How to Navigate the Job Market in 2025–2026: Practical Advice for Job Seekers

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 The job market at the turn of 2025 and 2026 looks very different from what many job seekers remember. Recruitment processes are longer, competition is stronger and technology plays a much bigger role in how candidates are screened and selected. For many people, job searching feels more demanding, more automated, and emotionally exhausting. At the same time, employers still look for real people with clear skills, good communication, and the ability to explain their value. Understanding how the market works today can make the difference between feeling stuck and moving forward with confidence. What Has Changed in the Job Market in 2025–2026 Across global markets, job seekers report that hiring processes take significantly longer than before. It is common for recruitment cycles to last several months, with multiple interview stages and long periods of silence between them. Many candidates experience frustration when they receive little or no feedback after interviews, a phenomenon of...
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Effective Communication in Virtual Meetings: Phrases and Examples

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Virtual meetings are a cornerstone of modern business communication. However, they can be challenging if you don’t use the right language or strategies. To help you shine in your next meeting, here are essential phrases and example dialogues for clear, professional, and effective communication.


1. Starting the Meeting

Begin the meeting with clarity and professionalism to set a positive tone.

Phrases to Use:

  • “Good morning/afternoon, everyone. Let’s get started.”
  • “Thank you for joining. Can everyone hear me clearly?”
  • “Before we begin, let’s quickly review the agenda for today.”
  • “Let’s wait another minute for others to join, then we’ll start.”

Example Dialogue:

Host (Anna): “Good afternoon, everyone. I hope you’re doing well. Let’s start by ensuring everyone can hear me clearly. Can you all confirm?”
Participants: “Yes, we can hear you.”
Host (Anna): “Great. Before we dive in, here’s today’s agenda: first, we’ll discuss last week’s progress, then review upcoming tasks, and finally, allocate responsibilities. Does that sound good to everyone?”
Participants: “Sounds good!”

2. Encouraging Participation

Engage your team by inviting feedback and ensuring everyone’s voice is heard.

Phrases to Use:

  • “What are your thoughts on this?”
  • “Does anyone have any questions or comments so far?”
  • “I’d like to hear Michael’s perspective on this.”
  • “Let’s hear from someone who hasn’t spoken yet.”

Example Dialogue:

Host (Anna): “Now that we’ve reviewed the project timeline, I’d love to hear your feedback. What do you think about the proposed deadlines?”
Participant 1 (Michael): “I think the deadlines are reasonable, but the first one might be a bit tight.”
Host (Anna): “Good point. Sarah, do you have any thoughts on this?”
Participant 2 (Sarah): “I agree. Extending it by a week could help us ensure quality.”

3. Managing Challenges

Handle interruptions, technical difficulties, or off-topic discussions with tact.

Phrases to Use for Technical Issues:

  • “It seems there’s a connection issue. Let’s pause for a moment.”
  • “John, it looks like you’re muted.”
  • “Can everyone see my screen?”

Phrases to Redirect Discussions:

  • “Let’s stay on topic and revisit this later.”
  • “That’s an interesting point, but let’s focus on [current topic].”
  • “We’ll table this discussion for now and come back to it later.”

Example Dialogue:

Participant (Mark): “I also think we should explore a completely new strategy for this.”
Host (Anna): “That’s an interesting idea, Mark, but let’s focus on today’s agenda. We can schedule a follow-up to discuss new strategies in detail.”

4. Summarizing and Closing the Meeting

Wrap up the meeting with a clear summary and next steps.

Phrases to Use:

  • “To summarize, we’ve agreed on the following points...”
  • “The action items are as follows...”
  • “Thank you all for your input. I’ll send a follow-up email with the meeting notes.”
  • “If there are no further questions, we’ll end the meeting here.”

Example Dialogue:

Host (Anna): “Let’s quickly summarize what we’ve agreed on. First, the new deadline for the report is next Friday. Second, Michael will handle the client presentation. Third, we’ll schedule a follow-up meeting next week to review progress. Does that cover everything?”
Participants: “Yes, that sounds right.”
Host (Anna): “Perfect. Thank you all for your contributions. I’ll send out the meeting notes shortly. Have a great day!”

5. Additional Tips for Virtual Meetings

  • Speak clearly: Maintain a steady pace to ensure everyone understands.
  • Use active listening phrases: Reinforce engagement with phrases like “That’s a great point” or “I see what you mean.”
  • Check for understanding: Ask questions like “Does that make sense to everyone?”
  • Be concise: Keep your points brief and focused to respect everyone’s time.
  • Use visuals effectively: Share slides or documents to support your point.

Effective communication in virtual meetings is about clarity, engagement, and professionalism. By using these phrases and strategies, you can make a strong impression and ensure your meetings are productive.

Looking for more business English tips? Listen to the latest episodes of Business English Talks for practical advice and actionable strategies!

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