ESL Podcast 408 - Calling Someone You Haven't Met About a Job

may I speak to - a phrase used when talking on the phone to ask to speak with a specific person

Hi, this is Rhawid. May I please speak with Jefferson?

speaking - a word used to show that one is the person whom a caller has asked to speak with

Speaking. What can I do for you, Rhawid?

contact person - a person who should be called or written to if one wants more information

Who is the contact person if I think of questions later about the conference?

Am I calling at a bad time? - a polite phrase used on the telephone to show that one realizes that the other person may not have time to speak at that moment, giving him or her an opportunity to say that it would be better to call back at another time

• Am I calling at a bad time?

• Actually, yes, because I'm late for a meeting. Could you please call me again in two hours?

administrative assistant - secretary; a person who does administrative work in an office to help other employees by answering phones and emails, writing letters, making photocopies, and more

As an administrative assistant for a large office, Ahmed spends most of his day typing emails and letters for his supervisor.

to field calls - to answer phone calls for another person, deciding which calls are important enough for him or her to listen to and taking care of the less important calls

How many people do you think field calls for the president of the United States?

to hire - to identify, evaluate, and select a person to work in a new job

Did you hear that Vision Corporation is hiring a new office manager?

job description - a short written document that has information about a job that is open, including what the new employee will need to do and what qualifications he or she should have

The job description for the translator position says that the company is looking for someone who speaks at least three languages and can travel often.

a good fit - a match; a job or opportunity that meets one's needs and for which one is well qualified, being able to do everything that is necessary

Fiona is a good fit for the translator position because she speaks English, Russian, and German and loves to travel.

qualification - able to do something that is needed for a job or another opportunity; meeting the requirements of a job or another opportunity

To meet the qualifications for that graduate school, you must have a test score of at least 600.

to spell out - to provide detailed information; to include all the details

The sales agent told us that a good advertisement should spell out all the details of the house that is for sale, including how old it is and how many bedrooms and bathrooms it has.

cover letter - a one page letter sent when one applies for a job, explaining why one wants the job

In his cover letter, he wrote that he had excellent computer skills and was good at working on teams.

staff - employees; a group of employees who work together, often reporting to the same supervisor

She manages a staff of seven teachers and two secretaries.

to emphasize - to say or write something in a way that makes it seem more important; to say or write something strongly

The tour leader emphasized the importance of having the group stay together while walking through the city.

resume - curriculum vitae; a one- or two-page document that lists one's education, work experience, skills, leadership experience, honors, and other qualifications for a job

The company received 34 resumes, but chose only four people for interviews.

initiative - willingness and ability to do something without being asked to do it

Thanks for taking the initiative to clean the garage before I asked you to do it.

vote of confidence - support; a belief that one can do something; a belief that one will be able to do something well

Kaisha is a great worker and she has my vote of confidence to lead the new project.