Job Interview
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EN: Use 'Please' followed by a base verb to make a polite request or command.
Please open the door.
EN: In Western business culture, it is common to use the person's first name even in formal settings like interviews to create a friendly atmosphere.
EN: Use 'Thank you very much' to show more politeness or gratitude than just saying 'Thank you'.
Thank you very much for your help.
EN: In Western business culture, it is common and polite to address someone by their first name after an initial introduction, especially in a friendly company culture.
EN: Use 'How are you doing?' as a common way to ask someone about their current state or feelings. It is slightly more casual than 'How are you?'.
How are you doing this morning?
EN: In English-speaking cultures, this question is often used as a greeting rather than a deep inquiry into one's life. A short, positive answer like 'I'm doing well, thanks' is standard.
EN: Use the 'be verb + doing' structure to describe your current state or feelings when answering 'How are you?'.
I am feeling happy today.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, 'How are you?' is often a polite greeting rather than a deep question. Responding with 'I am doing well' followed by a 'thank you' is the standard professional way to acknowledge the greeting.
EN: Use 'Can you...' to ask someone to do something or to ask for information in a polite but direct way.
Can you tell me your name?
EN: In job interviews, 'experience' usually refers to professional work history rather than general life experiences. It is a standard prompt for candidates to summarize their career.
EN: Use the Past Simple tense (verb + ed) to talk about a job or action that finished in the past.
I worked as a teacher for three years.
EN: In Western job interviews, it is common to use 'worked as' followed by a job title to clearly state your professional background.
EN: Use the past tense verb 'led' (from 'lead') to talk about work responsibilities you had in the past.
I led a project last year.
EN: In job interviews, using 'I led' or 'I managed' shows leadership skills, which is highly valued in Western corporate culture even for small teams.
EN: Use 'sound' + adjective to express your impression or opinion about something you just heard.
That sounds interesting.
EN: In Western job interviews, 'strengths' refers to specific skills or personality traits that make you a good fit for the job. It is common for interviewers to use positive reinforcement like 'That sounds great' to build rapport.
EN: Use 'be good at' followed by a verb ending in '-ing' to describe a skill or something you do well.
She is good at playing the piano.
EN: In job interviews, 'solving problems' and 'helping others' are highly valued soft skills that demonstrate initiative and teamwork.
EN: Use 'Why do you...' to ask for a reason or purpose behind someone's actions.
Why do you like this book?
EN: In job interviews, this question is used to gauge a candidate's interest in the specific company rather than just any job. It's an opportunity to show you have researched the company.
EN: Use 'like' followed by nouns to express positive feelings about specific things. When listing multiple things, use 'and' to connect them.
I like your office and the team.
EN: In job interviews, mentioning 'company culture' shows that you have researched the company and care about fitting into the work environment, which is highly valued by employers.
EN: Use 'want to' followed by a base verb to express a desire or goal.
I want to travel to Japan next year.
EN: In Western job interviews, emphasizing personal growth and a 'growth mindset' is highly valued as it shows you are motivated and adaptable.
EN: Use 'Let's' (Let us) followed by a base verb to suggest doing an activity together.
Let's go to the park.
EN: In many Western job interviews, the employer usually initiates the discussion about salary after evaluating the candidate's fit.
EN: Use 'What + [Noun]' to ask for specific information about a category (like salary range, color, or time).
What color do you like?
EN: In many English-speaking business cultures, discussing salary is standard during the later stages of an interview. Using the word 'range' (a minimum and maximum) is considered more flexible and professional than stating a single fixed number.
EN: Use 'between A and B' to talk about a range or choice involving two specific points or numbers.
The meeting is between 2:00 and 3:00.
EN: In many Western job interviews, salary is often discussed as an annual gross amount (before taxes). 'Eighty thousand' usually refers to the yearly pay.
EN: Use 'within' to show that something is inside a specific limit or range, such as money or time.
The price is within my budget.
EN: In job interviews, 'within our range' is a standard professional way to confirm that the candidate's salary expectations match the company's budget without committing to a final number yet.
EN: Use 'What is your...' to ask for specific information about someone, such as their name, job, or schedule.
What is your phone number?
EN: In job interviews, 'availability' refers to when you can start working or which shifts you can take. It is a professional way to ask about your schedule.
EN: Use 'in + [time period]' to talk about when something will happen in the future, counting from now.
I will finish the report in three days.
EN: In many Western countries, 'two weeks' notice' is the standard professional courtesy when leaving a job, which is why Ryan mentions this specific timeframe.
EN: Use 'work' to mean that a plan, time, or situation is suitable or convenient.
Does Friday work for you?
EN: In professional settings, saying 'That works for us' is a polite and direct way to agree to a timeline or condition without being overly formal.
EN: Use 'Will there be...?' to ask about the existence of something in the future.
Will there be a meeting tomorrow?
EN: In many Western job markets, asking about the next steps (like a second interview) shows your interest and helps you manage your expectations.
EN: Use 'will' to talk about future actions or promises made at the moment of speaking.
I will call you tomorrow.
EN: In professional settings, 'follow-up' refers to any action taken after a meeting or interview to maintain contact or provide more information. It is considered polite and shows high interest.
EN: Use 'Thank you for + noun' to show gratitude for a specific thing or action.
Thank you for your help.
EN: In professional settings like interviews, it is standard etiquette to thank the interviewer for their time. Adding the person's name makes the interaction feel more personal and respectful.
EN: Use 'It was nice to meet you' at the end of a first meeting to say goodbye politely.
It was nice to meet you, Sarah. Have a good day!
EN: In professional settings, using 'It was nice to meet you' (past tense) is standard at the end of a meeting, whereas 'It is nice to meet you' (present tense) is used at the beginning.
EN: Use 'too' at the end of a sentence to mean 'also' or 'as well'. It is commonly used in polite responses.
I am a student too.
EN: In professional settings, repeating the sentiment with 'too' is a standard way to show mutual respect at the end of an interview or meeting.
EN: Use 'will be' to talk about a future state or action that is planned or promised.
I will be at home tonight.
EN: In professional settings, 'We will be in touch' is a polite way to end a meeting or interview, indicating that the speaker will contact the other person later with an update.
EN: 'You too' is a common short response used to return a wish or greeting back to the other person without repeating the whole sentence.
Have a nice weekend! You too!
EN: In English-speaking cultures, it is considered polite to return a well-wish (like 'Have a great day') with 'You too' before saying goodbye.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
To sit down; a polite way to invite someone to sit.
To communicate with someone or maintain contact.
To be able to do something well.
The span between the minimum and maximum base salary that an employer is willing to pay for a specific job.
The specific date or time when a candidate is free to start a new job or attend a meeting.
A communication or action intended to continue or further a previous contact or activity.