IELTS Listening Practice Lesson: Job Application

by Liz 69 Comments

This listening practice lesson is based on IELTS Listening Section 1. The topic is a Job Application which is a very common topic in the listening test. Section 1 requires you to listen for specific information and is the easiest section in the listening test, which means you should aim to get at least 90% or, if possible, 100% right (for people aiming for a high band score).

This listening lesson focuses on two different types of IELTS listening questions i) form completion ii) multiple choice. It is usual to get more than one type of question in one section of the listening test. In the real test, you will get 10 questions in section 1, but not all at the same time. IELTS usually break the questions into groups to make it easier. However, with my listening practice below, I’ve put them all together.

Instructions:

Read through ALL questions from 1 to 10 so that you are prepared.
Tip:
1. Be ready for different accents
2. The first question might be tough to answer but keep listening because the answer will be repeated again.
3. Always keep calm, never panic and keep track of the questions
Listen to the recording only once and note down your answers.
Post your answers in the comments box at the bottom of the page.
I’ll post the answers later this week with the transript.

Listening Section 1 Practice – Job Application

Questions 1- 3: Complete the notes below using no more than two words.

Job Title Enquiry: (1) ……………
Name: (2) ………………….
Current Occupation: (3) ………………….

Questions 4-6: Choose the correct letter.

4. What work days will there be?

a) all week days plus one full weekend day
b) Monday to Friday only
c) all week days and half a day on weekends

5. How many hours will the job actually require in reality?

a) 40 hours
b) over 40 hours
c) 50 hours

6. What is the overall income per annum?

a) £2,000
b) £25,000
c) over £25,000

Questions 7-10: Complete the notes below using no more than two words and/or numbers.

7. Job Reference Number: ……………

8. First interview date: ………………..

9. HR contact: ……………….

10. Start date: ……………..

Audio Recording

Audio Player

00:00

Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.

ANSWERS & TRANSCRIPT

Click below to reveal the answers and the transcript. The transcript is provided by me so you can check your answers whilst listening to the recording and reading the transcript. It’s a great way to improve your listening skills and develop your English. You won’t be given the transcript in the real test.

ANSWERS

SALES REP
1. This was tricky when you first heard it, but the answer was repeated twice more in the recording which should have given you a chance to get this right. A sales rep means a sales representative of a company.
RACHEL / RACHAEL JONES
1. You need both first name and last name for a correct answer.
2. IELTS will often spell out names, but Rachael is a common name and you can find a list of common names with pronunciation in the Vocabulary section of this website.
RECEPTIONIST
c / C
1. “Well, from Monday to Friday it’s 9am to 5pm and you’ll also have to work either a morning or an afternoon, which is about four hours, on either Saturday or Sunday.”
b / B
1. “…while the job is advertised as the standard 40 hours per week, it’ll go beyond that because of the weekend work”
2. This question is testing your ability to differentiate between advertised hours and actual hours. The real hours will be more than 40 because of weekend work.
c / C
1. “… you’ll get a guaranteed income of £2,000 per month which works out more or less at about £25,000 each year, but as you’ll definitely be earning commission as well, you can add that on top …”
2. This question is testing your ability to hear the difference between guaranteed income and overall income, which means everything together.
3. It is very common in IELTS to be given one answer but then more information comes along which changes the answer. This is something to be ready for in IELTS listening.
A76401
3rd AUGUST / AUGUST 3rd
1. “,,,to the initial round of interviews which are being held on August 3rd.”
2. The other dates mentioned were for second and third interviews. The applicant first had to get through the first interview on Aug 3rd in order to do the other interviews.
Bob Castor
1. You need both names spelled correctly.
AUGUST 30th
1. “…we hope to get the lucky candidate signed up by 30th August”
2. The following dates were about induction and training which happens after a person joins the company.
3. This means the official start date for the job is August 30th. A start date for a job is when you sign a contract and become part of the company.

