Section 1

Test one.

,This is the IELTS listening test you will hear a number of different recordings and you will have to answer questions on what you hear.

There will be time for you to read the instructions and questions and you will have a chance to check your work.

All the recordings will be played once only the test is in four parts at the end of the test you will be given 10 minutes to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.

Now turn to part 1.

Part 1.

You will hear a woman friend to get information about a job agency.

First you have some time to look at questions 1 to 5.

Now listen carefully and answer questions 1 to 5.

Hello William, this is Amber you said to phone, if I wanted to get more information about the job agency you mentioned, is now a good time?

Uh, hi amber yes, fine so the agency I was talking about is called Bankside they’re based in Docklands, I can tell you the address now 497 east side.

Okay, thanks.

Is there anyone in particular I should speak to there?

The agent I always deal with is called Becky Jamieson.

Let me write that down Becky?

Jamieson J-A-M-I-E-S-O-N.

Do you have her direct line?

Yes, it’s in my contacts somewhere, right here we are 07866510333.

I wouldn’t call her until the afternoon, if I were you she’s always really busy in the morning trying to fill last-minute vacancies she’s really helpful and friendly so I’m sure it would be worth getting in touch with her for an informal chat.

It’s mainly clerical and admin jobs they deal with, isn’t it?

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.

Yeah, I’m just a bit worried because I don’t have much office experience.

I wouldn’t worry they’ll probably start you as a receptionist, or something like that.

So what’s important for that kind of job isn’t so much having business skills or knowing lots of different computer systems, it’s communication that really matters so you’d be fine there.

And you’ll pick up office skills really quickly on the job it’s not that complicated.

Okay, good.

So how long do people generally need temporary staff for?

It would be great, if I could get something lasting at least a month.

That shouldn’t be too difficult, but you’re more likely to be offered something for a week at first which might get extended it’s unusual to be sent somewhere for just a day or two.

Right I’ve heard the pay isn’t too bad better than working in a shop or a restaurant.

Oh yes, definitely the hourly rate is about 10 pounds 11 if you’re lucky, that’s pretty good I was only expecting to get eight or nine pounds an hour.

Before you hear the rest of the conversation you have some time to look at questions 6 to 10.

Now listen and answer questions 6 to 10.

Do you want me to tell you anything about the registration process?

Yes, please I know you have to have an interview.

The interview usually takes about an hour and you should arrange that about a week in advance.

I suppose I should dress smartly if it’s for office work, I can probably borrow a suit from mum.

Good idea, it’s better to look too smart than too casual.

Well I need to bring copies of my exam certificates or anything like that?

No they don’t need to see those, I don’t think.

What about my passport?

Oh yes, they will ask to see that.

Okay.

I wouldn’t get stressed about the interview there 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.

So there are questions about personality that they always ask candidates fairly basic ones and they probably won’t ask anything too difficult like what your plans are for the future.

Hope not.

Any way there are lots of benefits to using an agency, for example the interview will be useful because they’ll give you feedback on your performance so you can improve next time.

And they’ll have access to jobs which aren’t advertised.

Exactly, most temporary jobs aren’t advertised.

And I expect finding a temporary job this way takes a lot less time, it’s much easier than ringing up individual companies.

Yes, indeed well I think I’ve covered it.

That is the end of part-1 you now have one minute to check your answers to part one.