A Sales Assistant in the UK

Restricted use

Image: Shutterstock, NTB scanpix

Before listening, use the dictionary to check that you know the meaning of the following words: commission; engagement ring; items; browse; employee; merchandising

Listen to the following interview with a sales assistant in the UK
and find out:

• Where she works (type of company - large/small, etc)
• Where about in the UK she works.
• Why she chose this profession.
• What type of tasks she has to do on a typical day at work.
• What personal qualities she suggests are needed by a sales assistant.
• Does she describe any work processes or services that she provides?
• What she likes best and least about her job.
• How she thinks this line of work will change in the future.
• Where she sees herself in 5 - 10 years' time.

After you have practised, add more dialogue for some of the following situations:

• The customer does not like what the sales assistant is suggesting, and is very rude.
• The customer disagrees politely with the sales assistant's choice and says that he would prefer a more unusual ring. She suggests something.
• The customer wants to buy a bracelet for his girlfriend.
• The customer brings back the engagement ring. It was too big and needs resizing.
• The customer's girlfriend wants the in-house jeweler to add one more diamond in her engagement ring.