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Showing posts with the label business English

How to Choose the Right Examples for Your Job Interview. Job Interview Stories (Part 2)

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 In Part 1 of this series, we focused on clarity before confidence - why being clear about your role and value matters more than sounding impressive. If you prefer to listen rather than read, this topic is also discussed in the Business English Talks podcast, where we break down real interview answers and explain why some of them work better than others. In this article, we move to the next step: choosing the right examples. Even professionals with strong experience often struggle in interviews because they talk about the wrong situations - or they choose examples that are too complex, too vague, or not clearly connected to the question. This article will help you choose examples that are: easy to explain, relevant to the role, and effective in real interview situations. Along the way, you’ll find ready-to-use Business English phrases you can apply immediately. Why examples matter more than job titles Interviewers don’t hire job titles. They hire people who can solve problems and ...
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Why Do You Want to Work Here? – How to Answer This Key Interview Question in Business English

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  Welcome to Part 4 of the Job Interview Series on Business English Talks! Today’s post covers another classic and often misunderstood question: “Why do you want to work here?” Learn how to answer "Why do you want to work here?" in a job interview. Includes real examples, strong business English phrases, and a simple formula to tailor your answer This is your chance to show the interviewer that you’ve done your homework and that you’re not just applying to every job out there. A strong answer can make you stand out from other candidates - especially if your English is clear, confident, and relevant. Why do interviewers ask this question? They want to know: If you understand what the company does Whether your values align with theirs How well you’ve prepared If you’ll be motivated in the role A Simple Formula:  KNOW – CONNECT – CONTRIBUTE 1. KNOW the company - Show that you understand what they do or what they stand for. 2. CONNECT to your values or interests - - Why does this...
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54: How to Talk About Your Strengths and Weaknesses in a Job Interview – Business English Tips

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  Welcome back to Business English Talks, your resource for professional English you can actually use. This is part three of our Job Interview Series, and today we’re focusing on a classic but tricky question: “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” This question is almost guaranteed to come up in one form or another, and it's your chance to show self-awareness, professionalism, and confidence. ✅ Why do interviewers ask this question? They want to know: If you understand your value and your limits. Whether you are honest and realistic. How you deal with challenges or mistakes. What strengths you bring to their company. 💪 Talking About Strengths Focus on professional qualities that are relevant to the job. Choose 1–3 and support each with a quick example. 🌟 Useful Phrases: One of my strengths is... I’m good at... I’m known for being... I’ve always been strong in... My colleagues often say I’m... I consistently receive positive feedback on... I have a natural ability to... 💼 Exa...
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53: How to Answer "Tell Me About Yourself" in a Job Interview – A Practical Guide

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Welcome to Business English Talks – your go-to blog for practical English in the professional world. Today’s post continues our interview preparation series and focuses on one of the most important and frequently asked questions: “Tell me about yourself.” It may sound easy, but many people struggle with this question – they either say too little or go into irrelevant personal stories. Let’s break it down so you can answer clearly, confidently, and professionally. Why do interviewers ask this question? This question helps the interviewer: Get a quick overview of your background See how you present yourself Understand your career path Evaluate your communication skills This is not the time to talk about your childhood or hobbies. It’s your chance to present yourself as the right person for the role. 🧩 The Simple Formula: Present – Past – Future 1. Present: What do you do now? What is your current job or focus? 2. Past: What relevant experience do you have? 3. Future: What are you lookin...
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52: English for Job Interviews. 1: How to Talk About Your Responsibilities – Clearly and Professionally

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  In almost every job interview, you’ll be asked about your previous work experience – and more specifically, what you were responsible for. Many people answer this with: > “I did this… I worked there… I had to do that…” But these phrases are too general or too casual. Let’s look at how to describe your responsibilities in a way that’s clear, professional, and natural – and how to avoid sounding too basic or vague. ✅ 1. The go-to structure: “I was responsible for…” This is a safe, professional and flexible phrase. You can use it in almost any context. Examples: I was responsible for managing customer accounts. I was responsible for training new employees and answering client emails. I was responsible for scheduling meetings and preparing reports. Why we like it: It’s clear, easy to expand, and sounds professional. ✅ 2. Useful alternatives to add variety You don’t want to repeat the same phrase in every answer. Try using some of these alternatives: I handled... I handled customer...
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Mastering Small Talk with the FORD Method: Exploring "Occupation" (O)

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  When it comes to small talk, asking about someone’s job or work is often the easiest and safest way to start a conversation. Work is a common topic that people are comfortable discussing, and it naturally opens up opportunities for follow-up questions and deeper connections. In this post, we’ll explore the "O" for Occupation part of the FORD method (Family, Occupation, Recreation, Dreams). You’ll find useful questions, natural phrases, example dialogues, and tips to match the tone to every situation. Why Talking About Occupation Works Safe & Familiar: Most people are comfortable discussing their work. Opens Doors: Work often connects to other topics like interests, goals, or travel. Universal: No matter the culture, people work, study, or pursue careers. Occupation-Related Small Talk Questions Formal Settings: These work well in professional meetings, networking events, or conferences: “What line of work are you in?” “How did you get started in your field?” “What’s the ...
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54: How to Talk About Your Strengths and Weaknesses in a Job Interview – Business English Tips

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  Welcome back to Business English Talks, your resource for professional English you can actually use. This is part three of our Job Interview Series, and today we’re focusing on a classic but tricky question: “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” This question is almost guaranteed to come up in one form or another, and it's your chance to show self-awareness, professionalism, and confidence. ✅ Why do interviewers ask this question? They want to know: If you understand your value and your limits. Whether you are honest and realistic. How you deal with challenges or mistakes. What strengths you bring to their company. 💪 Talking About Strengths Focus on professional qualities that are relevant to the job. Choose 1–3 and support each with a quick example. 🌟 Useful Phrases: One of my strengths is... I’m good at... I’m known for being... I’ve always been strong in... My colleagues often say I’m... I consistently receive positive feedback on... I have a natural ability to... 💼 Exa...
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