metaDescription: 'Polish your HR English with phrases for interviews, performance reviews, conflict resolution, and employee onboarding. Practice realistic dialogues.
Practice Roleplays“Thank you for coming in today. I'd like to start by telling you a little about the role and our team.”
Opening the interview
“Can you walk me through a time when you had to handle a conflict with a colleague?”
Behavioral question
“What attracted you to this position specifically?”
Gauging motivation
“We'll be in touch within the next five business days with our decision.”
Closing the interview
“I'd like to discuss your performance over the past quarter and set some goals for the upcoming one.”
Framing the review
“Your work on the migration project was outstanding. The client specifically mentioned your responsiveness.”
Positive feedback
“One area for development is stakeholder communication. I'd like to see more proactive updates to the team.”
Constructive feedback
“I've asked to meet with both of you because I'd like us to work through this disagreement together.”
Opening mediation
“I'd like each of you to share your perspective without interruption. We'll start with you, James.”
Structuring the conversation
“It sounds like there may be a misunderstanding at the root of this. Let me see if I can summarize what I'm hearing.”
Reframing
“Welcome to the team! I'm going to walk you through your first week and introduce you to some key people.”
Day one welcome
“Here's an overview of our benefits package. Please take your time reviewing it and let me know if you have any questions.”
Benefits overview
“Your buddy for the first month will be Sarah from the marketing team. She'll be your go-to person for any day-to-day questions.”
Assigning a mentor
“I want to make sure everyone is clear on the updated remote work policy that takes effect next month.”
Policy rollout
“If you have any concerns about how this affects your team, my door is always open.”
Encouraging feedback
“This change was informed by employee survey results and benchmarking against industry standards.”
Justifying a policy
“onboarding”
The process of integrating a new employee
/ON-bor-ding/
“retention”
Keeping employees engaged and at the company
/rih-TEN-shun/
“attrition”
The gradual loss of employees
/uh-TRIH-shun/
“compensation”
Total pay and benefits package
/kom-pen-SAY-shun/
“grievance”
A formal complaint by an employee
/GREE-vunts/
“probation”
A trial period for new employees
/proh-BAY-shun/
“severance”
Payment to an employee upon termination
/SEV-er-unts/
“compliance”
Adhering to laws, regulations, and policies
/kum-PLY-unts/
“diversity and inclusion”
Creating equitable workplaces
/dy-VER-sih-tee and in-KLOO-zhun/
“succession planning”
Preparing for leadership transitions
/suk-SESH-un PLAN-ing/
“engagement survey”
A tool to measure employee satisfaction
/en-GAYJ-ment SER-vay/
“benchmarking”
Comparing practices against industry standards
/BENCH-mark-ing/
“whistleblower”
Someone who reports misconduct
/WIS-ul-bloh-er/
“exit interview”
A conversation with an employee who is leaving
/EX-it IN-ter-vyoo/
“upskilling”
Training employees in new competencies
/UP-skil-ing/
| Word | ❌ Common Error | ✅ Correct | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| grievance | GREE-vee-ants | GREE-vunts | Two syllables only: GREE-vunts. |
| attrition | at-RIH-shun | uh-TRIH-shun | Starts with a schwa: uh-TRIH-shun. |
| remuneration | re-MOO-ner-ay-shun | rih-myoo-nuh-RAY-shun | Five syllables with stress on '-RAY-'. |
| probation | PRO-bay-shun | proh-BAY-shun | Stress on the second syllable: proh-BAY-. |
| whistleblower | wis-tul-BLOH-er | WIS-ul-bloh-er | The 't' is silent. Say WIS-ul-bloh-er. |
“We need to do the hiring for this position.”
“We need to fill this position.”
Why: 'Fill a position' is the standard HR expression, not 'do the hiring for'.
“The candidate has a good experience.”
“The candidate has good experience.”
Why: In this context, 'experience' is uncountable - no article needed.
“I want to discuss about your performance.”
“I want to discuss your performance.”
Why: 'Discuss' is transitive - it doesn't need 'about'.
“The employee has resigned from the company since last week.”
“The employee resigned from the company last week.”
Why: Resignation is a completed action - use simple past, not present perfect with 'since'.
“Please revert me with your availability.”
“Please let me know your availability.”
Why: 'Revert' means to go back to a previous state. Use 'let me know' or 'get back to me'.
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