Please note that answers can be written using small or lower case letters. If you are taking the paper based test, writing in capitals for listening and reading answers will help the person marking to read your answer clearly.

These practice lessons are not about getting it all right. It’s about learning and developing. Make a note of which answers you got wrong and why you think you got them wrong. This way, you will improve next time.

All listening exercises on ieltsliz.com have been written by myself to help you prepare for your IELTS test.

Liz

TRANSCRIPT

B: Hello, XDM Sales, how can I help you?
A: Hi, I’m calling to apply for the job that you advertised this morning for a sales rep.
B: Certainly. First, I’ll need to take some details. Could you give me your full name?
A: Yes, it’s Rachel Jones.
B: Thank you. Are you working at the moment?
A: Yes, I’m working as a receptionist for a large multinational company.
B: And you’re interested to change your position? It’s quite a change to go from working as a receptionist to a sales rep.
A: I’m ready for a change. I want to do something more challenging. I feel my work as a receptionist has given me a lot of insight into customers and how to approach them. So, I think I’ll be well suited to work as a sales rep. Although, I would like to know a bit more about the position if that’s ok.
B: Of course. What would you like to know?
A: Could you tell me more about how many days and hours a week it involves.
B: Well, from Monday to Friday it’s 9am to 5pm and you’ll also have to work either a morning or an afternoon, which is about four hours, on either Saturday or Sunday. I know it isn’t ideal to have to give up part of your weekend, but it won’t be every weekend and you can apply for the occasional weekend off. As for hours, while the job is advertised as the standard 40 hours per week, it’ll go beyond that because of the weekend work. Luckily, it isn’t likely to be as many as 50 hours per week.
A: OK. That sounds fine. How about the salary?
B: Well, you’ll get a guaranteed income of £2,000 per month which works out more or less at about £25,000 each year, but as you’ll definitely be earning commission as well, you can add that on top to make a nice bit extra over the course of the year.
A: That’s not bad, but I guess it depends how much commission I’ll earn. Still, I’d like to apply. Could you let me know the application procedure?
B: Yes, of course. You’ll find an application form to download on our website. Put both the job title and reference number: A76401 on the form. Then fill it in and email it to the applications department. Applications will be collected over the next five days. We’ll let you know if you’ve made it through to the initial round of interviews which are being held on August 3rd. For applicants making it through the first round, there will be two more sets of interviews on August 10th and August 21st. After that the final selection is made. If you don’t hear back from us regarding your application, please get in touch in case your application has ended up in spam or been misplaced.
A: Who should I call in that situation?
B: Call the senior HR manager, Bob Castor (that’s C A S T O R ), you’ll find his contact details on our website. He’ll let you know if you’re through to the interview round or not.
A: Great. Can you let me know when the job is due to start and whether there will be an induction or not?
B: Of course. As I said, the first set of interviews will be in early August and we hope to get the lucky candidate signed up by 30th August. Once the sales rep officially becomes part of the team, there will be an induction period from August 30th to September 7th during which time the new sales rep will learn more about the company, products and sales procedures. After that, the new sales rep will shadow one of our more successful reps for 10 days to pick up extra tips.
A: That all sounds very exciting. I’ll get my application off today. Thanks.
B: Not at all. Best of luck with your application. Bye.

Recommended

For more free IELTS Listening Practice Lessons with Liz, click here: IELTS Listening Tips & Practice

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Filed Under: IELTS Listening Tagged With: form completion, section 1

