Job Hunting – B1 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to the conversation between two friends and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What mistake did the man make on his application?
(A) He provided an inaccurate way for the employer to call him.
(B) He forgot to upload his cover letter to the company’s system.
(C) He sent his documents to the wrong design firm by accident.
2 What does the woman tell the man NOT to do?
(A) Send a direct message to the human resources team.
(B) Remove his current application from the hiring process.
(C) Update his resume with a completely different phone number.
3 What is the woman’s opinion about sending a correction email?
(A) It is too embarrassing and might ruin his chances completely.
(B) It should only be done after the company reviews his file.
(C) It will demonstrate that he takes quick and responsible action.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Answer: (A) He provided an inaccurate way for the employer to call him.
- Explanation: Ben states that he “typed my contact information incorrectly” and the “digits of my mobile number are reversed”. Option (A) correctly paraphrases this situation. Option (B) is The Trap: Chloe asks, “Did you forget to attach your cover letter?”, but Ben immediately replies, “No”. Option (C) is not mentioned in the audio.
2 Answer: (B) Remove his current application from the hiring process.
- Explanation: Ben asks, “Withdraw the application entirely?” and Chloe responds, “Definitely not.” Option (B) paraphrases the act of withdrawing as “Remove his current application”. Option (A) is The Trap: Chloe actually encourages him to send a message to HR (“Just draft a short, polite message to their HR department”), so this is not something she tells him NOT to do. Option (C) is not mentioned.
3 Answer: (C) It will demonstrate that he takes quick and responsible action.
- Explanation: Chloe advises him to send the message because “It actually shows you are proactive.” Option (C) perfectly paraphrases the word “proactive” as taking “quick and responsible action”. Option (A) is The Trap: Chloe admits the mistake is “a bit embarrassing,” but she emphasizes that “it’s not the end of the world,” meaning it won’t ruin his chances. Option (B) is The Trap: Ben says he will send it “before they review my file”, not after.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Ben: Chloe, I really messed up! I just submitted my application to that design firm, and I realized I made a huge mistake on my resume.
Chloe: Calm down, Ben. What happened? Did you forget to attach your cover letter?
Ben: No, it’s worse! I typed my contact information incorrectly. The last two digits of my mobile number are reversed. If they try to call me for an interview, it won’t go through!
Chloe: Oh, I see. Well, it’s a bit embarrassing, but it’s not the end of the world. However, you shouldn’t just wait and hope they email you instead.
Ben: So what should I do? Withdraw the application entirely?
Chloe: Definitely not. Just draft a short, polite message to their HR department right away. Apologize for the oversight, provide the accurate number, and attach the updated document. It actually shows you are proactive.
Ben: You’re right. I’m going to write that message right now before they review my file. Thanks, Chloe.
Listening 2
Listen to the telephone conversation between a job applicant and a company representative. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What is the main reason for Leo’s phone call?
(A) To politely reject the position in the marketing team.
(B) To ask for more time to make his professional choice.
(C) To negotiate a better salary in his new contract.
2 What excuse does Leo give for his request?
(A) He is currently waiting to hear back from another company.
(B) He needs more time to read the contract carefully.
(C) He wants to talk about moving arrangements with his relatives.
3 What does Ms. Taylor agree to do?
(A) Wait until the end of the workweek for his response.
(B) Send him the signed paperwork by 10 AM on Friday.
(C) Interview other potential candidates while waiting for him.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Answer: (B) To ask for more time to make his professional choice.
- Explanation: Leo asks “if it might be possible to get a short extension on the deadline”. Option (B) correctly paraphrases this request (extension = more time; final decision = professional choice). Option (A) is The Trap: He is calling about the offer, but he says he is “excited”, not rejecting it. Option (C) is The Trap: He mentions the “contract”, but says the details “look great”, he is not negotiating money.
2 Answer: (C) He wants to talk about moving arrangements with his relatives.
- Explanation: Leo tells Ms. Taylor: “I just need a couple more days to discuss the relocation details with my family.” Option (C) uses direct synonyms (moving arrangements = relocation details; relatives = family). Option (A) is The Trap: Although in reality (according to the context you provided) this is the true reason, it should absolutely not be mentioned in the listening passage (the subtle reason he used)! Choosing A is a trap of personal interpretation. Option (B) is also a trap because it’s reasonable, but he said the contract “looks great.”
3 Answer: (A) Wait until the end of the workweek for his response.
- Explanation: Ms. Taylor agrees to extend the deadline to “Friday morning”, which is accurately paraphrased as “the end of the workweek”. Option (B) is The Trap: She asked Leo to send (email the signed paperwork) to her, not that she sent it to Leo. (A case of shifting blame onto someone else). Option (C) is The Trap: She said “we have other candidates waiting,” not that she would be interviewing them at this time.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Leo: Good morning, Ms. Taylor. It’s Leo. Thank you again for the job offer. I’m really excited about the opportunity to join your marketing team.
