Guides to Professional English

This book is intended for anyone whose job involves writing formal documentation. It is aimed at non-native speakers of English but should also be of use for native speakers who have no training in technical writing. Technical writing is a skill that you can learn and this book outlines some simple ideas for writing clear documentation that will reflect well on your company, its image and its brand. The book has four parts: Structure and Content: Through examples, you will learn best practices in writing the various sections of a manual and what content to include. Clear Unambiguous English: You will learn how to write short clear sentences and paragraphs whose meaning will be immediately clear to the reader. Layout and Order Information: Here you will find guidelines on style issues, e.g., headings, bullets, punctuation and capitalization. Typical Grammar and Vocabulary Mistakes: This section is divided alphabetically and covers grammatical and vocabulary issues that are typical of user manuals.

Are you a graduate, postgraduate or PhD student? Are you simply looking for a new job in the private or public sector, in research or industry? If your aim is to produce a professional CV or resume, then this book is for you. Based on interviews with recruiters and HR managers, and an analysis of hundreds of CVs from around 40 different countries, the book is structured as a series of FAQs. Topics covered include: • how recruiters and HR people analyse a CV • whether using a template is a good idea • the difference between a CV and a resume • how to present your personal details and whether to include a photo • how to write an Executive Summary • what to write in each section (Education, Work Experience, Skills, Personal Interests) • how to write dates • how to highlight your language, communication and team skills • how to get and write references You will also learn some hints and strategies for writing a: • cover letter • LinkedIn profile • reference letter • bio The last chapter of the book contains a simple template to help you get the job of your dreams!

If you are a non-native English speaker and make telephone calls as part of your work, then this book is for you. By applying the suggested guidelines, you will stand a much greater chance of making an effective telephone call. You will learn how to: • prepare for a call both psychologically and from an English language point of view • receive calls (if you work on reception) • leave messages • find out about another company and talk about your own company • chase people (i.e. people who have not followed up your requests) • deal with difficult calls and callers, and improve your telephone manner • use the telephone while working on a help desk or helpline • resolve language difficulties (i.e. when you cannot understand the other person's English) • improve your pronunciation • use resources on the Internet to improve your listening skills The book concludes with a chapter of useful phrases. There is a brief introduction for trainers on how to teach telephone and helpdesk skills within a Business English course.