English for Business

Speaking
Section 5-Interviews

Unit 40 Persuading your manager

© 2017 Acadsoc Limited

 Outline
01. Review (3mins)
02. Exercise (12mins)
03. Speaking (9mins)
04. Summary (1min)

© 2017 Acadsoc Limited 1

 Suggested time: 3mins

A. Review
In the previous lesson, you have learned three steps on how to ask for a pay raise.

Step 1 Research on Step 2 Prepare your Step 3 Negotiate with your

appropriate pay raise presentation for the ‘ask for boss for a pay raise
a pay raise’ meeting ① Be straightforward in
① Familiarize yourself with the
company’s pay practices; ① Accomplishments you addressing your
② Research the market pay have achieved; request for a pay raise;
rates for your job; ② Responsibilities you ② Persuade and negotiate
③ Read your company’s have taken; with your boss based
handbook. ③ Set a pay increase goal; on the research you’ve
④ Network with other ④ Set up a meeting with done;
employees in similar jobs. your boss. ③ Remain polite whatever
the result.

© 2017 Acadsoc Limited TI: Do a brief review of last lesson. 2

 Suggested time: 4mins

B. Exercise
1. Look at the following three statements and decide True or False. Then explain
why. Follow the example.

E.g. You should approach your boss when they’re feeling relaxed
instead of at the busiest time of the week.
True or False

Statements
1. When you meet your boss for a raise, you should pay True False
attention to your manner, appearance and dress
appropriately.
2. You can ask for a pay raise because of your personal True False
problems. For example, you need a lot of money
because you cannot pay your credit card.
3. If your boss says ‘no’ to your request for a pay raise, True False
you should change your job as soon as possible
because your boss doesn’t care about you at all.

© 2017 Acadsoc Limited TI: Ask S to decide true or false and explain why . Answers are on the next page. 3
Answer:
1. True
2. False Suggested time: 4mins
3. False

2. Using an appropriate tone of voice: polite; confident, and persuasive is crucial when asking
for a raise. Which of the following speakers use an appropriate tone? You can make some
notes while listening. Then repeat what they say with appropriate tone.

(71s) http://www.acadsoc.com.cn/IES/Aplayer.aspx?code=9188EF297603C99A

Speaker 1: I think you’ll agree that my proposal is quite convincing.

Speaker 2: I’d like to ask for a transfer to a different department.
Speaker 3: Would you be willing to support my request?
Speaker 4: Wouldn’t you say this should be taken into consideration?
Speaker 5: I’d like to discuss my compensation with you.
Speaker 6: Wouldn’t it make sense for me to attend a management training
course? .
Speaker 7: I thought that might be a problem, so perhaps you would consider
this proposal.
Speaker 8: I wanted to ask you if it would be possible for me to extend my
paternity leave(陪产假).
Speaker 9: Don’t you agree that my performance has exceeded expectations?
Speaker 10: I’m sure you can understand my concerns.

TI: Ask S to listen to the audio and then repeat the sentences with proper tone. Answers 4
© 2017 Acadsoc Limited are on the next page.
Answer:
Expressions with
appropriate tone: Suggested time: 4mins
1, 4, 5, 8 and 9
3. Look at the following four expressions, and decide what mistake each employee
makes. Explain why in your own words.

Employee 1
I need a pay raise because I’m having personal problems. I have to
take care of a sick relative.
Employee 2
I just found Sally do less than I do, but she gets a higher salary than
me. I need a pay raise.
Employee 3
I just bought a house and need to make the mortgage payment
(抵押贷款), so I want 1 billion dollars.
Employee 4
If you don’t give me a raise I’m out of here.

TI: Ask S to explain why they can or cannot be used when asking for a pay raise for
© 2017 Acadsoc Limited each sentence. The suggested explanation is on page 9. 5
Answer:

Suggested time: 4mins

C. Speaking
1. You would like a transfer to the US office from Beijing. Follow the instruction from
the box. You start.
Instructions:

You: ①________________________________________. 1. Ask your boss, Karen, if you can schedule a

Your boss: Yes, of course. Actually I’m free for 15 meeting with her.
minutes now, if that suits you. 2. Thank her and explain your request.
You: ②________________________________________. 3. Remind her that you’ve been a loyal
Your boss: Oh, I’m not sure about that. We need you employee over the last six years and
here, really. explain how you are keen for a new
You: ③_______________________________________. challenge and the opportunity to live
Your boss: I do understand. But what would we do in abroad.
this office without you? 4. Say that you’ve considered this point and
You: ④________________________________________. were wondering if anyone from the US
Your boss: Well, maybe. I’ll need to think about it. office would consider a job swap (工作调
You: ⑤________________________________________. 换) for a few months.
5. Thank her for her time.

TI: Ask S to follow the instruction and complete the conversation. Give S feedback and
© 2017 Acadsoc Limited correct him/her when S finishes. The suggested answer is on page 10. 6
 Suggested time: 5mins

2. Free talk
Everybody wants to be paid more money at Instruction
work, but they cannot get enough money as When answering this question,
they expected because of some factors. you’d better describe:
a) What this line of work is;
b) The status quo (现状) of this
In your country, which line of work (行业) do
line of work;
you think deserves a raise? Why do you c) Why you think this line of
think so? work deserves a raise.

© 2017 Acadsoc Limited TI: Encourage S to speak as much as possible and give S feedback when they finish. 7
 Suggested time: 1min
D. Summary
What you have learned in Unit 39 and Unit 40:
The process of how to ask for a pay raise appropriately
① Do market research; ② Build your case; ③ Practice your pitch

What should you do after class?

1. Familiarize yourself with how to ask your boss for a pay raise appropriately.
2. Record yourself for review and then listen to yourself. Try to find words which don’t
add anything to your meaning or sentences which you don’t finish, and then try again.
Keep practicing until you master all of them.

© 2017 Acadsoc Limited TI: Summarize what S has learned in the previous units and give S advice for their further study. 8
 Suggested explanation for Exercise 3
Employee1:
When asking your boss for a raise, you need solid reasons. If you say something that don’t relate to
your job at all, you’re automatically at a disadvantage. Your boss may be aware of your troubles and
feel sorry for you, but that sympathy should not translate into a higher salary.
Employee2:
Never, ever compare yourself to another co-worker. It makes you look like a busybody (好事的人) and
gossip hound (猎犬) for finding out a co-worker’s salary. And this is your raise and performance review,
so it could focus on you and not anyone else. Instead of complaining about someone else, focus on
your strengths and value you bring to the company.
Employee3:
Don’t ask for a ridiculous amount of money. You should focus on your professional accomplishments
and prove to your boss that you’re worthy of the investment.
Employee4:
If you threaten your boss for not getting a raise, any future negotiating leverage ( 手段; 影响力) is all but
lost.

© 2017 Acadsoc Limited 9

 Suggested answer for Speaking practice 1

① Excuse me, Karen, I’d like to schedule a meeting with you to discuss my position.
② Thank you. I wanted to ask you if it would be possible for me to get a transfer to the US
office?
③ I appreciate that. But I think you’ll agree that I’ve been a loyal employee over the last six
years and I’m very keen now for a new challenge and the opportunity to live abroad.
④ I thought that might be a problem, so perhaps you would consider this proposal.
Would you be willing to see if any of the employees in the US office would like to do a
job swap for a few months?
⑤ Thanks for your time today. I do appreciate that.

© 2017 Acadsoc Limited 10

 ￥2

See you the next unit!

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