This beginner English short story follows Jay as he goes to his first job interview at a movie theater. It’s written for A2–B1 learners using the 2,000 most common words in English. Read along with Camille in the video, learn useful job interview vocabulary and questions, then test yourself with the quiz.
Level: A2–B1 (high beginner)
Reading time: About 2 minutes
Topic: Jobs, job interviews, work
From the book: 60 Beginner English Short Stories, page 167
How to use this lesson
First, watch the video and listen to Camille read the full story. Next, read the story below on your own and check any words you don’t know in the vocabulary list. Then practice answering the interview questions yourself. Finally, take the quiz to see how much you understood.
The story: The Job Interview
Jay wanted a weekend job. His friend told him the movie theater was hiring. Jay liked movies and wanted to make some money. He filled out an application and called the theater. The manager said, “Come for an interview on Thursday afternoon.”
Jay wanted to look professional. He wore a dark blue suit, a tie, and dress shoes. When he got to the theater, he noticed something funny. The workers were wearing jeans and T-shirts.
Jay sighed. “I think I dressed too fancy for popcorn.”
The manager kindly responded, “You look great. Come in.”
They sat in the office for the interview. The manager asked, “Why do you want this job?”
Jay thought for a second and said, “I like talking to people, and I love movies.”
She asked, “Can you work weekends?”
“Yes,” Jay said.
She asked, “What would you do if a customer is angry?”
Jay shrugged a little. “I would try to stay calm and see what I could do to help them.”
“Do you have experience working in a movie theater?” she asked.
“I don’t have experience,” Jay said, “but I learn fast, and I’m honest. I spent a couple of years working at a fast food restaurant, so I know how to talk to people and handle difficult situations.”
The manager shook his hand. “I think that’s all for now. Thanks, Jay. We’ll call you soon.”
On Monday, Jay got a phone call. “Hi, this is the theater manager. We want to give you the job. Can you start work tomorrow?”
Jay was so happy. “Thank you! Yes, I can. I won’t wear the suit again. I promise.”
The manager laughed.
Key vocabulary from the story
| Word or phrase | Meaning | Example from the story |
|---|---|---|
| weekend job | a job you do on Saturday and Sunday | Jay wanted a weekend job. |
| hiring | looking for new workers | The movie theater was hiring. |
| make money | earn money by working | He wanted to make some money. |
| fill out | write your information on a form | He filled out an application. |
| application | a form you complete to ask for a job | He filled out an application. |
| interview | a meeting where a company asks you questions for a job | Come for an interview on Thursday. |
| professional | looking or acting right for work | Jay wanted to look professional. |
| notice | see something for the first time | He noticed something funny. |
| sigh | breathe out loudly because you feel tired or disappointed | Jay sighed. |
| fancy | very nice, more formal than needed | I dressed too fancy for popcorn. |
| customer | a person who buys something from a business | What if a customer is angry? |
| shrug | move your shoulders up to show you’re not sure | Jay shrugged a little. |
| stay calm | stay relaxed and not get upset | I would try to stay calm. |
| experience | knowledge from doing something before | Do you have experience? |
| handle | deal with a problem or situation | I know how to handle difficult situations. |
| shake someone’s hand | hold someone’s hand to greet them or say goodbye | The manager shook his hand. |
Job interview questions from the story
Jay’s interview has four questions you’ll hear in many real job interviews in English. Here’s what each one is really asking.
| Question | What it’s asking | Jay’s answer |
|---|---|---|
| Why do you want this job? | Your reason and motivation | “I like talking to people, and I love movies.” |
| Can you work weekends? | Your availability (when you can work) | “Yes.” |
| What would you do if a customer is angry? | How you handle problems | “I would try to stay calm and see what I could do to help them.” |
| Do you have experience? | What you’ve done before | He’s honest, then shares related experience and his strengths. |
Notice Jay’s smart answer to the experience question. He didn’t have movie theater experience, but he talked about skills he did have: he learns fast, he’s honest, and he knows how to work with people.
Try it: Imagine you’re applying for a job. Write your own answer to “Why do you want this job?”
A tip from Camille
“In American English, we usually say movie theater instead of cinema. If you’re going with a friend, you’d say, ‘I’m going to the movies.’ And if you’re preparing for a job interview in English, know why you want the job before you go. It’s one of the first questions they’ll ask!”
Grammar tip: would for imagined situations
We use would + a verb to talk about what we’d do in an imagined or possible situation.
- What would you do if a customer was angry?
- I would try to stay calm.
- I would help them find a solution.
This is very common in job interviews, because employers often ask, “What would you do if…?”
Try it: Answer this question with would: “What would you do if a customer’s order was wrong?”
Check your understanding
- Where did Jay apply for the job?
a) A pizza shop b) A movie theater c) A clothing store - What did Jay wear to the interview?
a) Jeans and a hoodie b) Shorts and sneakers c) A suit and tie - What happened on Monday?
a) He got the job b) He got lost c) He missed a call - What day was Jay’s interview?
a) Monday b) Thursday c) Saturday - What were the workers at the theater wearing?
a) Suits b) Jeans and T-shirts c) Uniforms
REVEAL THE QUIZ ANSWERS
Answers: 1-b, 2-c, 3-a, 4-b, 5-b
Read 59 more stories like this one
“Job Interview” is one of 60 stories in 60 Beginner English Short Stories. If you read the whole book, you’ll learn the 2,000 most common words in English, all in the context of real stories.
The book includes free audio for every story, 32 grammar tips, and comprehension quizzes with an answer key after each story.
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
What level is this English short story?
This story is for A2–B1 learners. If you know basic English and want to build your reading and listening skills, it’s a great fit.
How can short stories help me learn English?
Stories show you words in context, so you remember them more easily. Reading and listening to the same story also helps with pronunciation and natural speaking rhythm.
Where is this story from?
It’s from 60 Beginner English Short Stories by Camille Hanson, page 132.
Does the book have audio?
Yes! 60 Beginner English Short Stories and all my books include free audio to help you learn English faster and more effectively!
What if this story is too easy for me?
If you understood everything, try Camille’s Intermediate and Advanced English Short Story books on YouTube for more of a challenge.
Your turn!
Have you ever had a job interview in English? What was the hardest question? Tell us in the comments on the YouTube video!
