- •Contents
- •Chapter 1
- •1. Business Letters in English
- •1.1. Who writes Business Letters?
- •1.1.2. Why write Business Letters?
- •1.2. Business Letter Vocabulary
- •1.3. Business Letter Formats
- •1.3.1. Formatting Business Letters
- •1.3.2. Formatting Envelopes for Business Letters
- •1.3.3. Formatting Business Memos
- •1.3.4. Formatting Business Email
- •1.4. Planning a Business Letter
- •1.4.1. Who am I writing this letter to?
- •1.4.2. Why am I writing this letter?
- •1.4.3. Are there specific details I need to include?
- •1.4.4. Do I require a response?
- •1.4.5. How can I organize my points logically?
- •1.5. Writing a Business Letter
- •1.5.1. Salutation
- •1.5.2. First paragraph
- •1.5.3. Second and third paragraphs
- •1.5.4. Final paragraph
- •1.5.5. Closing
- •1.5.6. Writing Tips
- •1.6. Proofreading a Business Letter
- •1.6.1. Checklist
- •1.7. Business Letters Samples Requesting Information
- •Sending Information
- •Price Change Notice
- •Chapter 2
- •2. Resumes, cVs and Covering Letters in English
- •A cv or resume
- •A covering letter
- •2.2.1. Content
- •2.2.2. Format
- •2.3. Your cv/Resume
- •2.3.1. Content
- •2.3.2. Format
- •2.3.2.1. Word-processed or hand-written?
- •2.3.2.2. How many pages?
- •2.3.2.3. What size paper?
- •2.3.2.4. What quality paper?
- •2.3.2.5. What sort of typeface?
- •2.3.3.1. Do this...
- •2.3.3.2. Don't do this...
- •2.3.4. Vocabulary
- •2.3.4.1. The Value of Simplicity and Clarity
- •2.3.4.2. The Power of Action Verbs
- •2.3.4.3. Power Words to Use
- •2.3.4.4. British and American English
- •Bonus tip: Solve your employer's (hidden) needs
- •2.4. Samples
- •Chapter 3
- •3. Meetings in English
- •3.1. Vocabulary
- •3.2. Preparing for a Meeting
- •3.2.1. Calling a Meeting
- •3.2.2. Writing an Agenda
- •3.2.3. Allocating roles
- •3.3. Opening a Meeting
- •3.3.1. Small Talk
- •3.3.2. Welcome
- •Introductions
- •3.3.3. Roll Call/Apologies
- •3.3.4. Objectives
- •3.4. Following the Agenda
- •3 .4.1. Taking the Minutes
- •3.4.2. Watching the Time
- •3.4.3. Regaining Focus
- •3.4.4. Voting
- •3.4.5. Comments and Feedback
- •3.5. Closing a Meeting
- •3.5.1. Wrapping Up
- •3.5.2. Reminders
- •3.5.3. Thank You' s and Congratulations
- •3.5.4. Follow Up
- •Chapter 4
- •4. Negotiations in English
- •4.1. The Art of Negotiating
- •4.2. Vocabulary
- •4.3. Preparing to Negotiate
- •4.4. Collaborative Negotiating
- •Collaborative Negotiating
- •Language to use to show understanding/agreement on a point:
- •Language to use for objection on a point or offer:
- •4.5. Coming to a Close or Settlement
- •4.5.1. Beware of last-minute strong-arm tactics.
