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Practice dictation & shadowing on the Cambridge IELTS 15 Academic Listening Part 1 Test 1.
Cambridge IELTS 15 Academic Listening Test 1 Part 1
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Speaker 1 (1)
Hello, William. This is Amber.
Speaker 1 (2)
You said to phone if I wanted to get more information about the job agency you mentioned. Is now a good time?
Speaker 2 (3)
Uh, hi, Amber. Yes, fine. So the agency I was talking about is called Bankside.
Speaker 2 (4)
They're based in Docklands. I can tell you the address now, 497 Eastside.
Speaker 1 (5)
Okay. Thanks. So is there anyone in particular I should speak to there?
Speaker 2 (6)
The agent I always deal with is called Becky Jamieson.
Speaker 1 (7)
Let me write that down. Becky...
Speaker 2 (8)
Jamieson J-A-M-I-E-S-O-N.
Speaker 1 (9)
Do you have her direct line?
Speaker 2 (10)
Yes. It's in my contact somewhere. Right. Here we are. 07866510333.
Speaker 2 (11)
I wouldn't call her until the afternoon if I were you.
Speaker 2 (12)
She's always really busy in the morning trying to fill last minute vacancies.
Speaker 2 (13)
She's really helpful and friendly, so I'm sure it would be worth getting in touch with her for an informal chat.
Speaker 1 (14)
It's mainly clerical and admin jobs they deal with, isn't it?
Speaker 2 (15)
That's right. I know you're hoping to find a full-time job in the media eventually, but Becky mostly recruits temporary staff for the finance sector, which will look good on your CV and generally pays better too.
Speaker 1 (16)
Yeah. I'm just a bit worried because I don't have much office experience.
Speaker 2 (17)
I wouldn't worry. They'll probably start you as a receptionist or something like that.
Speaker 2 (18)
So what's important for that kind of job isn't so much having business skills or knowing lots of different computer systems.
Speaker 2 (19)
It's communication that really matters, so you'd be fine there.
Speaker 2 (20)
And you'll pick up office skills really quickly on the job. It's not that complicated.
Speaker 1 (21)
Okay. Good. So how long do people generally need temporary staff for?
Speaker 1 (22)
It would be great if I could get something lasting at least a month.
Speaker 2 (23)
That shouldn't be too difficult. But you're more likely to be offered something for a week at first, which might get extended.
Speaker 2 (24)
It's unusual to be sent somewhere for just a day or two.
Speaker 1 (25)
Right. I've heard the pay isn't too bad. Better than working in a shop or a restaurant.
Speaker 2 (26)
Oh yes - definitely. The hourly rate is about £10, 11 if you’re lucky.
Speaker 1 (27)
That’s pretty good. I was only expecting to get 8 or £9 an hour.
Speaker 2 (28)
Do you want me to tell you anything about the registration process?
Speaker 1 (29)
Yes, please. I know you have to have an interview.
Speaker 2 (30)
The interview usually takes about an hour, and you should arrange that about a week in advance.
Speaker 1 (31)
I suppose I should dress smartly if it's for office work.
Speaker 1 (32)
I can probably borrow a suit from mum.
Speaker 2 (33)
Good idea. It's better to look too smart than too casual.
Speaker 1 (34)
Will I need to bring copies of my exam certificates or anything like that?
Speaker 2 (35)
No. They don't need to see those, I don't think.
Speaker 1 (36)
What about my passport?
Speaker 2 (37)
Oh, yes. They will ask to see that.
Speaker 1 (38)
Okay.
Speaker 2 (39)
I wouldn't get stressed about the interview though. It's just a chance for them to build a relationship with you so they can try and match you to a job which you'll like.
Speaker 2 (40)
So there are questions about personality that they always ask candidates, fairly basic ones.
Speaker 2 (41)
And they probably won't ask anything too difficult, like what your plans are for the future.
Speaker 1 (42)
Hope not.
Speaker 2 (43)
Anyway, there are lots of benefits to using an agency.
Speaker 2 (44)
For example, the interview will be useful because they'll give you feedback on your performance so you can improve next time.
Speaker 1 (45)
And they'll have access to jobs which aren't advertised.
Speaker 2 (46)
Exactly. Most temporary jobs aren't advertised.
Speaker 1 (47)
And I expect finding a temporary job this way takes a lot less time.
Speaker 1 (48)
It's much easier than ringing up individual companies.
Speaker 2 (49)
Yes. Indeed. Well, I think..
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