BUSINESS ENGLISH SKILLS

Jasminka Dupor, MA

Petra Čudina, MA

Zagreb, May 2012

►SOVA JEZIČNO UČILIŠTE, Varšavska 14

• programmes aligned with European standards (CEF) and approved by the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports

• certificates acknowledged by academic and professional institutions in Croatia

• widest range of preparation courses for international certificates (Cambridge, Pearson, LCCI)

• experienced teaching staff + interactive, communicative teaching methods

►BUSINESS ENGLISH vs. GENERAL ENGLISH

• gives you the edge on other candidates in the same business sector

• specific linguistic features and style

• aimed at special interest groups (world of work)

• indispensable tool in international communication

►What areas are the most important?

1. presenting oneself (CVs/résumés, covering letters, job interviews)

2. business correspondence (emails, letters, reports)

3. functional business language skills (presentations, negotiations, meetings)

CV (CURRICULUM VITAE)

►A few useful tips:1. MAKE IT CLEAR (direct, simple language, short headings and highlight the important things); it is not narrative, but informative2. MAKE IT SHORT (no more than two sides of paper)3. MAXIMUM 7 SECTIONS

• CAPITALIZATION: headings are in BLOCK LETTERS or capitalize each word except conjunctions- make sure you know how to write titles/abbreviations: BA (first degree in humanities)/BSc (in science); MA/MSc (Postgraduate degree); PhD(Doctoral title)

►MAIN SECTIONS:

1) PERSONAL DETAILS (name,address, birth date, nationality, photo)2) EDUCATION AND TRAINING (educational history + qualifications)3) EMPLOYMENT (jobs you have done, starting with the most recent one)4) SKILLS (languages, computer)5) INTERESTS (avoid obvious ones)6) PERSONAL PROFILE (written in complete sentences, abt. 50 words)7) REFERENCES (two people)

COVERING LETTERSFILL IN: convincing motivate speculative

targeted vacancy vital When to use a covering letter?A covering letter should always be included when you send out a CV or an application form.It should create interest and __________the employer to get to know more about you.There are two types of covering letters. In a __________ covering letter, the writer is responding to a specific advertised___________. However, in a __________covering letter, the writer aims at an employer or a number of companies or organisations he/she is interested in joining. A covering letter is _________especially if your application is speculative, because the employer will only read it and look at your CV if your letter is really_________.

HOW TO STRUCTURE A COVERING LETTER?

Put the sentences in the right order:

______ Highlight your strong points, your understanding of the work, and why you are suited for it.______ End the letter with an appropriate sentence.______ Indicate your availability for interview.______ Explain why you are interested in the job.______ State what the vacancy is and how you heard about it. If the covering letter is speculative, say what kind of work you are interested in.

Hello SirsMy name is Vadim Kufenko and I have seen your advert in yesterday's newspaper.I am writing to apply for the position of research assistant.I was working for the last three years as an IT project manager for CIP Group.I really liked this job and I am a farily good team worker.I really like new challenges and I would like to join a lively team where I could realize my potential. I believe that the role of senior project manager in your company would offer me this challenge.I would love to work for you and I really hope you'll give me a chance to prove myself.I suggest you not to waste this opportunity because I will be your star employee!!Hope to see you soon.Best,Vadim Kufenko

►A FEW USEFUL TIPS:

1. avoid starting each sentence with ‘I’ - use gerunds/passives/participles(Working for your company would give me the chance to further develop my...Raised in a family of lawyers, I am used to...Having read your advert...)

