USEFUL VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS.

typical: [adjective] having all the usual qualities or features that we expect. A woman whose job is to sell products will usually have to meet a lot of people, and sometimes these may be international customers.

My friend/my boss is no different – she is a typical saleswoman.

• Example: A typical street in the centre of London has crowds of shoppers, and the roads are full of cars, taxis and buses.

dresses well: [verb+adverb] she wears a particular style or type of clothes and these give her a good appearance.

• Example: In England, people dress formally when they go for a job interview.

appearance: [noun] the way that somebody looks. If you are selling products, your appearance must be tidy and professional.

• Example: Photographers always follow famous people, so those people pay a lot of attention to their appearance – they want to look good !

skirt: [noun] a piece of clothing for a girl or woman which goes from the waist and covers part of the legs.

pencil skirts: [adjective+noun] a skirt which is narrow and straight.

• Example: Pencil skirts are often worn by professional women, such as secretaries or executives.

midi dresses: [noun] dresses which cover the legs to below the knees.

smart: [adjective] looking clean, new and attractive.

• Example: I have to be smart for work.

complement: [verb] to add something in a way that makes it look more attractive or improves it.

• Example: His smart tie complemented his formal suit.

figure: [noun] the shape of the body.

look: [noun] this is another word for appearance – the way that somebody looks.

• Example: My friend has a very professional look when she is at work.

draw attention: [verb+noun] my boss/my friend attracts the interest of everyone.

• Example: In the world of men’s fashion, David Beckham draws the attention of the world media.

customer base: [noun combination] all the people who buy or use a particular product or service.

• Example: We need to appeal to a wider customer base.

closing the deal: [verb+noun] making an agreement with a customer or supplier.

• Example: As a professional saleswoman, my friend usually closes the deal and makes a sale to her clients.

compliment: [verb] to say something which expresses praise or admiration for a person.

• Example: My boss complimented me on the work which I completed last week.