When you write a CV/resume or have a job interview, it is very important that you sound professional. One of the ways that you can do this, is the type of words and phrases you use.
By using some specific words or phrases (for example, using 'exceed' instead of 'do better than expected'), you will sound more professional and intelligent and improve your chances of getting a job.
In this first of three online exercises on vocabulary in CVs, resumes and job interviews, you'll learn and remember professional English words/phrases that you can use to improve your CV, resume and job interview performances.
Click here to see more of our free online exercises on CVs/resumes and job interviews
Below are a number of verbs and phrases that are commonly used in business English to make sentences sound more professional.
From the context, try to guess what the meaning of the words/phrases in bold are. Then do the quiz at the end to check if you are right.
1. Although I wasn't directly involved. In order to make sure that nothing went wrong, I oversaw the changes in the process.
2. For 3 years I ran the French sales team. I enjoyed the responsibility of being in charge of the team.
3. Although I wasn't the Project Manager, I was very important and I played a key role in the project's success.
4. Because of the size of the project, the English and Spanish offices had to collaborate in order to finish on schedule.
5. For about 5 years both myself and Jeff Green co-managed the development department. But it was frustrating having two people make the final decisions.
6. When you're designing or creating something new, I believe it's fundamental to have different opinions. So, it was good on this project that both myself and Sally Jenkins co-developed it. She had different skills and a different work background to myself.
7. It's important to coordinate everything in a supermarket. You need to make sure that the staff knowing what they are doing and that there is always bread and milk etc... available.
8. I came up with the idea of selling mobile phones on the internet when I was in the bath. I always have my best ideas there.
9. Because it was a very complex business process, it took a long time to set up. If I remember, nearly 3 years from start to finish.
10. The easiest part was the last part of the project. We implemented the business process in less than 6 weeks.
Below is a definition/description of each of the words/phrases in bold from the above text (which you can also find in the grey box below). Answer each question with one of these words/phrases in bold. Only use one word/phrase once and write it as it is in the text. Click on the "Check" button at the bottom of the quiz to check your answers.
When the answer is correct, two icons will appear next to the answer. The icon contains extra information on the word/phrase. In the
icon, you can listen to the pronunciation of the word/phrase.
Now that you understand the meaning of the words/phrases and when to use them, practise using them by creating your own sentences with them in English. Also click on the icon next to each correct answer and listen how each is pronounced correctly.
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