Ms. Taylor: Good morning, Leo! We are very excited to have you. Have you made your final decision yet? We need your answer by this Wednesday.
Leo: Well, that’s actually why I’m calling. I have received the contract, and the details look great. However, this is a major career move for me. I was wondering if it might be possible to get a short extension on the deadline?
Ms. Taylor: Oh? How much extra time do you need? We do have other candidates waiting.
Leo: I completely understand. Would it be acceptable if I give you my final answer by Friday morning? I just need a couple more days to discuss the relocation details with my family.
Ms. Taylor: Hmm, Friday morning. Okay, we can extend the deadline until then. But please make sure to email the signed paperwork by 10 AM if you decide to accept.
Leo: Thank you so much, Ms. Taylor. I appreciate your understanding. I will be in touch by Friday.
Listening 3
Listen to a voicemail from a job applicant and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why is Daniel leaving this voicemail?
(A) To formally accept the job offer for the Graphic Designer role.
(B) To check the current status of his recent employment request.
(C) To complain about waiting two weeks for a job interview.
2 What does Daniel assume about the Human Resources department?
(A) They are currently dealing with many other candidates.
(B) They accidentally lost his original digital portfolio.
(C) They have already hired someone else for the position.
3 What is Daniel willing to do if necessary?
(A) Visit the company’s main office in person on October 12th.
(B) Call the HR department again later this week.
(C) Provide extra materials to support his application.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Answer: (B) To check the current status of his recent employment request.
- Explanation: Daniel says he wants to “follow up and see if there are any updates on the hiring process”. Option (B) correctly paraphrases this intent (check the current status = see if there are updates; employment request = application). Option (A) is The Trap: The role “Graphic Designer” is mentioned, but he has not received an offer yet. Option (C) is The Trap: He mentions “two weeks” and “interviews”, but his tone is polite and understanding, not complaining.
2 Answer: (A) They are currently dealing with many other candidates.
- Explanation: Daniel says, “I understand that your department must be busy reviewing a large number of applications right now.” Option (A) is a direct paraphrase of this assumption (dealing with many other candidates = reviewing a large number of applications). Option (B) is The Trap: He offers to send “another copy” of his portfolio just in case they need it, but he does not assume they lost it. Option (C) is a common fear for job seekers, but it is not mentioned in the audio.
3 Answer: (C) Provide extra materials to support his application.
- Explanation: Daniel states, “if you need any additional documents from me… please feel free to reach out.” Option (C) perfectly paraphrases this offer (extra materials = additional documents). Option (A) is The Trap: “October 12th” is the date he originally applied, not a date he plans to visit the office. Option (B) is The Trap: He provides his phone number and asks them to call him back (“You can call me back”), rather than promising to call them again.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Daniel: Hello, this is Daniel Miller calling for the Human Resources department at Creative Solutions. I am leaving this message regarding the Junior Graphic Designer position that I applied for on October 12th, which was exactly two weeks ago today.
I am still very enthusiastic about the opportunity to join your team. I understand that your department must be busy reviewing a large number of applications right now, but I just wanted to follow up and see if there are any updates on the hiring process. Could you let me know if you have already started scheduling interviews?
Also, if you need any additional documents from me, such as references or another copy of my digital portfolio, please feel free to reach out. You can call me back on my direct line at 555-0198. Thank you so much for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Listening 4
Listen to the conversation between a brother and sister. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why is Liam excited at the beginning of the conversation?
(A) He passed a difficult interview for a data entry position.
(B) He received an employment opportunity from an internet advertisement.
(C) He bought a new uniform for his upcoming job on Monday.
2 What makes Maya suspicious about the situation?
(A) The company is asking the applicant for an upfront financial payment.
(B) The human resources manager sent an email that looked very unprofessional.
(C) The company wants Liam to start working on the weekend instead of Monday.
3 What does Maya advise her brother to do?
(A) Contact the manager to ask for a refund of his fifty dollars.
(B) Cut off contact with the scammers and notify others about the fake post.
(C) Research the company thoroughly before transferring the cash.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Answer: (B) He received an employment opportunity from an internet advertisement.
- Explanation: Liam says he got a “job offer” from a company he “found online”. Option (B) correctly paraphrases this (job offer = employment opportunity; online = internet advertisement). Option (A) is The Trap: The words “interview” and “data entry” are mentioned, but Maya asks “Did you even have an interview?” and Liam replies “Well, no.” Option (C) is The Trap: A uniform is mentioned, but he has not bought it yet; he was asked to pay a deposit for it.
