BEC Wizard

Have you ever thought, "I work hard, I do a great job, so why don't I get paid more?" You're not alone! Asking for a pay raise might feel scary, but it doesn't have to be. In fact, talking about money with your boss is much more common than you might think. Why I Deserve a Raise In this guide, we'll walk through exactly how to make a strong case for why you deserve a raise, prepare for the conversation, and handle whatever answer you get — even if it's not the one you wanted. Why Asking for a Raise Matters When you feel properly paid for your work, everyone wins. You feel valued and appreciated, and your employer gets to keep a happy employee who wants to stick around. It's worth having the conversation! "Successfully navigating a talk about your salary is a big win for everybody. You feel valued and your employer gets the benefit of a happy and productive employee." The 6-Step Process to Ask for...

Job hunting can feel like shouting into the void. You spend hours tailoring your resume, writing cover letters, and hitting “submit” on applications, only to hear… nothing. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Millions of job seekers are stuck in the same frustrating cycle. But there’s some good news: major job platforms are finally stepping up to make the process less painful with new job search tools. New Job Search Tools The Problem: Ghosting and Overwhelmed Employers Let’s face it—applying for jobs today can feel like a losing battle. According to recent data, over 14 million applications were completely ignored in just one quarter last year. Even worse, half of job seekers report being ghosted after an interview. It’s no wonder frustration is at an all-time high. Part of the issue lies in the sheer volume of applications companies receive. With the rise of AI tools that help candidates mass-produce tailored resumes, employers are drowning in submissions. This m...

Learn essential Business English words to help you at work or in your studies. Try using this English for Business PDF to improve your English speaking skills for business. English for Business PDF: Cambridge Word List The Cambridge Business Vocabulary wordlist is a guide which can help you ensure your business English vocabulary contains all the words you might come across at work or in a business setting. The English for Business wordlist , developed by Cambridge ESOL, is used by the people who write or create Business English exam questions and material. It also contains high-frequency Business English related vocabulary. This essential Business English wordlist also includes: Receptive vocabulary - words you should understand even though a questions is not focused on them Productive vocabulary – words you need to know in order to be able to answer a question The list is updated each year to include the most commonly used words based in many business related...

Choose the best business vocabulary word to complete each sentence. B2 Business Vocabulary Quiz - Talking about your company My firm uses the services of a specialist agency to (1) __________ all new (2) __________ . I work in a management consultancy firm so most of the new workers that start here are graduates with a university degree even though they may have little or no relevant work experience in this specific (3) __________ . It's quite usual for people who end up working here to have had other kinds of jobs during their (4) __________ before they apply to become management consultants. The firm (5) __________ around 1,000 people in total in various regional offices. During the first eighteen months new workers are normally put on a temporary (6) __________ , and then if everything goes well, they are made permanent. Personally, I believe my firm is a good (7) __________ because new employees receive a comprehensive induction (8) __________ when they fir...

Here are a few Business Writing sample questions and answers so that you can get a better idea of what to expect on test day. Effective business writing takes practice, you need to develop your own writing to be clear and concise - but it's a skill worth learning. Business Writing Sample Business Writing Sample 1 Business Writing Sample 2 Business Writing Sample 3 Business Writing Sample Questions With Answers Sample questions for business email writing Example 1 You have to cancel a meeting with James Lewis, a senior manager in your company, at very short notice. Write an email to Mr lewis: Apologising for the cancellation Explaining why this is necessary Suggesting a date when you are free Write 30-40 words on your Answer Sheet. Business Email Writing Sample Answer To: James Lewis Subject: Meeting Hello Mr Lewis I’m afraid I won’t be able to attend this afternoon’s meeting. I’m covering for my boss Colin Fr...

1. Quantify Your Impact: Turning Achievements into Evidence Identify Your Key Performance Metrics Consider Maria, a marketing coordinator at a mid-sized tech company. Her first step is to gather concrete data: Increased Social Media Engagement : Grew Instagram followers from 5,000 to 15,000 (+200%) Campaign Performance : Reduced customer acquisition cost by 35% Content Marketing : Generated 250 qualified leads through targeted content strategy Create a Numerical Impact Worksheet Total campaign revenue influenced: $450,000 Cost savings implemented: $75,000 New processes streamlined: 3 major workflow improvements Pro Tip : Use a spreadsheet to track achievements monthly, making year-end compilation easier. 2. Align with Company Objectives: Speaking the Language of Business Value Decode Organizational Priorities Maria researches her company's current strategic goals: Expand market share in mid-market tech sector ...

Best Strategic Questions to Ask in an Interview? Strategic questions to ask in an interview are important for both candidates and hiring managers to get to know each other’s expectations and capabilities. For recruiters these questions help to evaluate candidates by testing their problem solving skills, leadership skills and company culture fit. Asking the right questions will make the whole hiring process more informed. For candidates, asking the right questions in an interview shows critical thinking and leadership potential, so you’ll get hired. Let’s get to exploring strategic questions to ask in an interview. What are strategic interview questions? Strategic questions are designed to test a candidate’s problem solving skills, leadership skills and company culture fit, to assess various skills and competencies to see if a candidate can innovate, collaborate, lead and manage change. These questions help hiring managers make informed decisions by getting to ...

