Business English: How to Talk about Your Job Responsibilities

Last updated on 7 June, 2020.

In this lesson, you are going to learn key expressions to talk about what you do and your job responsibilities. 

To find out what someone's job is you ask: 

• What do you do? – This is the most common way to ask. 
• What do you do for a living? = What is your job/profession? 
• What do you work? 
• What is your job?  

How to talk about your job: 

• I'm an office assistant. | I'm a team leader. 
• I work as an office assistant. | I work as a team leader. | I work as a software developer. 

Here are the key expressions you can use to say what you do: 

• I deal with... 
• I handle... 
• I oversee... 
• I'm in charge of + noun | I'm in charge of + VERB + -ing 
• I'm responsible for + noun | I'm responsible for + VERB + -ing 
• My job involves + noun | My job involves + VERB + -ing 

 

• to deal with = to handle 
• to oversee - to watch somebody / something and make sure that a job or an activity is done correctly (Synonym: supervise) 
• to be in charge of - It is used when you are responsible for someone or something. 

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You can also use the structure: 

• responsibility + infinitive | responsibility + VERB + -ing 
  One of my responsibilities is to make sure... 
  One of my responsibilities is making sure... 

Examples: 

• I work as an office assistant. One of my main responsibilities is to arrange meetings and organise events when necessary. I deal with clients, suppliers, and colleagues. I'm responsible for collecting and mailing correspondence, serving customers as well as maintaining supplies and equipment. 

 

• I am a marketing assistant. One of my main responsibilities is to conduct marketing research and to gather important data (social media, web analytics, etc.). I'm in charge of online content on the company's website and social media accounts. I'm responsible for preparing and delivering promotional presentations. 

 

• I am a customer service representative. My job involves managing large amounts of incoming calls. I'm responsible for identifying customers' needs. I handle customer complaints, provide appropriate solutions and keep records of customer interactions. 

Exercise

Read the job responsibilities below and match them with the jobs. There are three extra answers. 

telemarketer, editor, cashier, media assistant, media buyer, promoter, social media specialist, copywriter, typist 


1. This person is responsible for data transfer from paper formats into digital files or database systems and for transcribing documents from dictated tapes. 
2. This person oversees layout (artwork, design, photography) and checks content for accuracy and errors. 
3. This person handles cash transactions with customers using cash registers. 
4. This person is responsible for cold calling people using a given phone directory to sell products. 
5. This person is responsible for comparing and negotiating rates, ad space and time slots with various media outlets. 
6. This person is in charge of distributing product samples, brochures, flyers, etc. to source new sales opportunities. 


Answers: 
1. typist; 2. editor; 3. cashier; 4. telemarketer; 5. media buyer; 6. promoter

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TASK:
Write down about your job responsibilities using key expressions from this lesson. 


Other lessons:
Collocations with Job (Part 1) 
Collocations with Job (Part 2) 
English Lesson: Jobs and Skills
Business English: Working in an office 
English Lesson: Collocations for Success 
English Lesson: Collocations for Feelings 
Commonly Used Phrases in Spoken English 
Business English: Prepositions with WORK 
Business English: How to Talk about Money 
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