2 Answer: (A) The company is asking the applicant for an upfront financial payment.
- Explanation: Maya gets suspicious because Liam has to “transfer fifty dollars for the uniform and equipment deposit”. She says a real employer will never ask you to “pay them money before you start”. Option (A) uses synonyms for this (upfront financial payment = pay money before you start). Option (B) is The Trap: Liam actually says the email looked “very professional”, not unprofessional. Option (C) is not mentioned (the start day is Monday, not the weekend).
3 Answer: (B) Cut off contact with the scammers and notify others about the fake post.
- Explanation: Maya tells Liam to “block their number and report the advertisement”. Option (B) is a direct paraphrase of these actions (cut off contact = block their number; notify others = report the advertisement). Option (A) is The Trap: Liam hasn’t sent the money yet (“Thanks for stopping me before I sent the cash”), so he doesn’t need to ask for a refund. Option (C) is incorrect because Maya tells him to block them immediately, not to research the company.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Liam: Hey Maya, guess what? I finally got a job offer from that data entry company I found online!
Maya: That’s great, Liam! But wait, didn’t you just apply yesterday? Did you even have an interview?
Liam: Well, no. They said my resume was perfect. I just need to transfer fifty dollars for the uniform and equipment deposit, and I can start working on Monday.
Maya: Hold on. That sounds really suspicious. A legitimate employer will never ask you to pay them money before you start.
Liam: But the HR manager sent me a very professional email. It looks completely official.
Maya: I’m telling you, it’s a common trick. They collect these fake fees from hundreds of applicants and then disappear. You need to block their number and report the advertisement immediately.
Liam: Oh, man. I was so excited. Thanks for stopping me before I sent the cash.
Listening 5
Listen to the telephone conversation between a job applicant and a recruiter. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What is Daniel’s main purpose for calling Ms. Robinson?
(A) To accept the graphic design job and ask a question about the contract.
(B) To politely refuse the employment opportunity he was given.
(C) To negotiate a higher starting salary for his new position.
2 What does the recruiter offer to do when she hears Daniel’s decision?
(A) Discuss increasing the amount of money they will pay him.
(B) Introduce him to another company that does 3D animation.
(C) Give him a few more days to think about his professional growth.
3 Why did Daniel choose the other company?
(A) Because they offered him a much more competitive salary.
(B) Because he did not enjoy meeting the team at Ms. Robinson’s agency.
(C) Because the work matches his future professional ambitions better.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Answer: (B) To politely refuse the employment opportunity he was given.
- Explanation: Daniel says he is calling to let her know that “I won’t be able to accept it” (the job offer). Option (B) correctly paraphrases this as refusing the employment opportunity. Option (A) is The Trap: The words “graphic design” and “contract” are mentioned by Ms. Robinson, but Daniel is not accepting the job. Option (C) is The Trap: Ms. Robinson offers to negotiate the salary, but Daniel explicitly says “No”.
2 Answer: (A) Discuss increasing the amount of money they will pay him.
- Explanation: Ms. Robinson asks if there is an issue with the salary and says, “We might be able to negotiate.” Option (A) accurately paraphrases this (negotiate salary = discuss increasing the amount of money). Option (B) is The Trap: “3D animation” is the focus of the other firm Daniel is joining, not a company Ms. Robinson introduces him to. Option (C) is The Trap: She mentions “professional growth” at the end, but she does not offer him more time to think.
3 Answer: (C) Because the work matches his future professional ambitions better.
- Explanation: Daniel explains that the other role “aligns perfectly with my long-term career goals”. Option (C) uses direct synonyms for this (matches = aligns perfectly; future professional ambitions = long-term career goals). Option (A) is The Trap: The word “competitive” is used in the audio, but Daniel says Ms. Robinson’s compensation is competitive, so money is not the reason he is leaving. Option (B) is the exact opposite of what he says (“I really enjoyed meeting the team”).
AUDIO SCRIPT
Daniel: Good morning, Ms. Robinson. It’s Daniel Clark calling. I received the formal offer for the graphic design position yesterday.
Ms. Robinson: Hi Daniel! Yes, we are all very excited to welcome you to the agency. Do you have any questions about the contract?
Daniel: Well, first of all, I want to express my sincere gratitude. I really enjoyed meeting the team, and I appreciate the generous offer. Um, however, I’m calling to let you know that I won’t be able to accept it.
Ms. Robinson: Oh, I see. That’s a shame. May I ask if it’s an issue with the salary? We might be able to negotiate.
Daniel: No, the compensation is actually very competitive. It’s just that I was offered another role at a different firm that focuses heavily on 3D animation. Since that aligns perfectly with my long-term career goals, I decided to go with them.
Ms. Robinson: I understand completely, Daniel. We have to do what’s best for our professional growth. I wish you the best of luck in your new role.
Daniel: Thank you so much for your understanding. Have a great day.