Following up on a job interview while protecting confidentiality | Learn Spanish in Engli…

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: In a job interview follow-up, a candidate clarifies next steps and offers work samples while protecting confidential client information..

EN → ES / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Following up on a job interview while protecting confidentiality to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

¿Podría aclararme cuáles son los próximos pasos del proceso?

poh-DREE-ah ah-klah-RAHR-meh KWAH-les sohn lohs PROK-see-mohs PAH-sohs del proh-SEH-soh Could you clarify the next steps in the process?
B

El comité revisará sus materiales y decidirá si hace falta otra conversación.

el koh-mee-TEH reh-bee-sah-RAH soos mah-teh-ree-AH-les ee deh-see-dee-RAH see AH-seh FAHL-tah OH-trah kohn-behr-sah-SYOHN The panel will review your materials and decide whether another conversation is needed.
A

Puedo subir las muestras solicitadas a través del portal de la solicitud.

PWEH-doh soo-BEER lahs MWEHS-trahs soh-lee-see-TAH-dahs ah trah-BEHS del pohr-TAHL deh lah soh-lee-see-TOOD I can upload the requested samples through the application portal.
B

El resumen del proyecto que mencionó sería especialmente útil.

el reh-SOO-mehn del proh-YEHK-toh keh mehn-syoh-NOH seh-REE-ah ehs-peh-syahl-MEHN-teh OO-teel The project summary you mentioned would be especially useful.
A

Puedo incluir el contexto sin revelar información confidencial de clientes.

PWEH-doh een-kloo-EER el kohn-TEHKS-toh seen reh-beh-LAHR een-fohr-mah-SYOHN kohn-fee-den-SYAHL deh KLYEHN-tehs I can include context without exposing confidential client information.
B

Ese tipo de criterio al manejar información confidencial es importante aquí.

EH-seh TEE-poh deh kree-TEH-ryoh al mah-neh-HAHR een-fohr-mah-SYOHN kohn-fee-den-SYAHL es eem-pohr-TAHN-teh ah-KEE That kind of judgment when handling confidential information is important here.
A

¿Cuándo debería esperar recibir noticias sobre el resultado de la revisión?

KWAHN-doh deh-beh-REE-ah ehs-peh-RAHR reh-see-BEER no-TEE-syahs SOH-breh el reh-sool-TAH-doh deh lah reh-bee-SYOHN When should I expect to hear the outcome of the review?
B

Nos pondremos en contacto con usted después de que el comité termine su debate.

nohs pohnd-REH-mohs en kohn-TAHK-toh kohn oo-STEHD dehs-PWEHS deh keh el koh-mee-TEH tehr-MEE-neh soo deh-BAH-teh We will contact you after the panel finishes its discussion.