Comments

Tran says

January 12, 2025 at

1. Sales representatives
2. Jones
3. Receptionist
4.C
5.B
6.C
7
8.August 3rd
9.Bob castor
10. August 30th

Reply
Zhaf says

February 1, 2024 at

1. Sales rep
2. Rachel Jones
3. Receptionist
4. c
5, b
6. c
7. a76401
8. 3rd Agt
9. Bob Castor
10. 30th Agt

Reply
Maggie Tran says

January 27, 2024 at

1. Sales Rep
2. Rachel Jones
3. Receptionist
4. c
5. c
6. c
7. 876401
8. Aug 3rd
9. Bob Castor
10. Aug 30th

Reply
Graciela says

December 11, 2023 at

Very useful! Thank you very much

Reply
- Liz says
  
  December 11, 2023 at
  
  Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
  
  Reply
Benkoussas.tark says

November 27, 2023 at

1-sales rep
2-Richard Jones
3-Receptionist
4- B
5-A
6-B
7- A76401
8- 3 r d August
9- Bob Castor
10- 30 t h August

Reply
Akuneto Chiamaka Victoria says

November 25, 2023 at

1. Sales Rep.
2. Rachael Jones
3. Receptionist
4. C
5. 50 hours
6. C
7. A76401
8. August 3rd
9. CASTAR
10. 30th of August

Reply
JUSTIN DEBORAH says

November 24, 2023 at

1. XDM SALES
2.RACHAEL JONES
3. RECEPTIONIST
4. C
5. B
6. C
7. A74601
8. 3RD AUGUST
9. BOB CASTOR
10. 30TH AUGUST.

Reply
Oyewunmi mojisola says

November 23, 2023 at

1, sales representatives
2, Jones
3, Receptionist
4, C
5, B
6, C
7, A76401
8, August 3rd
9, Bob castor
10, August 30th

Reply
Gold Adams says

November 23, 2023 at

1. Sales Rep
2. Rachel Jones
3. Receptionist
4. C
5. B
6. C
7. A76401
8. 10th Aug
9. Bob Castor
10. 30th Aug

Reply
Precious says

November 23, 2023 at

1. Sales Representative
2. Jones
3. Receptionist
4. b
5. a
6. c
7. 876401
8. August 30
9. Bob Castar
10. 30th August

Reply
Gideon says

November 23, 2023 at

1. Sales Rep
2. Richard Johns
3. Receptionist
4. C
5.C
6.C
7. A76401
8. August 3rd
9. Bob Castor
10. August 30th

Reply
Phil says

November 23, 2023 at

1 Representative
2 Richard Jones
3 Receptionist
4 b
5 c
6c
7 876401
8 August 3rd
9 Bob Castor
10 August 30th

Reply
Elizabeth Garidzanayi says

November 22, 2023 at

1. Sales wrap
2.Richel Jones
3.Receptionist
4.C
5.B
6.C
7.A76401
8.August 3rd
9.Bob Caster
10 .10/09

Reply
Gloria says

November 22, 2023 at

1. Sales Rep
2. Rachael Jones
3. Receptionist
4. C
5. B
6. C
7. A764o1
8. August 3rd
9. Bob Castor
10. August 30th

Reply
Akufuna saboi says

November 22, 2023 at

sale rep
Rachel Jones
receptionist
c
b
c
A76401
10th August
Castor
30th augus

Reply
Linnet says

November 22, 2023 at

1.Sales Rep
2.Raicheal John
3.Receptionist
4.c
5.b
6.c
7.A76401
8.August 3rd
9.Castor
10.30th August

Reply
Tofail Ahmmed says

November 22, 2023 at

1.Sales rep
2.Richard johns
3. Receptionist
4.b
5.b
6.c
7.A76401
8.August 3rd
9.Bob castor
10. 30th August

Reply
Shafiq says

November 22, 2023 at

1. SALES REP
2. RICHARD JONES
3. RECEPTIONIST
4. C
5. C
6. B
7. A76401
8. AUGUST 3RD
9. BOB CASTOR
10. 30TH AUGUST

Reply
Ogochukwu Nwodo says

November 22, 2023 at

1. Sales rep
2. Racheal Jones
3. Receptionist
4. C
5. C
6. C
7. A7764A2
8. Aug 3
9. Bob Caster
10. 30th August

Reply
Su says

November 22, 2023 at

1.Sale
2.Richard Jons
3.Recwotionist
5.b
6.c7.c
8.A76401
9.August 3rd
10.30th August

