Sarah had been looking for a new job for three months. She worked as a marketing assistant but wanted to advance her career. One day, she found a job posting for a marketing manager position. The company was a well-known technology firm in the city center. Sarah spent the whole evening updating her resume and writing a cover letter. She highlighted her five years of experience and her successful campaigns. After submitting her application online, she waited nervously for a response. Two weeks later, she received an email inviting her for an interview. The interview was scheduled for the following Monday at ten o'clock. Sarah immediately started preparing for the big day. She researched the company thoroughly and learned about their products. She also practiced answering common interview questions in front of a mirror. The night before the interview, Sarah could barely sleep. She kept thinking about what questions they might ask her. In the morning, she woke up early and took a long shower. She chose her best professional outfit, a navy blue suit. Sarah ate a light breakfast because she was too nervous to eat much. She left home an hour early to make sure she would arrive on time. The company's office was in a tall glass building downtown. Sarah arrived fifteen minutes before her scheduled time. She checked in with the receptionist and sat down in the waiting area. There were two other candidates waiting for their interviews. Sarah tried to stay calm by taking deep breaths. At exactly ten o'clock, a woman came to greet her. She introduced herself as Jennifer, the head of the marketing department. Jennifer led Sarah to a bright conference room on the fifth floor. Two other people were already sitting at the table. They were the HR manager and a senior marketing executive. Everyone shook hands and the interview began. Jennifer started by asking Sarah to tell them about herself. Sarah spoke confidently about her education and work experience. She mentioned the successful product launch she had led at her current company. The HR manager asked why she wanted to leave her current position. Sarah explained that she was looking for new challenges and growth opportunities. She emphasized that she admired this company's innovative approach to marketing. The senior executive asked about her experience with digital marketing campaigns. Sarah described several campaigns she had managed and their impressive results. She used specific numbers to demonstrate the success of her work. Jennifer seemed impressed and nodded while taking notes. They asked about her management style and how she handled difficult situations. Sarah gave examples of times when she had resolved conflicts within her team. She also talked about how she motivated her colleagues during stressful projects. The interview continued with questions about her technical skills. Sarah explained her proficiency with various marketing software and analytics tools. She mentioned that she was always eager to learn new technologies. After forty-five minutes, the interviewers asked if she had any questions. Sarah had prepared a list of thoughtful questions about the role. She asked about the team structure and the company's goals for the next year. Jennifer answered all her questions in detail. The HR manager explained the next steps in the hiring process. They would make a decision within two weeks and contact her by email. Sarah thanked everyone for their time and shook hands again. Jennifer walked her back to the elevator and wished her good luck. Sarah felt relieved that the interview was finally over. She thought it had gone well, but she tried not to get her hopes up. On her way home, she replayed the conversation in her mind. She wondered if she had given the best possible answers. The next two weeks felt like the longest of her life. Sarah tried to distract herself by focusing on her current job. Exactly twelve days later, she received an email from the company. Her heart was beating fast as she opened the message. The email said they were pleased to offer her the position. Sarah could not believe her eyes and read the email three times. She was so happy that she immediately called her parents to share the news. The following month, Sarah started her new job as a marketing manager.
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The Job Interview
English Story for Intermediates (B1)
This B1 English story is designed for intermediates learning English. It includes simple vocabulary and short sentences to help you improve your reading and listening skills. Click any word to see translations and hear pronunciation.
About this story
Sarah prepares thoroughly for a marketing manager interview at a technology company. During the interview, she confidently answers questions about her experience, management style, and technical skills. After two weeks of anxious waiting, she receives an email offering her the position, and she starts her new job the following month.
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