Business Writing Sample | How to write a business memo Business Writing Sample Business English Writing Task Business Writing Example Task You are unhappy about your company's current website. You have decided to write a memo to your Managing Director about your ideas for setting up a new website. Write a memo to the Managing Director. Write about: the problems with the current website the kind of information a new website should contain who should be involved in setting it up and any other points you think are important. Write about 180-200 words. Business Writing Sample Answer - Writing: To : Bob Johnson (Managing Director) From : Jenny Johannsen (Marketing Manager) Subject : Company Website Dear Bob, I have received several comments recently from clients regarding our company’s official website. Unfortunately, the majority of them were less than positive about their navigation experience on the site. Over the last few ...

If you want to avoid making a BAD first impression - don't make these common resume mistakes ! 10 Common Resume Mistakes and How to Avoid Them Mistake How to Avoid 1. Unprofessional Layout Use a professionally designed resume template from sites like Canva or Venngage. 2. Grammar and Spelling Errors Proofread your resume or use tools like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor. 3. Vague Professional Summary Keep it short (2-3 sentences) and focus on your key skills and value. 4. Not Customizing to Job Posting Research the job and use the same language and skills from the job description. 5. Too Much Focus on Job Duties Highlight accomplishments and results, not just responsibilities. 6. Not Showing Relevant Skills List only skills that match the job and include examples of how you used them. 7. Missing Contact Info Include your full name, phone nu...

Welcome to the hybrid work trends of the modern office, where “quiet quitting” is the new power nap, “career cushioning” is the adult version of having a backup imaginary friend, and “act your wage” is the corporate version of “you get what you pay for.” The Hybrid Work Trend Circus Is In Town! It’s like employees all decided to play a big game of workplace Jenga, seeing how much they can pull back before the whole thing falls over. In this brave new world, employees are tiptoeing the line between doing their job and doing just enough to get paid while simultaneously preparing for the worst like doomsday preppers with LinkedIn profiles. But employers are confused! Who knew working from home would turn employees into part-time comedians and full-time strategists? Thanks COVID! Hybrid Work Trends: The Office Circus Well, folks, COVID-19 didn’t just bring us sourdough starters and TikTok dances - it turned our work lives upside down! Now companies are running...

Add Some OOMPH to Your Resume Accomplishments Your resume isn’t just a list of job history - it’s your personal sales pitch. And trust me, nobody likes a boring salesperson. Make it pop with resume accomplishments ! Focus on Results, Not Responsibilities Think of it this way: Your resume is a billboard. Do you want to say, “I drove a truck,” or “Delivered 1000 packages on time, saving the company $5000”? The second one is a winner. Quantify Everything Numbers talk, and bullshit walks. Instead of saying, “ Increased sales, ” say, “ Increased sales by 30% in one quarter. ” Boom! That’s how you get noticed. Use Power Verbs Words are your weapons. Get rid of the boring verbs like “managed” and “responsible.” Use verbs like “achieved,” “generated” and “revolutionized.” Your resume will be an action movie. Tailor Your Accomplishments Every job is different. Don’t just copy-paste accomplishments. Customize them for each job you apply for. Show you’re not just sen...

Functional Language for Business In this Business English learning online post, we look at some useful phrases frequently used in communication in a business environment. There are example sentences provided below showing how to use each one. Asking for Permission Could I... May I... Can I... I would like to... Please let me know if ... is suitable (convenient). Rearranging an Appointment Unfortunately I cannot attend... on the [date] Could we meet at the [place] on the [day] to discuss... ... would suit me better. Informing I wish to inform you that... It is necessary for us to... Please feel free to contact ... if you require more details. Explaining/Giving Instructions You should... Please contact... It is necessary to... When you have completed the project, please email/deliver the details to... Example Sentences Asking for Permission Could I pop into your offi...

As a job seeker, you may be asked the popular question about the qualities of a good leader during an interview. It goes something like this: What qualities do you think make a good leader? This type of question is often used to assess your values and how they align with those of the organization. It can also help recruiters gain insight into your leadership style, which could be important depending on the position you are applying for. How to answer interview questions about the "qualities of a good leader". Being able to answer this type of question confidently and effectively is essential for success in any interview. Let’s break down what recruiters look for when it comes to the qualities of a good leader and provide some examples that can help give your answer some depth. The Qualities of a Good Leader: What You Need to Know to Answer this Interview Question Effectively What Recruiters Look For In Your Answer Recruiters want to hear about...

Business English Learning Online | Learn the 5 essential steps to write a Business Proposal How To Write A Business Proposal Here is an example of how to write a business proposal . Proposal for launching our products in Eastern Europe Introduction The purpose of this proposal is to suggest that we begin to market our product range in Eastern Europe and to present a possible plan of action in order to achieve this. Current situation At present, our main markets are Western Europe, North America and Japan. As many countries in Eastern Europe have recently joined the EU, there is a now a new emerging market close to our production facilities that is gradually becoming more prosperous and that we could take advantage of. Market research Initial market research should be carried out with the aim of discovering: Who likely competitors are in the market Prices customers would be prepared to pay Which retail shops would be suitable and willing to stock our prod...