- •4.5.2. Language to use in closing
- •4.5.3. Formalize the agreement/negotiation
- •Chapter 5
- •5. Presentations in English
- •5.1. Introduction
- •5.1.1. Preparation
- •5.1.8. Structure
- •5.1.9. Notes
- •5.1.10. Rehearsal
- •5.2. Equipment
- •5.3. Delivery
- •5.3.1.Nerves
- •5.3.2. Audience Rapport
- •5.3.3. Body Language
- •5.3.4. Cultural Considerations
- •5.3.5. Voice quality
- •5.3.6. Visual aids
- •5.3.7. Audience Reaction
- •5.4. Language
- •5.4.1. Simplicity and Clarity
- •5.4.2. Signposting
- •5.5. The Presentation
- •5.5.1. Introduction
- •5.5.2. Body
- •5.5.3. Conclusion
- •(Give recommendations if appropriate)
- •Thank your audience
- •Invite questions
- •5.5.4. Questions
- •5.6. Review
- •In this seminar, you have learned:
2.3.3.1. Do this...
Do be positive. |
Do look forward to the future. |
Do emphasize the benefit you will bring to an employer. |
Do use active verbs. |
Do keep to the point. Be relevant. |
Do create an organised layout. |
Do be neat. |
Do use good quality paper. |
Do use a word-processor (computer). |
Do use wide margins. |
Do use plenty of white space. |
Do use a good quality photo (if you use a photo). |
Do check your work for spelling errors. |
Do check your work for grammatical errors. |
Do ask a friend to look at your CV and letter. |
Do sign your letter with a fountain pen. |
2.3.3.2. Don't do this...
Don't look backward to the past. |
Don't write CV or Resume at the top. |
Don't write Mr, Mrs or Miss in front of your name. |
Don't give personal details (place of birth, age etc) unless necessary. |
Don't give full addresses of past employers. |
Don't give minor or unimportant school qualifications. |
Don't give lots of irrelevant or unimportant hobbies. |
Don't write names in capital letters. |
Don't use lots of different typefaces (fonts) and sizes. |
Don't use lots of capital letters, italics or fancy typefaces. |
Don't use coloured paper. |
Don't make your covering letter more than 1 page. |
Don't make your CV/resume more than 2 pages. |
2.3.4. Vocabulary
|
Active verbs act. |
2.3.4.1. The Value of Simplicity and Clarity
If you want people to read your CV, your language must be simple and clear:
Use short words and short sentences.
Do not use technical vocabulary, unless you are sure that the reader will understand it.
Talk about concrete facts ('I increased sales by 50%'), not abstract ideas ('I was responsible for a considerable improvement in our market position').
Use verbs in the active voice ('I organised this exhibition'), not passive voice ('This exhibition was organised by me'). Generally, the active voice is more powerful, and easier to understand.
2.3.4.2. The Power of Action Verbs
Certain words are used frequently by recruiters in their job descriptions. You can study recruiters' advertisements and job descriptions and try to use these words in your CV and covering letter.
The most powerful words are verbs. And the most powerful verbs are action verbs. (Action verbs describe dynamic activity, not state).
Verbs of action |
to sell, to manage |
Verbs of state |
to be, to exist |
So you should use plenty of action verbs matched to your skills, and use them in the active form, not the passive form. Which of these two sentences do you think is the more powerful?
Active form |
I increased sales by 100%. |
Passive form |
Sales were increased by 100%. |
2.3.4.3. Power Words to Use
Here is a list of typical action verbs categorised by skill:
Communication skills |
Management skills |
Research skills |
Technical skills |
address arbitrate correspond draft edit lecture mediate motivate negotiate persuade present publicise reconcile speak write
|
assign attain chair coordinate delegate direct execute organise oversee plan recommend review strengthen supervise train |
collect critique define detect diagnose evaluate examine explore extract identify inspect interpret investigate summarise survey
|
assemble build calculate devise engineer fabricate maintain operate overhaul program remodel repair solve upgrade |
Creative skills |
Financial skills |
Sales skills |
Teaching skills |
conceptualise create design fashion form illustrate institute integrate invent originate perform revitalise shape |
administer allocate analyse appraise audit balance budget calculate control compute develop forecast project |
sell convert close deal persuade highlight satisfy win over sign |
advise clarify coach elicit enable encourage explain facilitate guide inform instruct persuade stimulate train |