Scene to read · Motivation, Communication
Winter of old tickets
You are a volunteer at a heritage railway who hopes to train as a guide.
In the station's back office, supervisor Oriana, 39, needs someone to catalogue boxes of old tickets all winter, work you find dull. Volunteer coordinator Oren, 26, says spring guide training places can only be promised to volunteers who stay involved. Cataloguing would take most of your available volunteer hours for several months.
The scene
Oren: Training starts this spring; keeping you involved lets me promise a spot.
Oriana: These tickets need cataloguing all winter, before we reopen for visitors.
Oren: I know it's slow work. What could you realistically commit to?
Oriana: I'd appreciate the help, but I need your answer by Friday.
The two questions
- 1What would you decide, and what would you say to Oriana and Oren?
- 2How do you decide whether to take on work you find dull because it helps a group or leads somewhere you want to go?
What raters look for
- Motivation
- Shows genuine, sustained drive and a clear reason for choices, including when work is unglamorous.
- Communication
- Listens first, speaks clearly and respectfully, and adapts the message to the listener.
Answer scenarios like this on the real timers
Answer both questions on the clock, and get each one scored 1–9 the way raters score. Your first set is free, no card.
Practice free