Word by Word

Podría “Podría” expresses “could” in a polite request for clarification. It softens the request in “¿Podría aclararme cuáles son los próximos pasos del proceso?” and commonly appears before an infinitive in this kind of request.
aclararme “aclararme” means “clarify for me” in this question. It combines the action of clarifying with “me,” the person who receives the clarification, as in “Podría aclararme cuáles son los próximos pasos del proceso?”. A reusable pattern is “aclararme” followed by the information that needs clarification.
cuáles “cuáles” asks which specific items are being identified. In “cuáles son los próximos pasos”, it introduces the answer about the next steps, and it is used with the plural noun phrase “los próximos pasos”.
son “son” connects “cuáles” with the noun phrase “los próximos pasos” to state what those steps are. It is the verb in “cuáles son los próximos pasos” and is useful when identifying several items.
los “los” marks “próximos pasos” as a definite masculine plural noun phrase. In “los próximos pasos”, it refers to the particular steps in the process, not steps in general.
próximos “próximos” means “next” or “upcoming” and describes “pasos” that will come later in the process. It agrees with the plural noun in “los próximos pasos” and is reusable before a noun for upcoming items.
pasos “pasos” means “steps” here: the stages or actions that come next in the process. The phrase “los próximos pasos” is a common way to ask about or explain what will happen next.
del “del” means “of the” in “del proceso”. It is the contraction of “de” and “el”, and it links “pasos” to the process they belong to.
proceso “proceso” means “process”, referring here to the stages after the interview. In “los próximos pasos del proceso”, it identifies the process whose steps are being discussed.
El “El” is the definite article before the singular noun “comité” in “El comité”. It marks the specific committee being discussed, and its initial capital letter is due to its position at the start of the sentence.
comité “comité” means “committee” or “panel”, the group that will review the candidate’s materials. It is the subject of “El comité revisará sus materiales” and can be used for a group making a decision.
revisará “revisará” means “will review” in the committee’s planned next action. It is a future form related to “revisar”, and “revisará sus materiales” gives the object being reviewed.
sus “sus” means “your” in “sus materiales”, referring to materials belonging to the person being addressed. It is placed before the plural noun and can be reused with other plural items belonging to that person.
materiales “materiales” means “materials”, here referring to the candidate’s submitted application materials. The phrase “revisará sus materiales” shows the common pattern of a review verb followed by the items being reviewed.
y “y” means “and” and joins the committee’s two actions: reviewing the materials and deciding whether another conversation is needed. It connects “revisará sus materiales” with “decidirá si hace falta otra conversación”.
decidirá “decidirá” means “will decide” about the next stage of the process. It is a future form related to “decidir” and is followed by “si hace falta otra conversación”, which states the decision being considered.
si “si” means “whether” in “si hace falta otra conversación”. It introduces the question or condition that the committee will decide about, and it is used here after “decidirá”.
hace “hace” contributes to the expression “hace falta”, which means that something is needed. In “si hace falta otra conversación”, it helps state whether another conversation is necessary rather than meaning “makes” by itself.
falta “falta” completes “hace falta” and contributes the idea of need or lack. In “hace falta otra conversación”, the whole expression says that another conversation is needed.
otra “otra” means “another” and indicates one more conversation in “otra conversación”. It agrees with the feminine singular noun “conversación” and is useful before a noun when an additional item is meant.
conversación “conversación” means “conversation”, referring here to a possible further interview discussion. In “otra conversación”, it identifies the additional exchange that may be needed.
Puedo “Puedo” means “I can” and states that the speaker is able or willing to upload the samples. It is followed by the infinitive “subir”, as in “Puedo subir las muestras solicitadas”.
subir “subir” means “upload” in this application-portal context. It follows “Puedo” in “Puedo subir las muestras solicitadas” and is used with the files or materials being uploaded.
las “las” marks “muestras solicitadas” as a definite feminine plural noun phrase. In “las muestras solicitadas”, it refers to the particular samples requested by the panel.
muestras “muestras” means “samples”, here referring to work samples for the application. The phrase “subir las muestras solicitadas” gives a useful pattern for saying that requested files or examples will be uploaded.
solicitadas “solicitadas” means “requested” and describes the samples that the application process has asked for. It agrees with the feminine plural noun “muestras” and is related to “solicitar”.
a Here, “a” is part of the expression “a través del portal”, which means “through the portal”. It does not independently carry the whole meaning of “through”; it works with the following words in that expression.
través “través” is part of the fixed expression “a través del portal”, meaning that the upload is done through the portal. The complete pattern “a través de” is used to indicate a route or means.
portal “portal” means “portal”, here the online application portal used to upload the samples. In “a través del portal”, it identifies the channel through which the action is carried out.
de “de” means “of” in “de la solicitud” and links the portal to the application. It introduces the thing that the portal is associated with.
la “la” marks “solicitud” as a definite feminine singular noun in “la solicitud”. It refers to the specific application connected with the portal.
solicitud “solicitud” means “application” in “el portal de la solicitud”. It identifies the application process rather than a general request, and “de la solicitud” specifies what the portal belongs to.
resumen “resumen” means “summary”, here a concise presentation of the project. In “El resumen del proyecto que mencionó”, it is the material the panel says would be especially useful.
proyecto “proyecto” means “project”. The phrase “resumen del proyecto” identifies the project whose summary is being discussed, using “del” to express the relationship.
que “que” links “el proyecto” to the information about having mentioned it in “el proyecto que mencionó”. It introduces the clause that identifies which project is meant.
mencionó “mencionó” refers to the earlier act of mentioning the project. In “que mencionó”, it identifies the project the person previously brought up, and it is related to “mencionar”.
sería “sería” means “would be” and presents the project summary as especially useful in a qualified evaluation. It is a conditional form related to “ser” in “sería especialmente útil”.
especialmente “especialmente” means “especially” and intensifies the evaluation of the summary. It modifies “útil” in “sería especialmente útil” and is placed before the adjective here.
útil “útil” means “useful”, describing the practical value of the project summary. In “sería especialmente útil”, it completes the evaluation of what the panel would benefit from receiving.
incluir “incluir” means “include” in the speaker’s offer to add context to the samples. It follows “Puedo” in “Puedo incluir el contexto” and takes the material being added as its object.
contexto “contexto” means “context”, referring to background information that helps explain the work. In “incluir el contexto”, it is the information being added without revealing confidential details.
sin “sin” means “without” and introduces an action that will be avoided in “sin revelar información confidencial de clientes”. It is followed by an infinitive to describe what will not happen.
revelar “revelar” means “reveal” or “expose” in “sin revelar información confidencial de clientes”. It is an infinitive after “sin” and identifies the disclosure the speaker intends to avoid.
información “información” means “information”, here referring to confidential details connected with clients. The phrase “información confidencial de clientes” specifies what must not be revealed.
confidencial “confidencial” means “confidential” and describes information that should not be disclosed. In “información confidencial de clientes”, it comes after the noun and qualifies its handling.
clientes “clientes” means “clients”, referring to the people whose confidential information is being protected. In “información confidencial de clientes”, it identifies whose information is meant.
Ese “Ese” means “that” and points to the kind of judgment just described. In “Ese tipo de criterio”, it modifies “tipo” and helps refer back to the speaker’s careful handling of information.
tipo “tipo” means “kind” or “type” in “Ese tipo de criterio”. The expression identifies a particular kind of judgment, and “de criterio” specifies what kind it is.
criterio “criterio” means “judgment” or “discretion” in the context of handling confidential information. In “Ese tipo de criterio”, it refers to the ability to decide what context can be shared appropriately.
al “al” is the contraction of “a” and “el” and introduces the infinitive phrase “al manejar información confidencial”. Here it means “when” or “in the process of” handling something.
manejar “manejar” means “handle” in “al manejar información confidencial”. It is an infinitive after “al” and describes the activity in which good judgment is important.
es “es” states that the judgment is important in “es importante aquí”. It links the subject “Ese tipo de criterio” with the description that follows.
importante “importante” means “important” and evaluates the judgment needed when handling confidential information. In “es importante aquí”, it describes what matters in this interview context.
aquí “aquí” means “here” and limits the statement to this situation or role. In “es importante aquí”, it points to the context of the application and confidential client information.
Cuándo “Cuándo” means “when” and asks for the timing of receiving the review outcome. It begins the question “¿Cuándo debería esperar recibir noticias sobre el resultado de la revisión?”.
debería “debería” expresses “should” in a polite question about the expected timing. In “debería esperar recibir noticias”, it asks what time would be reasonable to expect an update.
esperar “esperar” means “expect” in “debería esperar recibir noticias”. It follows “debería” and is followed by the event that is expected.
recibir “recibir” means “receive” in “recibir noticias sobre el resultado de la revisión”. It identifies what the speaker expects to happen and is used as an infinitive after “esperar”.
noticias “noticias” literally means “news”, but here it means information or word about the review outcome. The reusable expression “recibir noticias sobre” introduces the subject of the update.
sobre “sobre” means “about” and links “noticias” to the subject of those news: “el resultado de la revisión”. It is used to introduce the topic of information received.
resultado “resultado” means “outcome” or “result”, here the decision produced by the review. In “el resultado de la revisión”, it names what the speaker is waiting to hear about.
revisión “revisión” means “review”, referring to the panel’s examination of the submitted materials. The phrase “resultado de la revisión” identifies the review that produces the outcome.
Nos “Nos” is part of the expression “Nos pondremos en contacto con usted”, meaning “we will get in touch with you”. Here it works with “pondremos” rather than independently meaning “us”.
pondremos “pondremos” is used with “nos” in “Nos pondremos en contacto con usted” to mean “we will get in touch with you”. It is a future form related to “poner”, but the complete expression carries the contact meaning.
en “en” is part of the expression “en contacto con usted”. Together with “contacto”, it expresses being in contact, and “con usted” identifies the person contacted.
contacto “contacto” means “contact” in the expression “Nos pondremos en contacto con usted”. The complete expression is used when someone promises to communicate with another person.
con “con” means “with” in “en contacto con usted”. It introduces the person with whom the committee will establish contact.
usted “usted” means formal singular “you” and identifies the candidate as the person who will be contacted. It appears after “con” in “en contacto con usted”.
después “después” means “after” and places the contact later than the committee’s discussion. It is used with “de que” in “después de que el comité termine su debate”.
termine “termine” means “finishes” in the time clause “después de que el comité termine su debate”. It is a form related to “terminar” used for the committee’s future or not-yet-completed discussion.
su “su” means “its” here and refers back to “el comité” in “su debate”. It is placed before the singular noun and indicates that the debate belongs to the committee.
debate “debate” means “discussion” or “debate”, referring to the panel’s discussion after reviewing the materials. In “su debate”, it names the event that must finish before the committee makes contact.