2. be careful about the length – about 200 words

3. must be concise and persuasive

►FUNCTIONAL PHRASESMATCH:

a. For you to read _____ 1 invaluable experience

b. Will be very interesting for me _____ 2 available for interview

c. Just right for me _____ 3 an asset to the organization

d. Will be helpful for my future _____ 4 for your consideration

e. Learn some practical things _____ 5 can work to tight deadlines

f. I am a good person for you ____ 6 provide with challenge

g. I can finish work on time _____ 7 well suited for my qualifications

h. I can visit you _____ 8 gain skills

JOB INTERVIEW

• prepare yourself well (do research, read your CV)• take advantage of predictable questions (Where/Why/What)• use a range of tenses when speaking about yourself• practice speaking slowly • be polite but natural (let them know you're under stress)

• come up with a list of questions – it's a two way process (be careful about reported speech)

• smart appearance

UNCONVENTIONAL JOB INTERVIEWS

- becoming increasingly common

- purpose: to gain insight into your creativity and personality

►YOU MAY BE ASKED TO:

• act out a ‘scenario’ – make a decision on the spot; go to lunch with the manager or CEO

• answer unusual, unexpected questions

►UNCONVENTIONAL QUESTIONS IN IT SECTOR

1. If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpower to be?

2. If you were a cereal box on a long grocery store aisle, why would I put YOU in my shopping cart when there are so many other boxes?

3. If you were an IP address, what would it be?

4. If you didn't have any financial obligations, what would you be doing with your time?

5. How does a computer mouse work?

BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE

Hi Pete!

Thanks for your letter. I'm glad you like my shirts and shorts! You say you want a price list.I put one in with this letter.You want a discount! I'll give you a discount! How about 20 percent discount if you get 100 shirts? Sound cool?We've got loads of colours. Just say what you want, man!

See you laterSimon

Dear Mr SmartThank you for your letter of June 13th this year and the interest in our apparel. Regarding your request for a price list, please find the updated version in the attachment.About the discount, please note that our standard policy is to grant discount based on the quantity of goods ordered. If you order more than 100 items of clothing, you will be given a 20 percent net price reduction. We hope you find these terms acceptable.In addition, we would like to draw your attention to a wide range of colours available for our apparel which may help you in making your offer.If you have any additional questions, do not hesitate to contact us.Kind/Best regards BUT Yours sincerelySimon Le BonSales Manager

►A FEW USEFUL TIPS:

• style or register is the underlying tone of the message (formal / semi-formal)• DO NOT capitalize ‘you’

►Formal style: - no short verb forms (can't=cannot) - passives (‘It is highly recommended that we...’ ‘It would be advisable/helpful to...’)-reported questions (‘Do you require any references?’ ‘Please inform me if you require any references.’)- reporting phrases (‘I would appreciate if you could’...OR ‘Could you please let me know if’... OR ‘I would like to find out when/if...’)- opening and closing (Dear Sir/Madam - Yours faithfully Dear Mr Simpson - Yours sincerely) * emails - can end in Kind regards, Best regards

FUNCTIONAL BUSINESS LANGUAGE

►PHRASES FOR TAKING PART IN MEETINGS

1. AGREEING PHRASES (That's fine; I can accept that; I see; I couldn't agree more)

2. DISAGREEING (I'm afraid that's not possible; I'll need to think about that; Unfortunately, we can't do that)

3. MAKING SUGGESTIONS (I would suggest + ing; I think we should; Why don't we...?)

4. STATING OPINIONS (I'd say that; What we think should be done is...; We are of the opinion that...)

5. GIVING ADVICE (If I were you; I think you should...)

►NEGOTIATING

a) HORSE-TRADING (If you agree to lower the price, we will give you a 2-year guarantee)b) REJECTING OPTIONS (This is out of the question / We can't possibly accept that...)c) ACCEPTING OPTIONS (We can go with that/live with that / That would be fine with us)

►PRESENTATIONS• Today, I’m going to talk about...; There are ...parts to my presentation; First, I’ll deal with...; Next, I’ll talk about; Finally, I’ll discuss; Thank you for listening; Are there any questions?

Thank you for

bearing with us!In case of any queries, do not hesitate to contact us:

Jasminka Dupor:

jasminka.dupor@sova.hr

Petra Čudina:

petra_cudina@yahoo.com