You will hear five people talking about changing their jobs.
Task 1
For Task 1, choose from the list the reason each speaker gives for changing job.
Task 2
For Task 2, choose from the list what each speaker feels about their new job.
Speaker 1
After college I worked in a bank to make money. It’s a great job if you like sitting at the same desk every day, surrounded by the same familiar faces. I got plenty of annual leave and the work itself was quite demanding, but one day I woke up and realised that it didn’t amount to much, and was really pretty pointless. Handing in my notice was the next logical step. I set up as a freelance photographer – a job I’d always dreamed of. After the first six months or so of sheer panic, I feel much calmer; this will always be a risky job, but ultimately a far more rewarding one – not financially, mind you!
Speaker 2
The family car sales business was the obvious and safe career route for me, even though we didn’t always see eye to eye. I’d no complaints about the money, but that didn’t stop me looking at what other people were doing and thinking ‘Now that’s something I’d really like to get my teeth into’. And that’s how I got into rally driving really. I went to rally school part-time, then got signed up by a rally team. That’s when I left the motor business, not without a bit of soul-searching! I miss the family, but looking at myself now – travelling the world, maybe even having the chance to make millions, living on the edge – what’s not to love?
Speaker 3
I’ve always worked in the music industry – but was never made to feel very welcome in the marketing department. I guess my face didn’t fit although I was doing well enough. Then by chance I heard a band playing in my local venue and thought they were great – I got them signed up and suddenly realised this was exactly the type of work that suited me and my abilities – searching for talent, giving kids a start in the business I loved. So, after a while I left the company to do just that – on a freelance basis. Pay’s not bad – it’s possible to negotiate good percentages – but that’s not why I o it.
Speaker 4
I worked in a busy studio as a radio copywriter – it was challenging and fun, but frustrating because it wasn’t leading anywhere career-wise. I was spotted by one of the radio executives – he liked my way with words and gave me the chance of a presenting slot on a general interest show. I jumped
at, but underestimated the skills involved – without training it’s proving a steep learning curve! It would’ve been better to work as an intern for free for a while to learn the ropes, but it’s all about seizing the moment – too good an opportunity to miss. Now I’ve got a foot in the door, I’m pretty optimistic about making a go of it
Speaker 5
I had a responsible job that I’d worked hard for – most people would consider being an eye surgeon pretty rewarding, both financially and emotionally. I wasn’t keen to leave, but the long shifts and the sheer volume of patients got me down. I wanted to use my knowledge and experience in other ways. I did some research on the effects of sunlight on children’s eyes and eventually started up my own business. We manufacture a range of sunglasses designed to protect children’’s eyes against harmful rays. ‘m my own boss, so I call the shots, which suits me down to the ground. I have to be strict with myself about taking holidays though!