How can I talk about my job in English? SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS AND STRENGTHS
How can I talk about my job in English? This is the name of my 4-part series where I provide top tips for people who work in English. Today’s topic is an important one: describing your skills, qualifications and strengths. Sharing your professional value is key when speaking with job interviewers, clients, managers, colleagues – or even people you’ve just met! This type of conversation can influence the direction of your career path, so your English needs to be in top shape. Here’s the vocabulary you need to succeed.
1. How can I talk about my job in English? SKILLS
Here are two expressions to describe your skills in English.
For a direct, confident way to indicate your professional competence, say:
- I’m skilled in [field/area]. Example: I’m skilled in data analysis.
English tip: For extra emphasis, you can add in words like “extremely” or “highly”. Example: I’m extremely skilled in customer relations.
Another option when you talk about your job in English is to use the word “specialization”, indicating a more concentrated level of expertise.
- My specialization is in [field/area]. Example: My specialization is in digital marketing.
English tip: You can also say I am specialized in [field/area]. This has the same meaning, just a different sentence construction.
English tip: Pay attention to that preposition “in”! The pattern to follow is specialization in, specialized in. Normally, you say skilled in, although you might sometimes hear skilled at. Even people who speak English as their primary language struggle with this!
“Our favourite preposition, “in” is here again! A degree in, certified in, training in. “
2. How can I talk about my job in English? QUALIFICATIONS
When you talk about your job in English, you will no doubt mention your qualifications. Depending on your background, you’ll express this in different ways.
To talk about your university studies, say:
- I have a degree in [subject]. Example: I have a degree in Computer Science.
For qualifications that aren’t from university, you might say:
- I am certified in [subject]. Example: I am certified in Advanced Excel
Or
- I have completed training in [specific skill or field]. Example: I have completed training in web development and coding languages.
English tip: When speaking, it is common to contract “I have” and “I am”, so practise saying “I’ve completed training” and “I’m certified” to sound more fluent.
English tip: Our favourite preposition, “in” is here again! A degree in, certified in, training in.
3. How can I talk about my job in English? STRENGTHS
Here are some great expressions to demonstrate your professional strengths and make a lasting impression when you talk about your job in English.
To emphasize your proficiency, you can say.
- I’m adept at [your strength]. Example: I’m adept at problem-solving complex technical issues.
And to make a quick reference to your past achievements and successes, you can say:
- I have a track record of [your strength]. Example: I have a track record of delivering exceptional client satisfaction
English tip: When explaining your strength, this will be in the form of a noun (e.g. graphic design; event coordination; data analysis) or an activity with -ing (e.g. multitasking, public speaking, leading teams).
YOU HAVE THE TOOLS
If you can promote your professional value confidently and effectively in English, then you will be ready to succeed in vital career moments such as job interviews in English, performance reviews with your manager, and almost any type of networking conversation in English. I truly encourage you to keep preparing for this area of English – for more tips, check out the other parts of my series: How can I talk about my job in English?
Susie Shields
I train people to use English in a professional context. In my one-to-one sessions, online course and social media platforms, you’ll master tools to flourish in your English-speaking workplace. From job interviews to work meetings to presentations and more, you’ll prepare for professional challenges and speak with success.
