drawing of headphones  Module 1 – Unit 4:  Listening Task-click to Listen

Telephoning Employers About Jobs

Think About It   What are some tips for communicating effectively on the phone?
Who might you need to call when you are looking for a job?

Click on the LISTEN button to hear two telephone conversations in which someone is calling about a job interview.

First Listening  
  1. Listen to the conversations and decide what the purpose of each call is.
  2. Write the correct letter of the conversation next to the purpose below.

___   Make a follow-up call after submitting an application and a résumé
___   Call a Human Resources Department to find out if there are any job openings
___   Set up an interview appointment

Second Listening
  1. Listen to the conversations again. Fill in the blanks below as you listen.
  2. Check your answers with your group.
  3. Practice the conversations, changing roles each time.

Conversation A

Receptionist: Good morning. Hillcrest Hospital Personnel. How can I direct your call?
Kinfe Asbu: Hello. ______________________ Kinfe Asbu. I ____________________
_______________________________ I received a voice mail message from Heather Mould about setting up an interview appointment for the respiratory therapist job.
Receptionist: Can you hold, please? ________________________________.
Heather Mould: Heather Mould speaking.
Kinfe Asbu: Hello. ______________________________ Kinfe Asbu, and you left me a voice mail about the respiratory therapy position, and _____________________ _____________________________________________ for an interview.
Heather: Excellent. Can you come in sometime early next week?
Kinfe Asbu: ______________________ . What day and time are most convenient for you?
Heather: How about _____________________ at 9:00?
Kinfe Asbu: _______________________________________?
Heather: Yes, that’s right.
Kinfe Asbu: That ________________________________.
Heather: You can come to Room 315 at the hospital.
Kinfe Asbu: Excuse me. ___________________________________________?
Heather: 3-1-5. Three-fifteen.
Kinfe Asbu: Thank you. And is the address _________________________________?
Heather: Yes, that’s right.
Kinfe Asbu: Okay. ________________________________ at 9 o’clock in Room 315. I look forward to meeting you, Ms. Mould.
Heather: I __________________________________________, too.
Kinfe Asbu: Goodbye.
Heather: Goodbye.

Conversation B

Voice Mail Message: Hi. ___________________________ Terry Niehoff. I’m either away from my desk or on the phone. Please leave me a detailed message after the beep, and _________________________________________ as soon as I can. If you’d like to be connected with the receptionist, please press zero now.
Aliya: Hello, Ms. Niehoff. ____________________________ Aliya Carim. That’s C-A-R ‘ I-M. I _____________________________________________________________ and emailed you my résumé last Thursday, May 12th for the health care educator
position, and I’d like to know if you’ve received my application documents. ______________________________________ and would like to discuss my qualifications with you. ________________________
____________ at (510) 555-1163 after 6 p.m. any day.
Thank you very much.

How will you introduce yourself to a manager if you are connected to his or her voice mail system when you call? Write a possible introduction below. Then practice it with a friend and make any changes necessary.

______________________________________________________________________
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Useful Language

  • Introducing yourself on the phone

    This is . . .
    My name is . . .

  • Spelling your last name

    That’s spelled C-A-R’ I-M
    That’s . . . M-C’ K-I-M as in Mary.

  • Explaining your reason for calling

    I’m calling because . . .
    I’m calling to find out . . .