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BEP 110 – Job Interview English: Stress Questions

As we’ve discussed in other episodes on English job interviews, one goal of the person conducting the interview is to get you to “let your guard down.” Often, after a series of “warm-up questions,” the interviewer will give you a tough question. This will likely come “out of the blue,” that is, unexpectedly. We call these types of questions “stress questions” because part of the intention is to see how you react under pressure.

Common types of stress questions range from problems, such as how to solve a business case study or even a mathematics question, to “behavioral questions,” such as how to deal with imaginary work situation involving conflict or communication.

The key with this type of question is “Don’t panic!” which is the theme of this episode. We’ll be looking at strategies and language that will help you deal with this type of query coolly and calmly.

Listening Questions (Good Example):

1. What is the interviewer’s “stress question?”
2. What does Yala do to give herself some thinking time?
3. How does Yala answer the question?

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BEP 100 – Job Interview English: Discussing Salary

Business English, ESL Podcast, Human Resources, Job Interview English / June 21, 2008

You’ve had your first and second interview in English, you’ve performed well, and you’ve been selected. You’re one of the lucky few – you’ve succeeded: You’ve got a job offer in hand. But now comes one of the hardest parts of the whole process – negotiating your salary. If you make a mistake here, all of your time and effort might be wasted.

For salary negotiation, preparation – doing your research – is obviously important. In the internet age, there are many websites that focus on salary information, so investigating the market is much easier than it has been in the past.

Knowledge, however, is not enough. We also need to have the confidence to broach, or bring up, the subject and the tools to bargain up the initial or first offer in order to reach a compromise. You will only get what you deserve if you ask for it. So in today’s episode, we’ll focus the skills you need to successfully talk money.

Fun Beverages International has already emailed an offer to Yala Santos for an HR manager position in one of its Brazilian business units. Yala has written back asking to talk with the HR director, Ted, about the details. We’ll be listening to their conversation.

Listening Questions:

1. Why does Ted say he needs Yala to begin work by the suggested start date?
2. How does Yala broach the subject of compensation?
3. How much over the median or average market rate does Ted say Fun Beverages offered Yala in recognition of her skills and experience?
4. What is the final compromise they discuss?

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BEP 99 – Negotiating: Negotiation Strategy (Part 2)

Advanced, Business English, ESL Podcast, Negotiating / June 14, 2008

This is the second in a two-part advanced business English lesson on negotiation strategy. It is part of a longer series of podcasts on the language and skills of negotiating in English.

In the first episode, management consultant Bryan Fields discussed the basics of making a deal. We learned how to avoid some top common mistakes and we reviewed important vocabulary, such as BATNA, bottom line, bargaining chip, win-win, and zone of possible agreement.

Today’s podcast continues the interview with Bryan. In the dialog, we’ll learn five important elements of strategy – parties, interests, value, power and ethics. And along the way we’ll study useful vocabulary and idioms.

Listening Questions

1) What is the interviewer talking about when he refers to a “trap?”
2) How does Bryan say we should think about interests?
3) In the interview, we learn that overcoming blockage – that is, getting past problems – is not just about reaching the agreement but also about maximizing what?

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BEP 98 – Negotiating: Negotiation Strategy (Part 1)

Advanced, Business English, ESL Podcast, Negotiating / June 7, 2008

This is the beginning of a new Business English Podcast series on the skills and language of negotiating in English.

Over the coming months we’ll explore the topic in a series of podcasts that examine several typical business negotiations and the language used in each stage of the process.

Today’s show is the first in a two-part sequence on the fundamentals of negotiation strategy. We will be hearing an interview with experienced management consultant Brian Fields. Brian discusses key concepts and important strategic considerations. The dialog teaches us both useful vocabulary and helpful skills.

Listening Questions

1) What are the top mistakes people make in a negotiation?
2) What is a BATNA, or “best alternative to a negotiated agreement?”
3) What does Brian think about the idea of “win-win” negotiations

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Email Tune-up 02 – ESL Business Writing Video

Business English, Business Writing, English Video / May 31, 2008

This is the second less in our new video series: Email Tune-up. In today’s English video we examine a very common type of email – a request for feedback on a document.

Each video lesson features a review of a real-life email from one of our members. After reviewing the background and contents of the email, we’ll then see what improvements we can make by analyzing the writing according to 3 main criteria: mechanics, style and tone.

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