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Anna's New Start · Episode 9: A Practice Interview October 8, 2026 · 5:48 · With Narrator, Sam, and Anna
Anna practices answering interview questions with Sam in a quiet public garden before her Harbor Lane Hotel interview.
Transcript Tap a sentence to hear it from there.
Narrator This is Anna’s New Start. Anna has just arrived in a new city and is looking for work. She has an interview for a breakfast assistant job at the Harbor Lane Hotel on Thursday. Today, she and Sam meet in a quiet public garden to practice what Anna might say. Sam You look ready for a real interview. Is that the shirt you found? Anna Yes. It was six dollars, and it feels comfortable. But now I’m worried I’ll sit down and forget every word I know. Sam That happens to people who have interviewed many times. We can practice a little. I’ll be the hotel manager. You answer as yourself. Anna All right. But please don’t make your face too serious. I might start answering in a whisper. Sam I’ll try to look friendly. Let’s begin simply. Tell me about yourself and why you applied for the breakfast assistant job. Anna I’m Anna. I’m new to the city, and I’m looking for steady work. I like preparing food and helping people feel welcome in the morning. Sam That sounds clear. You don’t need to tell your whole life story. Can you give me an example of helping someone or working with a team? Anna At my last job, I helped customers and kept the work area clean. When it got busy, I tried to stay calm and ask my coworkers what they needed. Sam Good. Maybe say what kind of work it was, if you feel comfortable. A short detail can help the manager picture you doing the job. Anna I worked in a small café. I took orders, cleared tables, and helped prepare simple food. I liked seeing regular customers come back. Sam That’s a strong answer. Now here’s a harder one: what would you do if the breakfast room became busy and a guest needed help? Anna I would try to help the guest, but I’d also tell a coworker if I couldn’t do both things at once. I don’t want anyone to wait without knowing what’s happening. Sam That’s sensible. You don’t have to pretend you can do everything alone. Could you say it a little more directly? Anna I’d stay polite, help with the most urgent need, and communicate with the team. If I wasn’t sure what to do, I’d ask my supervisor. Sam Much better. Interviews can feel like a test, but they’re also a chance for you to learn about the job. What do you want to ask them? Anna I want to ask about the schedule. The invitation says breakfast assistant, but I don’t know what time the shift starts or how many days they need someone. Sam That’s a useful question. You can also ask what a normal morning is like. It shows you’re thinking about the actual work, not only getting hired. Anna I could ask, ‘What would a typical shift look like?’ Is typical the right word there? Sam Yes. It means usual or normal. You could say, ‘Could you tell me what a typical shift looks like?’ That sounds polite and natural. Anna Could you tell me what a typical shift looks like? And what time does the shift usually start? I think I can remember those. Sam You don’t need to memorize them. Just remember the things you want to know. You can even bring a small note with your questions. Anna I was afraid that would look unprepared. But I’d rather ask clearly than agree to a schedule I don’t understand. Sam Exactly. And if they ask when you can start, answer honestly. You’re moving Saturday, so you can explain that you’re available after you settle in. Anna I can say I’m available to discuss a start date, and I have a room arranged for Saturday. I don’t need to promise a day before I know the schedule. Sam Right. You sound more confident already. Want to try the first question one more time, without stopping to fix every word? Anna I’m Anna. I have experience in a small café, where I served customers, helped prepare food, and worked with a team. I’m interested in this job because I enjoy helping people start their day well. Sam That was clear and warm. If I were the manager, I’d want to hear more. How do you feel now? Anna Still nervous, but not as lost. I’m going to write down my two questions and practice once by myself. Thanks for being my manager, Sam. Sam You’re welcome. And remember, the interview is a conversation. You’re finding out whether the job works for you, too. Anna I’ll remember that. Thursday at ten, I’ll go in, listen carefully, and ask about the shift. That feels like a plan I can manage.
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