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AylaraTalks

Role-play

Job Interview Role Play (B1–B2)

Selling your strengths, owning a gap in your skills and sorting out the shifts.

Age
Ages 18+
Level
B1–B2
Skill
Speaking
Format
Teacher guide
More in the library

The situation

The manager's office at a busy sports centre. A candidate is being interviewed for a receptionist job.

5-minute timer

Role card A

Candidate

You are interviewing for a job as a receptionist at a sports centre.

Your goals

  • Explain why you want the job and talk about your experience.
  • Give an example of dealing with a difficult customer.
  • Find out about training and when you'll hear back.

Only you know

  • You can't work on Sunday mornings because you look after a family member.
  • You've never used their booking software, but you learnt a new system in about a week in your last job.

Role card B

Interviewer

You are the manager of a sports centre, interviewing candidates for a receptionist job.

Your goals

  • Ask why they want the job and about their experience.
  • Ask about a time they dealt with an unhappy customer.
  • Explain the hours and what happens next.

Only you know

  • The job includes one Sunday morning shift a month, but staff often swap shifts with each other.
  • New staff get two weeks of paid training, and you'll make a decision by Friday.

Model dialogue

One good version. Read it after the pairs have tried, not before.

Show the model dialogue
A
Good morning. I'm Priya Shah — I've got an interview at ten.
B
Good morning, Priya. Thanks for coming in. Have a seat. So, why are you interested in this job?
A
I really enjoy working with people, and I'd love to work somewhere connected to sport and health.
B
Great. Could you tell me a bit about your experience?
A
I worked on the front desk of a dental practice for two years, so I'm used to answering the phone and managing appointments.
B
That's useful. Have you used BookFit, our booking system?
A
Not yet, to be honest. But in my last job I learnt a new system in about a week, so I'm sure I'd pick it up quickly.
B
That's good to hear. Can you tell me about a time when you dealt with an unhappy customer?
A
Once a patient was angry about waiting. I apologised, explained the delay and offered her a coffee, and she calmed down quickly.
B
Nice. Now, the job includes one Sunday morning a month. Would that be a problem?
A
Actually, I'm not available on Sunday mornings because I look after a family member. Is there any flexibility?
B
Yes, staff often swap shifts, so I'm sure we can work something out.
A
That's great. Could you tell me what happens next?
B
The job starts with two weeks of paid training, and we'll let you know by Friday.

Extension for stronger students

B now asks two harder questions — 'What's your biggest weakness?' and 'Where do you see yourself in three years?' — and A must answer honestly and positively, then ask the interviewer one smart question about the team.

Printable role cards

Card A and card B on one page, with a cut line between them, plus the phrases.