Practice
English and careers: communicate with confidence
You do not need long or difficult sentences to sound clear at work. One useful sentence can say what you can do, what you need, or what you will do next.
Use simple, polite English to describe experience, ask useful questions, and communicate clearly about work and job applications.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
Could you explain the next step, please? /kʊd juː ɪkˈspleɪn ðə nekst step pliːz/
The short answer
For career English, use honest, simple sentences. Name the work you have done, ask polite questions when you need help, and make times or next steps clear. Practise a few useful phrases until they feel natural.
I have experience helping customers in a busy shop.
Why it works: The sentence says what kind of work the speaker has done.
5 more examples
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Could you explain the next step, please?
Could you makes the question polite and direct.
Not this:
Explainthe next step. What changes: This can sound like an order when you need help from a colleague. -
I am available on Tuesday afternoon.
The day and time give the reader information they can use.
Not this:I am free
sometime next week. What changes: The time is unclear, so the other person cannot easily make a plan. -
I would like to apply for the office assistant role.
The sentence states the purpose of the message and names the role.
Not this:I
want a jobin your office. What changes: This does not identify the role or show that you are replying to a particular opportunity. -
I have attached my CV for your review.
This tells the reader which document is included with the message.
Not this:My
documentis there. What changes: The reader does not know which document you mean or where to find it. -
Thank you for your time today.
A short thank-you message can close a conversation politely.
Not this:I
need an answer now. What changes: This can put pressure on the reader and does not suit many professional conversations.
Read the full guide
Think about the situation before you choose your words. A job application needs the role and a short fact about your experience. A work conversation may need a polite question or a clear update. You can prepare these sentence patterns in advance, then change the details for your own situation.
Describe work you have done
When you talk about experience, give one real task. You can use work, study, volunteering, or family responsibilities if they show a useful skill. Begin with I have experience and add the task after it.
I have experience preparing simple reports for a small team.
The sentence names a task. It gives more information than saying only that the speaker is organized.
What task can you name from your work, study, or volunteering?
Try: I have experience answering emails from customers.
Ask when you need help
It is better to ask a short question than to guess. Could you and Can you are useful openings. Say which part you need help with, so the other person knows how to answer.
Could you show me where I should save this file?
The question explains the problem and asks for one clear action.
Can you say that last part again, please?
Again tells the speaker that you need to hear the same information one more time.
Give clear times and availability
A clear day or time makes arrangements easier. Use I am available for a work pattern, and I am available on for a day or time. If you are not available, say when you can reply or attend instead.
I am available for Saturday morning shifts.
Saturday morning gives a clear work pattern. It is easier to use than saying that you are usually free.
Which answer is clearer: I am free later or I am available after 3 p.m.?
I am available after 3 p.m. is clearer because it gives a time.
Write a short application message
A short message can be enough when an employer asks you to send an application by email. Start with the reason for writing, name the role, and add one accurate fact about your experience or availability. Then say which document you have included if one is requested.
Dear Hiring Manager, I would like to apply for the reception role. I have experience speaking to visitors and answering phone calls. I have attached my CV. Kind regards, Ana.
This message gives the role, one relevant fact, and the document. It does not need a long life story.
What should you name near the beginning of an application message?
Name the role you are applying for.
Answer simple interview questions
An interview question may ask about your experience, availability, or interest in a role. Take a moment before you answer. Give one short example instead of trying to say everything at once. If you do not understand the question, ask for it to be repeated.
I enjoy helping people. In my last role, I answered questions at the front desk.
The second sentence supports the first sentence with a real example.
I am sorry, could you repeat the question, please?
This is a polite way to ask for the question again.
Close messages and conversations politely
End a work message with a practical next step or a polite thank-you. This shows the reader what you need or lets the conversation finish clearly. Keep the ending short and match the formality of the message you received.
Please contact me if you need more information.
The message offers a useful next step without demanding an immediate reply.
Thank you for meeting with me today.
This can close an interview or a work conversation in a polite way.
Before you go
Remember this
Keep career English simple and honest. Describe one real skill or task, ask a polite question when you need information, and give a specific time when it matters. Clear sentences help other people understand what you can do and what you need next.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "English and careers: communicate with confidence"
How can I talk about my work experience in simple English?
Begin with a truthful phrase such as I have experience, then name one task you have done. You can use experience from work, study, volunteering, or responsibilities that show a real skill. A short specific example is easier for a listener to understand.
I have experience helping customers in a busy shop.
What can I say when I do not understand at work?
Ask a short, polite question instead of guessing. You can ask another person to repeat, explain, or show the part that is unclear. Say what you need help with, so the person knows how to help you.
I have experience.
How do I give my availability in English?
Use a specific day, time, or work pattern. Say when you can attend, work, or reply, rather than saying that you are free sometime. Clear times make it easier for another person to arrange an interview, meeting, or shift.
Could you explain the next step, please?
What should a short job application message say?
State why you are writing, name the role, and add one accurate fact about your experience or availability. If the employer asks for a document, say which document you have included. Finish with a polite closing and follow the stated instructions.
Explain the next step.
How can I end a work message politely?
Use a short thank-you or offer one practical next step. A polite ending can thank the reader for their time or explain that you can provide more information if needed. Keep it brief and use the same level of formality as the message.
I am available on Tuesday afternoon.