In-Depth Tips from Dr English
Dr English is the resident expert in language and communication training at Workplace English Training E-Platform (WETE). The informative and often in-depth articles below will help more advanced learners to understand and improve various aspects of their English, especially the English they need for work. You can read Dr English's tips on your PC, laptop or mobile device. These articles are only available for members of WETE. If you would like to subscribe and receive email notifications of future postings, please subscribe by clicking the Newsletter link above.
10 Job Interivew Tips in English |
02 Jan 2024
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Remember that if someone asks you "How do you do?" the correct response is "How do you do". When you meet someone for the first time, you can say "Pleased to meet you." If someone says this to you first, you can reply "Pleased to meet you, too" or "It's a pleasure to meet you, too". If you didn't hear someone's name, you can say "I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name".
You should have the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the interview. You can prepare some before the interview. This will help you research the vocabulary you need and it will make you look interested in the company and the job: There are different types of questions. "Direct" questions use words like "who", "when" or "what" or have an auxiliary at the beginning of the question.
You can also ask "indirect" questions to make what you say sound less demanding. Indirect questions start with an introduction:
3. Try to predict the questions and plan the answers.
As well as maintaining eye contact, you can use phrase such as "Mmm", "I see" or "OK" to show the other person you are paying attention.
6. Check you understand what people say to you.
7. Use a range of vocabulary to present your achievements and experience.
8. Try to remember names and titles (or company positions) when you are introduced. A good way of remembering names is to use them immediately after you hear them. So, if someone introduces you to "Deborah Jones, our Marketing Manager" you can say immediately "Pleased to meet you, Ms Jones".
Nod your head to show you understand and agree with the other person. Keep eye contact with them and try not to use nervous gestures. Ask your friends to help you rehearse the interview - they can tell you if you appear nervous!
The interviewer could say things like:
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You've written a great CV (resume) and covering letter, and the company has asked you to attend an interview. You need to make sure that you make the right impression to get the job! Here are ten tips to help you succeed at the interview.
7 Problem Phrases in Business Writing |
02 Jan 2024
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The problem with this sentence is that the ending ‘well received’ is used in the wrong context. ’Well received’ essentially means that people are happy with what they have read or heard. E.g. “The chairman’s speech was well received by the shareholders.’ Alternative: ‘Thank you for your report’ or ‘I have received your report’.
In this sentence there is redundancy as ‘please’ and ‘kindly’ have the same function, and the duplication does not intensify the meaning of the sentence. To maintain the modern neutral writing style, use the active voice as it is more personal and reduces the distance between the writer and their reader. Alternative: ‘I have attached…’
This sentence shows overuse of the passive voice and is overly formal. The main problem with the overuse of the formal style and the passive voice is that native speakers are likely to assume that you are being unfriendly and unhelpful unless you are writing regarding a formal topic. As above, the active voice is better and more modern, as it shows that you are personally helping the reader. Alternative: ‘I have attached…’
“As per” is a commonly used introductory phrase in Hong Kong writing. However, it is now regarded as an out-of-date expression. Alternative: ‘I am writing following our discussion last week regarding…’ or ‘As discussed last week…’
This sentence is a combination of the passive sentence ‘It would be appreciated if you could…’ and the active sentence ‘I would appreciate it if you could…’ forming a grammatically incorrect sentence. Alternative: Either of the above statements are correct depending on your chosen writing style.
This sentence is grammatically correct and a modern and therefore an acceptable phrase to use in your writing; however it is often misused. It should only be used for internal emails or memos that do not need a reply. The closing paragraph of an email or letter should reinforce your purpose of writing. Alternative: If you give your reader information, ‘If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me on xxxxxx’ is a correct sentence to use. If you require a reply, ‘I look forward to receiving your reply soon’ would be more appropriate.
This is a particularly common Hong Kong reply to information provided. To be honest, this expression is just unnatural. If you say that something is “Noted with…” , you would be referring to the method it was noted. Alternative: ‘Thank you for your information’ is much more natural. |
Problem Phrase 1: Your report is well received. Welcoming Visitors: Using Open and Closed Questions
Paragraph Unity
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