You will hear five different managers talking about their career. For each extract there are two tasks. For Task One, choose

Woman: It’s not a bad company to be with, I’m sure. From what I hear, it could be a lot worse though I’m not the one to ask to make comparisons. I’ve got limited experiences of other companies, because this is my first job. I knew someone who was already here and he put in a word for me and I didn’t even have to do an interview. I learned the trade here and stayed. Mercifully we seem to be free of personnel problems which what seems to afflict a lot of companies. One thing, though, my own department was the only one that didn’t exceed its financial limits last year. I do think we ought to watch budgets. Thankfully, business is good at the moment. We’ve just landed a huge contract, so we have got money to spend, but who knows.
Man: After I finished university I found myself without a job. Not that worried me as I thought I got something. As I expect, you know, last year big firms and teams recruited new staff in the final-year students. And I had been offered one or two jobs when they came round. But I didn’t fancy them. I went around after college, started knocking on doors, literally, and see if there is anything available. These people said yes. It’s a good firm. I think they have everything under control. On the other hand, I disagree with some of their priorities. Their lavish hospitality, for instance, but really mean when it comes to investment, plant and equipment, which is asking for trouble.
Woman: This firm is one of the leading names in my particular field, so I was pretty pleased to get a chance to come here. I was actually head-hunted, which was very flattering. It was all very secret, meetings in restaurants and other venues. It meant that I had been formally interviewed. Wonderful, as I hated interviews. Mind you, I wasn’t that surprised as I had a lot of success in my previous job. I ran into senior people from here at conferences and exhibitions, so I knew people. Now that I am here, I found something I didn’t expect: namely, a company culture that was indifferent to customers, anything from not answering letters to delaying refunds, its complacency resulting from lack of competition. It won’t do. But I am confident I can alter this. And then I think the future is bright.
Man: I wanted to teach engineering, but I ended up doing it, which is not the usual way round. Believe it or not, I failed several interviews after I got my degree and left university. So I really practiced interview technique and also started writing to different firms, hoping to get something on the off chance, which is exactly what happened.
Because this company had a vacancy, they hadn’t yet advertised, and asked me to come for an interview, and I passed the interview. I was so nervous, I remember. I won’t stay here though. They don’t really seem to know what they want to sell, or if they want to sell it to you. As soon as something better turns up, I will take it. I might try working abroad and make use of my foreign languages.
Man: Things are very good at the moment, but with certain reservations. It’s the best job I have ever had, viewing it just as a job. It is very interesting and the salary is very acceptable, I must say. Before I got the job, people in the know were saying it was an expanding field. So when I saw their advertisement in the paper, I applied for it immediately. Now I am here. I have become aware that there seems to be too many people in charge and no one to do anything. I just told they do something about it. Everyone here is happy now, but they will step into trouble, I am sure, if they don’t face to solve the problem. As for whether it is an expanding field, there is no doubt about that.