９  The Interview

Steve: Here we ore. You’ve met Caroline before, of course.

Caroline: Hello, Joanna.

Joanna: Hello. Nice to see you again

Caroline: Please, take a seat. Now, as you know, at Omnitour we’re planning to move into a new market area ...leisure travel, and we’re looking for someone to run the new section. We advertised the post about two months ago, and we’ve interviewed half a dozen people, but we haven’t found the right person yet. To put it simply ... we think that you might be that person. So first of o11, thank you for coming for this interview.

Joanna: Don’t mention its just hope there aren’t too many errors in my CV. I had to prepare it rather quickly!

Caroline: Well, didn’t see any mistakes. OK. Steve?

Steve: I’d like to ask you about your career far. How long have you worked at Bluestream Advertising?

Joanna: I’ve been there for five years now.

Steve: But you haven’t always been an Account Director?

Joanna: No, I’ve been in my current job for three years. When I first joined Bluestream, I was Michael Wilkinson’s personal assistant.

Steve: Did you enjoy being a PA?

Joanna: Oh yes. I really learnt a lot from Michael. He’s a very good manager to work for.

Steve: And what about your present position? How do you find that?

Joanna: Well, it’s got a lot more responsibility, of course. But I don’t mind working under pressure. In fact, think some stress is important.

Steve: Well, we certainly have a stressful time here.

Caroline: What about before you joined Bluestream Advertising? Can you talk us through your education and early career?

Joanna: Certainly, went to Nottingham High School. When I left, I didn’t want to go straight to university, so decided to take a year out.

Caroline: You went abroad?

Joanna: Yes, went to Australia.

Caroline: Did you work while you were out there?

Joanna: Yes, for some of the time. I had temporary jobs in a hotel and on a farm. I was also employed by a travel company in Sydney for three months.

Caroline: Oh, right.

Joanna: Then when got back, went to Birmingham University to study geography.

Steve: Why did you choose geography? Did you have a particular job in mind?

Joanna: No, l Just enjoyed it like learning about other places.

Caroline: What did you do after you finished your degree?

Joanna: I took a one year diploma In Business Administration. Then got a job as the assistant manager of a small theatre in South London.

Steve: Was that an interesting job?

Joanna: Very, I’ve always loved the theatre since a child. In fact, when was younger, wanted to be an actress.

Steve: So why did you leave the theatre?

Joanna: It closed down. I really loved working there, although the money wasn’t very good, That’s why it closed ...there was no money.

Caroline: So then you got the job at Bluestream Advertising?

Joanna: Yes, that’s right.

Caroline: If we offer you this job, how will feel about leaving Bluestream?

Joanna: I’ve thought about that a lot, I like working there, and owe Michael a lot. It won’t be easy.

Caroline: Will you be able to move to Manchester?

Joanna: That’s no problem at all.

Caroline: OK, let’s look at your experience at Bluestream in a little more detail ...

Caroline: Well, think we’ve covered everything. I hope it wasn’t too awful, Joanna.

Joanna: No, It’s been very interesting.

Caroline: Have you got any more .questions?

Joanna: No, don’t think so.

Caroline: OK. Would you like to take a seat outside? Steve and I need to have a quick chat.

Joanna: Yes, of course.

Caroline: Well, what do you think?

Steve: I like her. She seems to be efficient, but she’s also easy to get on with and has a nice sense of humour. She’s got good excellent qualifications, too.

Caroline: But she doesn’t know a lot about travel business.

Steve: That’s true, but she’s creative, and she’s certainly adaptable ...

Caroline: Thank you for waiting, Joanna.

Joanna: That’s all right I prefer to get it over with straightaway. It’s a lot better than ‘Thank you. We’ll be in touch.’

Caroline: OK, in that case, let’s get down to it. Steve and I have reached a decision, and we’d like to offer you the job.

Ben: Ben Morrison Hi, Joanna ... Yeah ...Really .. OK ... I’ll find out if Mike can see you first thing tomorrow ... Yeah ... . OK. ... See you tomorrow ... Bye. Mike.

Mike: Yeah.

Ben: Joanna wants to see you first thing tomorrow morning. Would that be OK?

Mike: Well, yeah. Do you know what it’s about?

Ben: No, I’m afraid I don’t..