Episode 06

Daniel and Sarah make their presentations. Will they impress the interviewers?

Do the preparation task first. Then watch the video and do the exercises. You can also read the transcript.

Preparation

Transcript

Daniel: When I was asked to do a presentation on 'Where WebWare is going and what I can do to help it get there', my first thought was simple: me! As you've already seen, I've got a lot of skills and the right kind of personality needed to do a job like this. Here's a slide I made! You see that? That's my sales team. They love me! Certainly going to be sad to see me leave. Outside-the-box thinking – that's what I've got!

Sarah: OK. To start with, I did a careful SWOT analysis using the data I had available, which is obviously only partial. I looked at aspects such as competitors, online visibility, changing technologies and R&D. On the basis of this, I believe WebWare should carry out some careful market research, strengthen its brand awareness in secondary markets and improve the flexibility of its offer. If this produces positive results, I think it should be possible to maintain the premium pricing policy.

Daniel: Here's the sales figures for the last job I did – all down to me. Blue-sky thinking! Finally, to finish my presentation, I'd like to play you a song I wrote ...

Philip: OK, OK ... that's enough. Thanks, Daniel.

Daniel: Great! So, does that mean I've got the job?

Marcia: Erm, we'll be in touch over the next five days to let you know.

Daniel: OK, great. Thank you.

Sarah: This is how I predict a sales pattern would go. I have to emphasise these are only speculative results at the moment. The key words are caution, adaptability and consolidation of main product lines – WebWare's 'cash cows', if you like. It's important to be flexible, yet reliable. Oh, and another thing is you need to improve the delivery times on your online orders. I hope all that's clear. Do you have any questions?

Philip: No, thank you, Sarah. That's all very clear. You've given us quite a lot to think about, there!

Marcia: Yeah, thanks a lot, Sarah. We'll be in touch over the next few days to let you know about the appointment.

Sarah: Thank you both for your time. It's been a pleasure meeting both of you.

Marcia: Bye bye!

Sarah: Bye.

Philip: Bye.

Sarah: Bye.

Task 1

Exercise

Task 2

Exercise

Discussion

Whose presentation impressed you more, and why?

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Worksheet84.42 KB

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Language level

B1 Intermediate

B2 Upper intermediate

Hello Ajevip,

In this context, the words have a similar meaning: unhappy or disappointed.

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

I think we here see how a person must answer to an interview. To be professional requieres inteligence, discipline and have objective goals about what company is requiering.

Candidates present their vision for the company's development. Sarah prepared for the conversation. Daniel, by his attitude of an unprepared person, diminishes the chances of getting a job. The presentation should contain at least general information about the issue on which we should work. I also think that it is worth getting ready before every recruitment interview. Preparing a presentation increases the chances of getting a job.

Great Task!

When it is a job being professional is always the key. Being you doesn't give us a job but honesty does.

Hmm, let me see, Daniel is not a bad guy to employ after all. He's positive, optimistic, and doing things out of his intuition. Whereas Sarah looks logical, rational, analytical. If I were CEO of this company, I'd hire both of them and give them a chance to see the result.