for an email with the details; it is normal and very useful.
Questions about this lesson
How do you answer the phone professionally in English?
Say 'Hello, this is Maria speaking' or simply 'Maria speaking.' If they ask for you, say 'Yes, speaking.'
What is the difference between a résumé and a CV?
In the US a résumé is a short summary of your experience. In the UK people say CV for the same document.
Finish the lesson
Finish the practice studio and the quiz and this lesson is marked complete for you.
Next lesson: Job interview: strengths and weaknesses
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