Be professional

It is vital to give professional examples. You can talk about yourself but always try to use a professional context. If you have to choose a topic you have only experienced as a customer try to keep the examples general but use the perspective of the company not of the customer.

I have often had students who want to speak only from a personal perspective. With some questions, this is a very natural mistake but you MUST avoid it.

For example, with this question,

What is important when applying for a new job?

• Salary

• Career development

•  

It is easy to fall into the trap of saying something like this:

Firstly the salary is important because I want an increase in my annual salary if I change jobs. When I changed to this job, there was a significant difference so it was a worthwhile move.

Secondly, career development opportunities are necessary too. I would not change companies unless I was moving to a higher position, nor would I decide to change if I could not see any future chance of promotion.

Finally, the location of the new company is a factor too. I have to commute for over an hour to my office, so if I could find a new job which was closer to home I would definitely consider the reduction in travel time in my decision.

What is wrong with that? you might think. The English is good and the points made are logical.

I agree that the English is good and there is logic in the answers. However, does it answer the question, what is important when applying for a new job? No, it is an excellent answer to the question, what is important for you when you apply for a new job? It is vital in the exam that you answer the specific questions asked (this is true for all parts of the speaking text and the writing test).

Fortunately, if you adjust the perspective in the above answer, you can have an excellent answer.

Firstly the salary of a possible new job is important to consider because you should have an increase in annual salary when changing jobs. Most people would feel that a significant difference in salary makes changing companies a worthwhile move.

Secondly, career development opportunities are necessary too. Generally, people do not change companies unless they move to a higher position, or if they cannot see any future chance of promotion.

Finally, the location of the new company is a factor too. Many people have to commute for over an hour to their offices, so they would definitely consider the reduction in travel time in their decision. It might even be as important as the previous two points.

So, by using you, people and they instead of I, the answer becomes more professional and less personal. More importantly, the answer gets a positive result for this part of the test.

Ways to practice.

Use past exam papers, some are available online, or you can buy a book with past exam papers of all parts of the exam.

If it is difficult to think of spontaneous examples, try the exercise with more every day topics

For example

What is important when you go to the supermarket?

A list

Bags

Money

You should be able to produce something like this.

Firstly it is important to write a shopping list because you can plan what you need and your shopping trip will be quicker. Make sure you don’t forget your list.

Secondly, bags are useful because now you often have to pay for bags. If you take your own bags you can save money and help the environment.

Finally, money is essential because without it you can’t pay for your shopping. Overall money is the most important because it is what you really need, you can forget the other two.