Script of Practice 2: Interview
M: Hi, Nadda. My name’sGraham Gregson, Head of Research and Development here at Kinaree Cosmetics. Ms. Weiss who is Head of HR hasto deal with an urgent issue so I’ve been asked to talk with you instead. I hope that’s ok?
W: That’s fine. Thank you for giving me an interview.
M: Why don’t you start by telling me something about yourself—why you want to work for us?
W: Well, I’ve always been fascinated by how cosmeticscan transform people. When I was young I liked playing with my mother’s cosmetics. I remember thinking I wanted to be a makeup artist when I grew up just because I loved cosmetics so much. I took makeup lessons when I was in high school and it was then that I realized I wanted to do more than just putting makeup on people’s faces—I wanted to create cosmetics. So, I decided to pursue a degree in Pharmaceutical Science in university.
M: I see that you received a 3.7 GPA. That’s impressive, but I noticed you didn’t mention any extra-curricular activities in your resume. Were you one of those ‘all work and no play’ students?
W: I didn’t take part in activities at university, but it wasn’t because I didn’t want to. I just didn’t have the time. My parents couldn’t afford to pay for my study so I had to work part-time and put myself through university. That didn’t leave me any time to take part in extracurricular activities.
M: I see. What kind of part-time work did you do?
W: I was a sales representative for Cliché Cosmetics. Perhaps you have heard of them—they are a direct sale cosmetic company from Korea.
M: I certainly have. Tell me, did you learn anything from the experience?
W: I certainly did. For one thing, I learned to read people—you know, what they were feeling and what they wanted. But most importantly I learned to manage my stress andto work under pressure as I was working on my coursework at the same time.
M: So you enjoyed working in sales? What kind of work are you really interested in—sales, marketing, or R&D?
W: Although I was good at selling, I feel I would be most at home when researching and developing cosmetic products. Like I told you earlier, I’m interested in creating cosmetic products. It appeals to my creative and artistic side.
M: Very good. As researcher, you will have to work closely with product developers from our marketing sections to form product concepts and to give actual form to new products.
W: That’s exactly what I hope to be doing. It sounds very exciting!
M: It really is. Now, tell me what you know about our company.
W: I know that you are the largest cosmetic product manufacturer in Thailand and that you export to Myanmar, Indonesia and Vietnam.
M: That’s right. We also have plans to export to the Middle East very soon. We have over 6,000 products in 5 major groups—body care, personal care, makeup, fragrance and skin care. Now, is there anything you’d like to ask me?
W: Um…I was wondering if you could tell me something about the company’s professional development programs.
M: Here at Kinaree Cosmetics, we provide employees with a comprehensive training system to back up their individual career goals. We offer rank-specific training courses tailored to different levels in the company hierarchy, from new recruits up to management. We also have our own ‘Kinaree Cosmetics Business School to provide special courses for employees who have earned excellent personnel evaluation.
W: Sounds great. I think it is very important to keep learning new things.
M: I agree. Well, thank you for coming in today. We will get back to you as soon as we finish interviewing the rest of the applicants.
W: Thank you again for giving me the chance to come in.
Answer Key of Practice 2: Interview (10 points)
1. What is Graham Gregson’s position? (1 point)
a) Head of R&D
2. Nadda graduated with a degree in ___ Pharmaceutical Science (if misspelt but understandable, student should get full credits)__ ( 0.5 points) with a GPA of __3.7 __ (0.5 points)
3. What reason did Nadda give for not mentioning extra-curricular activities on her resume? (1 point)
She had to work part time (to put herself through university). (1 point)
She did not have time . (0.75 points)
4. What TWO things did Nadda learn from her experience at Cliché Cosmetics?
(2 points) Any two of the following:
· to read people OR to learn what customer felt and what customers wanted (1 point)
· to learn what they were feeling and what they wanted (0.5 points)
· to manage stress (1 point)
· work under pressure (1 point)
5. If she gets the job, who does she have to work closely with? (1 point)
Product developers (from marketing sections) (1 point)
Researching and Developing (cosmetic products) (0.5 points)
R&D (0.5 points)
Marketing (0.5 points)
6. What TWO things does Nadda know about the company? (2 points)
· It is the largest cosmetics manufacturer in Thailand
· It exports to Myanmar, Indonesia and Vietnam
7. What does Nadda want to know about the company? (1 point)
The company’s professional development programs
8. Which statement is TRUE about the company? (1 point)
c) Its products are categorized into 5 groups.