Reply
Esther says

November 22, 2023 at

1. Sales Rep
2.Racheal Jones
3. Receptionist
4. B
5. B
6. B
7. A76401
8. 3rd August
9. Bob Castor
10. 30th August

Reply
Zeez says

November 22, 2023 at

1. SALES REP
2. RACHAEL JONES
3. RECEPTIONIST
4. C
5. B
6. C
7. A76401
8. 3rd AUGUST
9. BOB CASTOR
10. 30th AUGUST

Reply
Anuradha Welagedara says

November 22, 2023 at

1. salesrep
2. sweetie John
3. receptionist
4. c
5. b
6. c
7. A76401
8. 3rd August
9. Bob Caster
10. 7 th September

Reply
Otufu Adonibuma says

November 22, 2023 at

1. Sales Rep
2.Racheal Jones
3.Receptionist
4. c
5. b
6. c
7. A76401
8. August 3rd
9. Bob Castor
10. 30th August

Reply
Lloyd says

November 21, 2023 at

Sales Rep
Richard Johns
Receptionist
C
B
C
A76401
August 3rd
Bob…? I Didn’t get this
30th August

Reply
nkechinyere says

November 21, 2023 at

Nkechinyere

1.Sales Rep.
2.Jones
3Receptionist
4.A
5A
6.B
7.A76401
8.Next 5days
9Bob Castor
10.30th August

Reply
Olawumi says

November 21, 2023 at

Ola says
1 Sales Rep
2. Tricia Janes
3. Receptionist
4. c
5 c
6. b
7. A76401
8. August 10
9. Bob Castar
10. 30th August

Reply
SADIA says

November 21, 2023 at

1. SALES WRAP
2. RICHARD JHONS
3.RECEPTIONIST
4.B
5.B
6.B
7.A76401
8.AUGUST 23RD
9.BOB CASTOR
10.1ST OF AUGUST

Reply
Praise Okpara says

November 21, 2023 at

sales wrap
Rachael Jones
receptionist
C
B
C
A76401
August 3rd
Bob Caster
August 30th.

Reply
- oluwafunmilayo megbowon says
  
  November 21, 2023 at
  
  1. Sales Rep
  2. Richelle Jonnes
  3. Receptionist
  4. C
  5. C
  6. B
  7) A76401
  8) 3rd August
  9) BOB CASTOR
  10) 30th August
  
  Reply
  - Manilyn says
    
    November 22, 2023 at
    
    1.sales representative
    2.Rachel Jones
    3. Receptionist
    4.c
    5.c
    6. c
    7. A76401
    8. 3rd of August
    9. Bob Caster
    10. 30th of August
    
    Reply
Laserian Ifeanyi says

November 21, 2023 at

1-Sales Rep
2-Rachael Jones
3-Receptionist
4-C
5-C
6-C
7-A76401
8-August 3rd
9-Bob Castor
10-30th August

Reply
Azuka Uzuegbunam says

November 21, 2023 at

1. SALES REP
2. RACHAEL JONES
3.RECEPTIONIST
4. C
5. B
6. C
7. A76401
8. AUGUST 3RD
9. CASTOR
10. 30TH AUGUST

Reply
Alimzhan Yakhiyarov says

November 21, 2023 at

1. Sales rep
2. Rachel Johns
3. Receptionist
4. b
5. b
6. c
7.A76401
8.10August
9. Bob Castor
10.8th September

Reply
Fidel says

November 21, 2023 at

1.SALES REP.
2.RACHAEL JONES
3.RECEPTIONIST
4. A
5. A
6. C
7. A76401
8.AUGUST 3RD
9.CASTAR
10.30TH OF AUGUST

Reply
Deji says

November 21, 2023 at

1. SALES REP
2. RICHARD JONES
3. RECEPTIONIST
4. C
5. B
6. C
7. A76401
8. 03 AUGUST
9. BOB CASTOR
10. 30 AUGUST

Reply
Priyanka says

November 21, 2023 at

Sales rep
Richelle John’s
Receptionist
C
B
C
A764O1
August 3rd
Bob Castor
30August

