Describing your job
Here are some essential phrases to help you talk about your work…
Conversation about work
Carol: OK, Joe, let’s start your annual appraisal with you summarizing what your job involves. You can refer to your job description if you like.
Joe: Well, I provide customer support for our existing clients, and I also build up contacts to attract new business.
Carol: And how do you prioritize your workload on a daily basis?
Joe: I work to the brief provided by each client and they all have their own deadlines, so those dictate my "to do" list on a week-by-week basis. I schedule in time for admin, such as invoicing and filing, and I keep abreast of the industry by reading trade publications and going to trade conferences.
Carol: And how about the long-term - what are your targets for the year ahead?
Joe: I aim to bring in 20 new clients. There are some PR training courses that could help me achieve this goal. And there’s a lot the company can do to improve its customer care. Having a vision for the company is one of my strengths.
Carol: I see. And how about weaknesses?
Joe: I like working under pressure and using my own initiative, but that makes me less of a team player. So I’m trying to improve my working relationships.
Carol: That’s great. I wouldn’t be surprised if next year it’s you who’s appraising me!
Conversation
Vocabulary and phrases
annual appraisal = évaluation annuelle
provide customer support = fournir un service clientèle
build up contacts = développer des contacts
prioritize = établir une liste de priorités
workload = charge de travail
on a daily basis = au jour le jour
brief = instructions
deadline = délai
"to do" list = liste "à faire"
on a week-by-week basis = toutes les semaines
admin = administration
invoicing = facturation
filing = classement
keep abreast of... = se tenir au courant de...
trade publication = journal professionnel
trade conference = congrès professionnel
what are your targets for the year ahead? = quels sont vos objectifs pour l’année à venir?
PR (public relations) = relations publiques
training course = stage de formation
achieve this goal = atteindre cet objectif
strengths = points forts
weaknesses = faiblesses
I like working under pressure = je travaille bien quand je suis sous pression
use my own initiative = faire preuve d’initiative
team player = personne ayant l’esprit d’équipe
working relationship = rapport de travail
More useful vocabulary and phrases
a good career move = une bonne décision sur le plan professionnel
career prospects = possibilités d’avancement
job-sharing = partage de poste
job satisfaction = épanouissement professionnel
meeting = réunion
(in the) mid-term/short-term = (au) moyen/court terme
my job is very administrative = mon poste est en grande partie administratif
my workload is too heavy = j’ai trop de travail
our office has a good working environment = notre bureau a de bonnes conditions de travail
paperwork = tâches administratives
the pressures of meeting deadlines = la contrainte des délais à respecter
to work to a deadline = avoir un délai à respecter
Here are some more phrases you might need when discussing your job
I’d like to be put forward for promotion
I haven’t had a pay rise for two years
I spend too much time in meetings
A lot of what I do is very routine
I hate doing paperwork
I have a good working relationship with my boss/my co-workers
I’m very ambitious/conscientious
I’m a model employee when it comes to time-keeping
I never miss a deadline
My job title is…