Lesson 31: Listening

A. Listening
I. Think of three different ways you can find a job. Which way do you think is the most
successful? Why?
II. You will hear an extract from a conversation between a student and a careers advisor.
Look at the questions and five options below and follow these steps.
1. Underline the key words in the question and options.
Which TWO types of job is the student looking for?
A. medical sales
B. in a research laboratory
C. teaching science
D. in the food industry
E. in the drugs industry
2. Try to think of different ways of expressing the options.
A. medical sales
B. in a research laboratory
C. teaching science
D. in the food industry
E. in the drugs industry
3. Remember that even if you hear the exact words of one of the options, it may not be the
correct answer, so listen carefully.
4. Listen and answer the question.
Which TWO types of job is the student looking for?
A. medical sales
B. in a research laboratory
C. teaching science
D. in the food industry
E. in the drugs industry
III. Look at the audio script and discuss the questions.
A = Advisor S = Student
A: So, Louis, tell me, what sort of job are you looking for?

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S: Well, my degree is in biological sciences, so there are various
options open to me. My parents are both science teachers but although I did consider it, I don’t
think that’s for me. I’m quite interested in food manufacture – you know, developing and testing
new products for some of the big food companies. In fact, that appeals to me much more than the
drugs industry – that’s what many of my friends are interested in.
A: What about working for a drugs company – in the sales department? I think that’s quite popular
too.
S: Yes, I know. But I don’t think I’m a good salesman. I’m not sure I would enjoy meeting
customers. I prefer spending time in the laboratory. So possibly some sort of research – maybe in
a university or hospital.

1. Does the student mention all five options?

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2. Why are the incorrect options wrong?
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3. Does the student use the same words as the options or does he express them in a different
way?
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IV. 1. Read the test task and follow these steps.
1. Underline the key words in both the questions and the options.
Questions 1 and 2
Choose TWO letters A–E.
Which TWO things is the student doing in order to find a job?
A talking to big companies
B looking in magazines
C sending his CV to employers
D looking online
E looking at a jobs notice board
Questions 3 and 4

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Choose TWO letters A–E.
Which TWO things does the careers advisor say the student needs to do?
A look in newspapers
B attend a jobs fair
C continue using the careers service
D use social media
E go to a job agency
2. Try to think of other ways of expressing the words in the answers.
2. Complete the test task.
V. Discuss the questions.
1. Were the questions in the same order as the information in the recording?
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2. Were the options in the same order as the information in the recording?
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3. Look at audio script. Why were the incorrect options wrong?
N = Narrator A = Advisor S = Student
N: You will hear a university careers advisor talking to a student about the best way to find a job.
A: So, Louis, how are you getting on with your job search?
S: Hm, not too well, really. I’m studying really hard for my exams at the moment, so I don’t have
much time, but I’m trying my best to look for suitable jobs.
A: What are you doing at the moment then?
S: Well, I’m sending out my CV to some large companies, but that hasn’t been very successful.
I’ve only had one reply and that wasn’t very positive.
A: Lots of the university departments have got a jobs notice board – have you looked?
S: They don’t put up job adverts in my department. They did have a few large employers come to
speak to students, but it was on a day when I couldn’t go. My tutor also suggested I look for job
adverts in science journals, but I don’t think people advertise much in those these days, do they?
A: Not as much, maybe. What about online?
S: Well, there are a few good websites where they advertise jobs in science-related fields, so I’m
checking those quite a lot. I’ve seen a couple of really interesting jobs.

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A: OK. Well, that’s a good start but there are quite a few other things you could start doing. And
don’t stop looking online; it’s probably one of the best places to look these days – much easier
than looking in newspapers. In fact, I suggest you get yourself more of an online profile. Maybe
you should start using LinkedIn or sites like that – that’s where many firms seem to advertise jobs
these days. And you can follow the employers you’re interested in.
S: That’s a good idea. Some of my friends are already doing that, so I’ll ask them to help me.
A: Now, I don’t think there’s any point in you going to a job agency – not for the type of job you’re
looking for. But I do suggest you think about a specialist job fair. Let’s see ... City University are
holding one in two weeks – there’ll be many employers there looking for graduates in your line of
study. I really think you should go.
S: Yes, I think I will. Thanks, that’s really good advice.
A: Good – I’m glad to help. Is there anything else you would like to know? Don’t forget you can’t
continue to use our careers service when you leave the university and that’s very soon, isn’t it?
S: Yes, next month. No, I think I’ve got everything I need for now. Thank you very much for your
help.
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