Do the preparation task first. Then watch the video and do the exercises. You can also read the transcript.
Preparation
Transcript
Philip: You what? What do you mean? You've lost the DollarMart contract? Oh, Brian, tell me you're joking! That's our biggest contract and you've lost it! OK ... OK ... yes, I know you've had some personal problems recently. Yes, sure ... yes, I know our competitors have improved their offer, but really, Brian, these are just excuses. Oh, Brian, come on – you failed to meet agreed targets for the entire last quarter. We talked about this in your last performance review and I told you then it had to improve, and to be quite honest – it hasn't. Losing the DollarMart contract is the last straw. No, I'm sorry, Brian, that's it. That's your last chance. I'm going to have to let you go. Let you go. Yes, that's what it means, Brian. You're fired.
Hi, Jess. Can you put me through to Marcia in HR, please? Thank you.
Hi, Marcia. It's Philip here. Listen, I've had to let Brian go. He lost us the DollarMart account. Yeah, but it had been going on for a while, and he just wasn't pulling his weight any more. He'd been warned. His last performance review was really bad. He knew it was coming. So, we'll be looking for someone new and we'll need to decide on who that is.
Who are we looking for? Good question. I was hoping you might be able to help me with that! Here's what I'm thinking and let me know if you agree. Well, obviously, they'll need to have a first degree. Doesn't matter what subject. And then a master's or an MBA, I'd say.
Experience? At least five years' relevant experience in an international company. I want somebody with a proven track record. Oh, they have to be a team player – Brian never was – so strong interpersonal skills. Oh, and I want someone with vision ... yes, 'vision'! Well, I know it’s difficult to define. What I mean is, someone who knows we're in a rapidly changing market, and they can use it to our advantage.
Experience with online sales, perhaps but ... yes, I'd be interested in that. Oh, language skills. I can't emphasise that enough. Not necessarily a native speaker, but they must be very good at English. And another language as well – Spanish, or Mandarin is best.
Does that sound OK to you? Great. OK, can you get an ad out on the website as soon as possible? Oh, and the trade press as well. OK, great. Thanks, Marcia. I want a new sales director by the end of the month. Bye!
Hi Anna,
When we say someone has a proven track record it means that they have done things in the past which prove their talent or ability. In the context of recruitment, this would mean the person's experience and achievements in their previous positions.
A person without experience does not have a proven track record, for example, so it is harder to judge how good or bad they will be in a particular role.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hi Vuqar,
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll pass it on to the technical team to consider next time the pages are edited.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello kaunghtoo
That's the idea. More precisely I would say it means to do your part, i.e. to do your job at the same level as the rest of the team. You can see another example sentence in the Cambridge Dictionary (near the bottom of this page).
All the best
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team