Fee Training Week Workbook
SPEAK FRAMEWORK
ProsperoUs English | English Communication | October 2023
ProsperoUs English – English Communication
Vocabulary
Day 1 Session
Term
Synonym
Meaning
Job Description
Job Specification (Job
Spec), Terms of Reference
(TOR), Job Profile
A document describing
responsibilities and requirements
for the job. Example Business
Analyst London - Reed.co.uk
C-suit
Executive–level managers
e.g. CEO, COO, CFO
Stakeholders
Influential individuals in the
company.
Managers and executives who
have an impact on the company’s
decisions somehow.
Seamless operations
Things run smoothly
Things work/operate smoothly.
Hone skills
Develop skills
Master skills improve skills to a
high level.
Leveraging my skills
Take advantage of your
skills to bring results.
To use something (skills) to the
greatest advantage.
Proficiency or being proficient in
something
Excel in something
You are proficient at something
when you master that skill or task
to a high level.
Fast-paced environment
Fast-moving, busy working
environment
A very dynamic and busy
workplace
Let’s get the ball rolling.
Let’s begin, Let’s kick it off.
To start something like a project or
a meeting
discrepancies
Inconsistency, disparity
Information is not consistent with
another piece of information
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ProsperoUs English – English Communication
List of skills
Organisational Skills
You manage your time and tasks effectively.
Ability to work under pressure
You can work in stressful situations and on short
deadlines.
Effective communicator!
You can communicate messages in a way that is
well-understood. and structured.
Attention to detail
You can pick up on small details.
Proactive
You take action without being asked to do so. In
other words, you take initiative.
Problem-solving skills
You have a logical approach to problems and
come up with practical solutions.
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ProsperoUs English – English Communication
Clear speech
(Structure,
strategy, stress,
pronunciation)
It’s not ‘what’
you say, it’s
HOW you say
it!
Concise (less is
more, keep it
simple)
Communication
Relevant
Information
(meets needs of
the audience)
Use of Voice
(tone,
intonation,
stress)
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ProsperoUs English – English Communication
“Tell me about yourself” Question at the Interview
PREPARE/RESEARCH



Study job specification/job description. What does this particular job
involve? What skills are needed? Are there any specific technical
requirements? Highlight with a pen all the skills and requirements you
identified.
On your CV, highlight your strengths, skills and technical abilities that match
the job requirements and the company values.
Pick two or three skills, and for each skill, list examples of tasks or your
achievements that show these skills off.
Don’t just say, “I am ambitious” or “I have good attention to detail” without
giving examples. (number one communication mistake)
For example, “I have good attention to detail, which I developed in my
current role where I am required to analyse data. I often spot discrepancies
and act upon it”

Think of achievements or projects you completed that relate to the job you
are applying for.

Explain your current situation and why you seek a new opportunity. How will
this role and company help you achieve your future goals?
TIP 1. Always tailor your answer to the role and (Job Spec) the company
(company values).
TIP 2. Be brief but informative, and keep your answer work-related.
TIP 3. Is there a requirement for leadership skills?
Talk about your experiences of leading (no matter how small!), how it went,
and what you learned. You can still show your leadership skills even if you
don’t manage people directly. For example, maybe you work with a junior
member of a team, and you helped in their professional development. Were
they relying on you at all?
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ProsperoUs English – English Communication
How to answer the “Tell us about you” question at the interview
– EXAMPLES.
This question can also be worded in other ways, such as: “Take us through
your CV”.
Beginner Level example answer.
I currently work at [Company’s name] as a [job title]. The reason I applied
for this job is I saw [enter what interested you the most] in the job
description, and I strongly believe I would be able to help [specify what you
will be able to help with] and [example 2].
One of my key accomplishments in my current role was helping my employer
with [specify the task/project], and I’m confident I can help your team get
similar results here.
Completed example for Data Analyst job.
I currently work at Chubb as a Data Analyst. The reason I applied for this job
is I saw that you needed someone to streamline your data collection
processes. I strongly believe I would be able to help you review where your
current processes fall short and implement more robust systems.
One of my key accomplishments in my current role was helping my employer
with a company-wide data project where I managed to automate how we
collect the Data from our Third Parties. I’m confident I can help your team
get similar results here.
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ProsperoUs English – English Communication
Here is another more advanced example where you back up what you say
with examples.
This is a very powerful way of showing off your experience in a structured
way.
I am Monika, and I have six years of experience working as an executive
assistant in Financial Services, providing comprehensive support to highlevel executives (C-suit executives).
In my last role, I developed strong organisational skills that helped ensure
seamless operations and effective communication across the company.
During my six years, I have consistently demonstrated my ability to handle
tasks under pressure and on short deadlines as I worked in a fast-paced
environment. For example, in one of my roles, I stepped in to support my
team with a project on a short deadline, ensuring all administrative tasks
and planning were done precisely and in a timely manner. I proved I thrive in
a dynamic environment and, despite pressure, can deliver the task to the
highest quality.
In the future, I would like to develop my skills further, and this job opening
seems like an excellent opportunity to utilise what I already know and
develop my skills on a bigger international scale.
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ProsperoUs English – English Communication
Present, Past and Future (PPF) Strategy.
[Present]
"I currently work in [Your Current Role] at [Your Current Company], where I
have honed my communication and organisational skills. I support [describe
your current responsibilities, e.g., executives, teams, or projects], which has
allowed me to develop attention to detail and a proactive approach to
problem-solving skills. I have also extensively used Microsoft Office tools to
streamline processes and improve efficiency."
[Past]
"Prior to my current position, I worked at [Previous Company] as a [Your
Previous Role], where I gained valuable experience in [mention relevant
tasks or responsibilities that demonstrate your skills]. This experience taught
me the importance of precision, adaptability, and the ability to handle highstress situations, which I believe are essential qualities for an executive
assistant in the financial services industry."
[Future]
"Looking ahead, I am excited about the opportunity to bring my skills and
experience to the role of an executive assistant. I plan to continue enhancing
my communication and organisational skills to ensure smooth day-to-day
operations. I am committed to proactively identifying opportunities for
improvement and leveraging my strong Microsoft Office skills to contribute
to the efficiency and success of the team I'll be supporting."
This example combines your present skills and experience with past
achievements and future goals, aligning them with the specific
requirements of the executive assistant job in financial services. It provides
a well-rounded answer that showcases your suitability for the position.
Remember to customise it further with specific examples from your career
during the interview.
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ProsperoUs English – English Communication
Challenge 1.
1. Find a job opening online in your profession/industry. You can utilise the
below link for jobs in English.
Jobs and Recruitment on reed.co.uk, the UK's #1 job site
2. Highlight the skills required for the job on the Job Specification.
3. Review your CV and highlight which jobs, tasks, and projects you can use
as examples of the required skills.
4. Use one of the templates to create your answer to the question.
5. Post it in our Facebook Group.
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