Business English - Language Techniques for Successful Interviews
There are no hard and fast rules to defining the differences between colloquial and business English. The English language is a rich and varied vocabulary that can be employed to great effect in a huge variety of situations, and employing the same sentence in two different contexts can have two completely different effects. What is certain is that if you wish to make a success of yourself in the great global commercial centre of London, you will at some point have to attend interviews, and for these, a good command of business English will be essential.
The first question you will be asked on arriving to an interview will generally be one designed to establish a rapport between yourself and your interviewer, such as "how are you?", or "did you have any trouble getting here?". It is important to reply politely and positively to this type of question, as it can help set the tone for the rest of the interview. A response like "I’m very well, thank you. And you?" can do much to give the interviewer an immediate, positive mental image of you.
The most important topic during interview is your previous experience. The interviewer will be looking to see that you have encountered similar challenges in your working life to those you might face in your new job, and that you have shown you know how to react to those challenges. It is a good idea to explain what you see as the advantages of the position you are interviewing for, compared to your previous jobs – without being too negative, as this can portray you as a difficult person to work with.
Towards the end of an interview, you will generally be asked if you have any questions of your own. It can be extremely beneficial for you to have thought about this beforehand, as an insightful question at this point can demonstrate your interest in the company, as well as showing that you are somebody who has already thought properly about what their role might entail.
If you are looking for an international school central London boarding schools are some of the best in the world. Attending places such as these can give you an insight into the formalities of interacting in business English. For example, it is important to conclude an interview with a handshake, thanking the interviewer for his time.
You cannot possibly hope to learn all of the intricacies of applying the English language from a 500 word article such as this one, but the tips outlined above are a good starting point to getting to grips with the many means of employing the English tongue. If you want to develop a confident command of English in all of its forms, there are many fine IB schools in London that offer lessons in the proper use of business English as a supplement to your professional studies.
