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Learning Objectives

2 minutes reading
✓
Distinguish when to use Present Perfect vs Past Simple in professional contexts
✓
Identify time markers that signal each tense
✓
Use both tenses correctly in CVs, interviews, and progress reports
✓
Switch naturally between tenses when discussing work history
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Key for this lesson

Present Perfect = no specific time, still relevant now. Past Simple = specific time in the past, finished action. Ask: "When exactly?" If you can answer, use Past Simple.

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Grammar Explanation

4 minutes reading
Present Perfect

No Specific Time / Still Relevant

Subject + have/has + past participle

Use for: General experience, unfinished time periods, recent news with current relevance

ever never this week today recently so far
Past Simple

Specific Time / Finished Period

Subject + past form (V2)

Use for: Completed actions at a specific time, finished time periods, sequential events

yesterday last week in 2019 ago when then
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The Interview Pattern

In interviews: Start general with Present Perfect ("I've managed several teams"), then give specific details with Past Simple ("In my last role, I managed a team of 12 from 2020 to 2023").

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Context & Professional Usage

5 minutes reading

Present Perfect Contexts

📝 CV Summary: "I've led cross-functional teams."
🎤 Interview Opening: "I've worked in tech for 10 years."
📊 Progress Report: "We've completed three milestones this quarter."
📧 Status Update: "I've reviewed the proposal."

Past Simple Contexts

📋 CV Detail: "I managed the Paris office from 2018-2021."
💼 Interview Example: "Last year, I increased sales by 30%."
📅 Meeting Notes: "We discussed the budget yesterday."
🗓️ Timeline: "The project launched in March."
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Business English Examples

6 minutes reading
✓

Correct Professional Usage

✓
"I've visited our Tokyo office several times." → "I went there in 2022."

General experience → specific detail

✓
"We've increased productivity this year." (still 2024)

Unfinished time period

✓
"We increased productivity last year." (2023 is finished)

Finished time period

✓
"Have you worked with SAP before?" → "Yes, I used it at my previous company."

General question → specific answer

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Common Business Mistakes

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"I have joined the company in 2019."

Use: "I joined the company in 2019." (specific year = Past Simple)

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"I worked on many international projects." (general experience)

Use: "I've worked on many international projects." (no specific time)

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"Did you ever lead a team?"

Use: "Have you ever led a team?" (ever = Present Perfect)

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Professional Listening Exercise

6 minutes

Listen to David, a hiring manager at GreenLeaf Organics, interviewing a candidate for a Marketing Manager position:

🎵 Audio: Marketing Manager Interview
Ready
0:00 / 0:00
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Speed:

David: So, Chloe, thanks for coming in. Your CV looks impressive. You've worked with some big brands in the food industry.

Chloe: Yes, that's right. I've managed several national campaigns for organic products. It's an area I'm passionate about.

David: Excellent. I see you were at 'Creative Solutions' before applying here. Tell me about that role. When did you join them?

Chloe: I started there in 2018. It was a fantastic experience. I led a team of three marketing assistants.

David: And when did you leave that position?

Chloe: I left just last month. I decided it was time for a new challenge, which is why I was so excited when I saw this opportunity.

David: I see. Your CV says you have spearheaded a major product launch. Could you tell me more about that specific project?

Chloe: Of course. In 2021, we launched a new line of breakfast cereals. It was a huge success. We increased our market share by 5% in the first six months. I was responsible for the digital strategy.

David: Very impressive. Have you ever worked with influencer marketing? That's a big focus for us.

Chloe: Yes, I have. On that same project, we collaborated with three well-known food bloggers. The engagement was fantastic, and we learned a lot about performance metrics.

David: That's great to hear. It seems you've had exactly the kind of experience we're looking for. Do you have any questions for me?

Question 1: What specific project does Chloe describe in detail?

💡 Hint: Listen for "major product launch" and "tell me more about that specific project".

Question 2: When did Chloe leave her previous job at 'Creative Solutions'?

💡 Hint: Listen for "And when did you leave...?" and the time marker in the response.

Question 3: What was the result of the breakfast cereal launch mentioned by Chloe?

💡 Hint: Listen for "huge success" and the specific result mentioned in the first six months.

Question 4: Complete the question David asks about Chloe's general experience: "_______________ with influencer marketing?"

💡 Hint: David uses Present Perfect with "ever" to ask about general experience.
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Quick Comprehension Quiz

4 minutes

Choose Present Perfect or Past Simple for each situation:

1

CV: "I _____ five successful product launches." (general achievement)

A have led
B led
C was leading
2

Interview: "In my previous role, I _____ the marketing budget by 40%."

A have reduced
B reduced
C was reducing
3

Progress report: "This month, we _____ three new clients." (month not finished)

A have signed
B signed
C are signing
4

Meeting: "The CEO _____ her concerns in yesterday's meeting."

A has expressed
B expressed
C was expressing
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Professional Practice Exercises

7 minutes

Exercise A: Choose the correct tense

1.

I _______ (work) for three different startups in my career. (general experience)

💡 Hint: General experience without specific time = Present Perfect
2.

She _______ (join) the company in March 2022. (specific date)

💡 Hint: Specific date = Past Simple
3.

We _______ (launch) two new products this year. (year not finished)

💡 Hint: Unfinished time period (this year) = Present Perfect
4.

The team _______ (complete) the project last Friday. (specific day)

💡 Hint: "Last Friday" = specific finished time = Past Simple

Exercise B: Complete the Interview Dialogue

1.

Interviewer: "_______ you ever _______ (manage) a remote team?"

💡 Hint: Questions with "ever" use Present Perfect: Have + subject + ever + past participle
2.

Candidate: "Yes, I _______. I _______ (lead) a remote team of 8 at my previous company."

💡 Hint: Short answer "Yes, I have" + Past Simple for the specific example at previous company
3.

Interviewer: "When _______ you _______ (start) that role?"

💡 Hint: Questions with "When" ask for specific time = Past Simple
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Speaking Preparation

4 minutes
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Preparation for Class

Practice switching between Present Perfect and Past Simple naturally.

💼 Task 1: Interview Practice (Controlled - 1 min)

Answer these interview questions using the correct tenses:

  • "Have you ever worked in [your industry]?" → Yes, I've... / I [past simple]...
  • "What experience have you had with [skill]?"
  • "Tell me about a project you completed last year."
📊 Task 2: Career Timeline (Guided - 2 min)

Describe your career using this pattern:

  • Start general: "I've worked in [field] for [X] years."
  • Add specifics: "I started at [company] in [year]. I worked there for [duration]."
  • Connect to now: "Since then, I've [achievement]."
🔄 Task 3: Discussion (Free - 1 min)

Discuss with your teacher:

  • What's the most important thing you've learned in your career?
  • When did you make a decision that changed your career path?
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Summary: Present Perfect vs Past Simple

Present Perfect: No specific time, still relevant (I've managed...)
Past Simple: Specific time, finished period (I managed... in 2020)
Interview pattern: General (PP) → Specific details (PS)

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