Reply
Adaranijo blessing says

November 21, 2023 at

1. SALES REP
2. JONES
3. RECEPTIONIST
4.B
5.A
6.C
7. A46401
8. AUGUST 3RD
9. WEBSITE
10.SEPTEMBER 7TH

Reply
Jennifer says

November 21, 2023 at

Answers:
1. Sales’ Representative
2. Sean John
3.Receptionist
4. c)
5. b)
6. c)
7. 876401
8. the third August
9. Mr. Bob Castor
10. 30 August

Reply
Rahachan says

November 21, 2023 at

1. sales Rep
2. Richel johns
3.Receptionist
4. b
5. c
6. b
7. A76401
8. August 3rd
9.Senor HR manager Bob Costor
10. 30th of August

Reply
Paula says

November 21, 2023 at

1. Sales Rep.
2. Trishia Johns
3. Receptionist
4. b
5. b
6. a
7.876401
8. August the 3rd
9. Senior HR Manager : Bob Castor
10. August the 30th -September the 7th.

Many thanks!

Reply
- CHRISTIAN Mugara says
  
  November 23, 2023 at
  
  1 SALES REP.
  2RACHEAL JONES
  3RECEPRIONIST
  4 C
  5B
  6C
  7A76401
  8 3AUGUST
  9 BOB CASTOR
  10 AUGUST 30
  
  Reply
Patience Ikejiaku says

November 21, 2023 at

Immense thanks Liz.
Here are my answers:
1. Sales rep
2. Jones
3. Receptionist
4. c
5. b
6. b
7. A76401
8. August 3rd
9. Bob Castor
10. 30th August

Reply
Abdul Fatawu Yakubu says

November 21, 2023 at

1. SALES REP
2. RICHLY JONES
3. RECEPTIONIST
4. C
5. B
6. C
7. A76401
8. AUGUST 03
9. BOB CASTOR
10. 30TH AUGUST

Reply
Malika Dissanayake says

November 21, 2023 at

1 sales rep
2 Sweechle John
3 receptionist
4 b
5 c
6 c
7 A76401
8 10th August
9 CASTOR
10 30 th August

Reply
Lawal Dare Tosin says

November 21, 2023 at

1: Job titile – Sales Representative
2: Applicant name- Jones
3: Current occupation- Receptionist
4: Expected work days – Monday/Friday 9am – 5pm
5: Work hours- 50hrs
6: Income/annum- £25,000
7: Reference number- A76401
8: First interview date- August 10th
9: HR contact- Bob Castaor
10: Start date: September 17th

Reply
Charity says

November 21, 2023 at

1. sales rep 2. Racheal Jones 3. Receptionist 4.c 5.b 6.c 7.A76401 8.August 3 9. Bob Castar 10.August 30

Reply
Rosemary Tenkorang says

November 21, 2023 at

SALES REP
RICHEL JONES
RECEPTIONIST
B
A
B
A76401
AUGUST 3rd
BOB CASTOR
30th AUGUST

Reply
Veralyn says

November 21, 2023 at

hi Lizzy
thanks for the great work
please I need your help in IELTS general of which I will be writing it soon
please which materials can you send for me to prepare well for the test?

