How can I talk about my job in English? EXPERIENCES & ACHIEVEMENTS

How can I talk about my job in English? Find out here! With this 4-part series, you’ll get essential vocabulary and tips to succeed in conversations in English where you discuss your profession. Today you’ll learn how to describe your previous experiences and achievements, using effective English to make a strong impression. Let’s communicate your professional value when you talk about your job in English!

YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE

Here’s 4 ways to talk about your previous work experience in English.

I have worked in [industry/field] for [number of years].

E.g. I have worked in marketing for six years.

English tip: Notice the tense here is “I have worked”. That means that you still continue working in that field today. However, if you don’t work in that field anymore, just switch to simple past: “I worked”.

An expression to introduce a previous job position is this:

I have experience in [specific job position] with [previous company]

E.g. I have experience in project management with Sunrise Studio.

Maybe you want to focus on a specific skill or area of expertise that you developed while working at a previous company. In that case, say:

I gained valuable experience in [skill or area] during my time at [previous company].

E.g. I gained valuable experience in digital advertising during my time at Sunrise Studio.

And if you want to go deeper with your key responsibilities in your previous job, say this:

I was [previous job position] at [previous company] where I [describe key responsibilities]. E.g. I was Senior Marketing Coordinator at Sunrise Studio, where I oversaw campaigns, conducted market research, and analysed performance.

When focusing on the value of your professional experience, these phrases are effective ways to talk about your job in English.

“I successfully reduced customer waiting times by 40%.. “

YOUR PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS

When you talk about your job in English, it’s important to mention the successes of your career, like a promotion, awards, big presentations. It could even be positive feedback, good idea you had, a system that you improved. Everyone has something that they can mention!

Here are some phrases to describe a professional achievement in English.

I played a key role in [your achievement]

E.g. I played a key role in the rebranding initiative.

Another option is to say:

I successfully [accomplished a specific task/project].

E.g. I successfully reduced customer waiting times by 40%.

Or another option:

I contributed to [a successful outcome].

e.g. I contributed to a 25% increase in sales revenue.

Communication tip: Try to include numbers and statistics to back up the story of your achievement.

It’s also important to follow up these sentences with an explanation of HOW you got this achievement. To do that, say:

I was able to do this by [your skills and strategies].

e.g. I was able to do this by conducting market research and identifying key trends.

English tip: Pay attention to the English construction here. After “by”, the following action is with “ing”. E.g. “by conducting”.