Practical English

Workplace English

Workplace English is mostly a small set of situations repeated. Prepare for the situations and the language comes with them.

Job interviews

Questions you will almost certainly be asked

Tell me about yourself. — Ninety seconds: what you do now, what you did before, why you are here. Not your life history.
Why do you want this job? — Something about them, not only about you. Show you know what the organisation does.
What are your strengths? — Two strengths, each with an example of when it mattered.
What is your weakness? — Name a real one, then say what you are doing about it. A false weakness is transparent.
Where do you see yourself in five years? — Show ambition that fits this job, not a plan to leave it.
Do you have any questions for us? — Always have two. Having none suggests you are not interested.

Useful phrases

In my previous position, I was responsible for…
I have about four years of experience in…
One example of that would be when…
I am particularly interested in this role because…
That is a good question. Let me think for a moment.
Could I just clarify what you mean by…?
Thank you for your time. I am very interested in the position.

If you do not understand a question

Ask. It is far better than answering the wrong question. Sorry, could you rephrase that? or Do you mean… ? Interviewers do not think less of a candidate who checks; they think less of one who guesses and rambles.

Meetings

Getting into the conversation

Could I add something here?
May I say something about that?
Sorry — just one point on that.
Before we move on, could I ask…?

Agreeing and disagreeing

I agree entirely. / That is a good point.
I see what you mean, but… — the standard polite disagreement.
I am not sure I agree. My concern is…
I take your point, although…
Note: in English-speaking workplaces, direct contradiction (You are wrong) is unusual. Disagreement is normally softened, and the softening is expected.

Being clear about actions

So, to summarise: I will do X, and you will do Y.
Could we agree a deadline for that?
Who will take responsibility for this?
Can I confirm that in writing afterwards?

When you did not follow

Sorry, I did not catch that last point.
Could you go over that again?
Just so I am clear — are you saying that…?

Email at work

The rules

A subject line that says what it is about. Question is useless; Leave request for 12–14 September is useful.
Say what you want in the first sentence.
One subject per email. Two subjects in one email means one of them gets forgotten.
Say what you want to happen and by when.
Read it once before sending. Especially anything written when you were annoyed.

Useful openings

I am writing to ask about…
Further to our conversation this morning,…
Thank you for your email. To answer your question,…
I am sorry for the delay in replying.
Just a quick note to confirm…

Useful closings

Please let me know if you need anything further.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Many thanks for your help.
Kind regards, (safe for almost every situation)

Three things worth being able to say at work

Asking for help without sounding incapable

Could I ask your advice on something?
I want to make sure I do this correctly — could you show me once?
I have tried X and Y. Is there something I am missing?

Saying no, or not yet

I would like to, but I am fully committed until Thursday.
I can do that if we move the other deadline. Which would you prefer?
I am afraid that is not going to be possible by Friday.

Giving bad news

I am afraid there is a problem with… — say it early, not at the end.
The delivery will be two days late. I am arranging a replacement supplier. — problem, then what you are doing about it.
Never hide bad news in the middle of a long paragraph. It is always discovered, and always worse when it is.