Reply
- Liz says
  
  November 21, 2023 at
  
  See to learn about GT IELTS and how to use this website for your preparation: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-gt-academic-writing-differences/
  
  Reply
Ali Husnain says

November 21, 2023 at

1. Sales Representative
2. Ritchell Johns
3. Receptionist in a Multi-national Company
4. All weekdays and half a day on weekends
5. over 40 hours
6. Over 2500
7. A76401
8. August 10
9. Bob Castor
10. 30th of August

Reply
Ekwealor,Uzoamaka Agnes says

November 21, 2023 at

1 Sales Rep
2 Richel Jones
3 Receptionist
4 C
5 C
6 C
7 A76401
8 August 3rd
9 Bob Castor
10 August 30th

Reply
Ekwealor,Uzoamaka Agnes says

November 21, 2023 at

This is very interesting

Reply
Farzana says

November 21, 2023 at

This is really effective and helpful.thank you

Reply
ifeoluwa says

November 21, 2023 at

1. Sales Representative
2. Richard Jones
3. Receptionist
4. A
5. C
6. C
7. A76401
8. 3 (rd) August
9. Bob Caster
10. 30 (th) August

Reply
Peace says

November 21, 2023 at

1. Sales rep
2. Rachel Jones
3. Receptionist
4. C
5. B
6. C
7. A76401
8. August 3rd
9. Bob Castor
10. August 30th

Reply
JOHNSON GODLEADS says

November 21, 2023 at

1) HDM SALES
2) RITA JONES
3) RECEPTIONIST
4) C
5) C
6) C
7) A76401
8) AUGUST 10TH
9) WEBSITE
10) AUGUST 10TH

Reply
- JUSTIN DEBORAH says
  
  November 24, 2023 at
  
  1. XDM SALES
  2.RACHAEL JONES
  3. RECEPTIONIST
  4. C
  5. B
  6. C
  7. A74601
  8. 3RD AUGUST
  9. BOB CASTOR
  10. 30TH AUGUST.
  
  Reply
Bob says

November 21, 2023 at

I like your Northern Irish accent 🙂

Reply
Md Rabiul says

November 21, 2023 at

1. sales
2. Jony
3. Receptionist
4. Monday to Friday only
5. 40 hours
6. Over $25,000
7. A7641

Reply
Yusuf says

November 21, 2023 at

Thank you for the lesson. My answers are below.
1. SALES REP
2. RACHEL JONES
3. RECEPTIONIST
4. C
5. B
6.C
7. A76401
8. AUGUST 3rd
9. BARB CASTOR
10. 30 of AUGUST

Reply
Livina says

November 21, 2023 at

1)sales Rep
2) Richard Johns
3) Receptionist
4)c
5)c
6)a
7)A76401
8) August 3
9)Castar
10)30th August

Reply
- Jamal Uddin says
  
  November 22, 2023 at
  
  1. Sales Representative
  2. Richard Jones
  3.Receptionist
  4. B
  5.C
  6.C
  7.A76401
  8.3rd August
  9.Bob Castor
  10.August 30
  
  Reply
fred ssemata says

November 21, 2023 at

1. sales representative
2. Johns charito
3. Receptionist
4. C
5. C
6. C
7. A76401
8. 10th August
9. Bob Castor
10. 30th August

Reply
Mobola says

November 21, 2023 at

1. SALES REP
2. RACHEL JONES
3. RECEPTIONIST
4. C
5. B
6. C
7. A76401
8. AUGUST 3RD
9. BOB CASTOR
10. 30TH AUGUST

Reply
RUHMA says

November 21, 2023 at

1 sales rep
2 janes
3 receptionist
4 c
5 b
5 c
7 A76410
8 10 august
9 bob castor
10 3 august.. (confused)

Reply
- mojishola says
  
  November 21, 2023 at
  
  1.sales rep
  2.Richard jones
  3.Receptionist
  4.B
  5.B
  6.C
  7.A76401
  8.3rd August
  9.castor
  10.30th August.
  
  Reply
- Lancinet Sanoh says
  
  December 1, 2023 at
  
  3, C, B, 1,3,6,2,1,4,b,,1, 5,4,,5,3, 6, 3,6,2,C, 3,5,6, C,5,4, 6,4, 1,C, 5,6,4,5,4,6,4, 1, B, 4, 4, 6, this is very interesting ,This is really effective and helpful. Thank you , 5,6,4, I like your Northern Irish accent ,4,6, 5, 5, 6, 4
  
  Reply