Lesson 14: Work and Business

Covering letter

Please send your CV and a covering letter to the HR department.

thư giải thích gửi kèm theo ( thư gửi kèm - đặc biệt khi xin việc - để giới thiệu bản thân và giải thích lí do ứng tuyển)

On business = business trip: chuyến công tác

Many people travel abroad on business several times a year.

đi công tác

A dead-end job = career plateau: sự nghiệp dậm chân tại chỗ

Working in that position for years felt like being stuck in a dead-end job.

công việc không có cơ hội thăng tiến

An entry-level job = internship

After graduation, she found an entry-level job in a marketing agency.

công việc không đòi hỏi kinh nghiệm, thường dành cho người mới vào nghề

A high-powered job = senior position

She left her high-powered job in finance to start her own business.

một công việc nắm giữ vị trí quan trọng

A lucrative job = well-paid job

Although teaching is rewarding in many ways, it is not considered a particularly lucrative job.

công việc kiếm được kiếm nhiều tiền

Get a promotion = advance in one’s career

Getting a promotion often requires not just skills but also good networking.

được thăng tiến

Get a rise = salary increase

If I work extra hours, I might get a rise next month.

được tăng lương

be fired/ dismissed = terminate employment: chấm dứt hợp đồng lao động

He was fired for consistently missing deadlines.

bị phạt/ bị sa thải

Have a heavy workload = tight schedule

I’ve been under stress lately because I have a heavy workload at the office.

có nhiều việc

Work overtime = work extra shifts

I sometimes have to work overtime when deadlines are approaching.

Employees often complain when they are required to work overtime without extra pay.

làm thêm giờ, tăng ca

Set to work = set about (doing) sth: bắt tay vào làm gì đó

She immediately set to work preparing the presentation.

bắt tay vào việc

Make short work of = deal with sth quickly: xử lý nhanh chóng

She made short work of the assignment and finished it in just an hour.

làm xong nhanh; đánh bại nhanh, giải quyết nhanh chóng

Work a scheme for sth = implement a program: triển khai một chương trình

The government is working a new scheme to reduce youth unemployment.

thi hành một kế hoạch

Work oneself into a lather = lose one’s temper

There’s no need to work yourself into a lather about such a minor mistake.

rất buồn, lo lắng (quá mức)

Work oneself into a rage

He worked himself into a rage after reading the unfair comments online.

nổi giận, tự làm mình nổi giận

Generous benefit = attractive benefits

Employees are attracted to organizations that provide generous benefits and career opportunities.

phụ cấp, hỗ trợ, chế độ đãi ngộ

A menial job = blue-collar work

Many immigrants are forced to take menial jobs despite having high qualifications.

công việc lao động chân tay

Earn a living = provide for oneself

He earns a living by working as a taxi driver.

kiếm sống

Go into business = set up a business

After graduating, she decided to go into business with her cousin.

đi vào hoạt động kinh doanh

Do business with sb = trade with

China does business with almost every country in the world.

buôn bán với ai

It’s none of your business

đó không phải là chuyện của mày!

Set up a company = establish a company

• Many young entrepreneurs set up companies to introduce innovative products.

To start or establish a business or company.

(thành lập công ty)

Do market research = investigate the market

• Before launching a new product, companies usually do market research to understand consumer demand

To collect and analyze information about consumers’ needs, competitors, and market trends before starting or expanding a business.

(tìm hiểu thị trường)

Go/ sell like a hot cake = sell rapidly = fly off the shelves: bán hết nhanh

• the new Iphone went like hot cakes on the first day of release.

To be sold very quickly and in large quantities.

(bán đắt như tôm tươi)

Run a company = manage a company

Run a business

• It is not easy to run a company in today’s competitive market, especially for start-ups.

To manage or be in charge of a business or company.

(điều hành công ty/ doanh nghiệp)

Operate at a loss = run at a loss

• Despite operating at a loss, the firm decided to continue in the hope of long-term profitability.

To continue business activities when expenses are higher than revenues, resulting in a financial loss.

(đầu tư nhiều vốn)

Break even = reach balance

• Many small business struggle for years before they break even.

To have neither profit nor loss; to have income equal to expenses.

(hòa vốn)

Tough competition = intense competition

• The company faces tough competition from international brands.

Strong or difficult competition; a situation where many rivals make success hard to achieve.

(sự cạnh tranh gay gắt)

Gain market share = increase in sales

• Between 2000 and 2010, Apple gained significant market share in the smartphone industry.

To increase the percentage of total sales that a company has in particular market. (đạt được thị phần)

Go bankrupt = go broke

• If a company fails to adapt to new technologies, it might go bankrupt.

• I almost went broke when I was a student because I didn’t know how to manage my budget.

To become unable to pay debts and officially declared bankrupt. (bị vỡ nợ, phá sản)

Hire on staff = take on employees

• In order to expand, many companies have to hire on staff with specialized skills.

to employ new staff members; to add employees to a company. (thuê nhân công)

Make a deal with = make an agreement with

• If local farmers can make a deal with supermarkets, they will have a more stable income.

To reach an agreement, especially in business, politics, or negotiation. (thỏa thuận với; với ký kết một hợp đồng với)

Black market

• Many rare medicines are available only on the black market.

An illegal system of buying and selling goods or services. (thị trường đen/ chợ đen)

Common market

• The creation of a common market reduces trade barriers among neighboring countries.

A group of countries that have agreed to allow goods, services, money, and sometimes people to move freely across borders without restrictions such as tariffs or quotas. (thị trường chung)

Flea market

• I found some vintage clothes at the flea market.

An outdoor market where old or second- hand goods are sold, often at low prices. (chợ đồ cũ, chợ trời)