Grammar Points

Futuro simple: raíz del infinitivo + -á / -án

El comité revisará los materiales y decidirá los próximos pasos.

el koh-mee-TEH reh-bee-sah-RAH lohs mah-teh-ree-AH-les ee deh-see-dee-RAH lohs PROK-see-mohs PAH-sohs

The committee will review the materials and decide the next steps.

El futuro simple expresa acciones que ocurrirán después, como revisará y decidirá.

Después de que + subjuntivo

Después de que termine la revisión, nos pondremos en contacto.

dehs-PWEHS deh keh tehr-MEE-neh lah reh-bee-SYOHN, nohs pohnd-REH-mohs en kohn-TAHK-toh

After the review is finished, we will get in touch.

Se usa el subjuntivo cuando la acción posterior todavía no ha ocurrido.

Spanish Vocabulary

aclarar verb
ah-klah-RAHR clarify aclararme
comité noun
koh-mee-TEH panel; committee
conversación noun
kohn-behr-sah-SYOHN conversation
decidir verb
deh-see-DEER decide decidirá
hacer falta phrase
AH-sehr FAHL-tah be needed hace falta
material noun
mah-teh-ree-AHL material materiales
muestra noun
MWEHS-trah sample muestras
paso noun
PAH-soh step pasos
proceso noun
proh-SEH-soh process
próximo adj
PROK-see-moh next próximos
revisar verb
reh-bee-SAHR review revisará
subir verb
soo-BEER upload

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

process

Show Answerproceso

next

Show Answerpróximos

decide

Show Answerdecidirá

panel; committee

Show Answercomité