What I would like to do next — Workbook
1. Vocabulary in context
Complete each sentence with ONE word or phrase from the box. Two items are extra.
- My long-term drop is to run a small consultancy of my own by the age of forty.
- My immediate drop is to move from analyst to team lead within the next twelve months.
- I'm not chasing a promotion — I'm considering a drop into product, to build a completely new skill set.
- In the review I'm going to ask about the drop into senior manager next year.
- Marta was my drop at that company — she actively put my name in rooms I wasn't even in.
- I'm drop change functions next year, but I'm not fully decided yet.
- Honestly, I drop start with the pricing review before the pop-up — it's higher-leverage.
- drop transfer to the Madrid office for the second half of next year?
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2. Would like · would rather · will · going to
Write the correct form for the FUNCTION in brackets.
- 'I ___ (like) move into people management in the next twelve months.' [current wish, not yet decided]
- 'It's decided — I ___ (start) managing a small team in January.' [signed off, committed]
- 'Between the two roles, I ___ (take) the internal one — better long-term shape.' [preference]
- 'Don't worry — I ___ (send) you the updated CV tonight.' [promise made just now]
- '___ you ___ (like / join) us for the client dinner on Thursday?' [polite invitation]
- 'I ___ (rather / not) commit to that today, if that's OK.' [polite refusal]
- '___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ share the draft by Wednesday?' [formal written polite ask]
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3. Career-conversation register
Choose the option that sounds professional in a real one-to-one.
Opening a career conversation — which is strongest?
Asking for a training budget — which is strongest?
Turning down a project you don't want to lead — which is professional?
'Sorry to bother you but I was just wondering if maybe, if you have a moment, would it possibly be OK if perhaps we could talk about my career sometime.' — what's wrong?
Converting a wish into a plan — which sentence does that best?
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4. Find and fix the mistake
Each sentence has ONE grammar or register mistake typical of A2+/B1 professionals. Rewrite it correctly.
- 'I would like coffee.' — offered to you by a colleague.
- 'I'd rather to start with the pricing review.'
- 'I like to move into product management next year.'
- 'Would you like join us for the client dinner?'
- 'I was sort of wondering if maybe you could perhaps, if it's not too much trouble, send me the file when you have a moment, no rush at all.'
- 'I want promotion this year.'
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6. Listening — 60-second one-to-one prep voicemail
A more senior colleague leaves a 60-second voicemail to help a junior professional prepare for her first properly ambitious one-to-one. Listen (or read the transcript) and answer.
- What is the caller's overall goal in leaving this voicemail?
- What is the SPECIFIC opening sentence the caller tells her to use?
- What does the caller explicitly tell her NOT to say?
- Name the ONE closing tip the caller gives.
Show transcript
Isabel (Senior Colleague):Hi — quick voicemail before your one-to-one tomorrow. I know you've been rehearsing this in your head for three weeks, so please listen carefully.
Isabel (Senior Colleague):First: do NOT open with 'sorry to bother you', do NOT open with 'no pressure', and do NOT open with 'I know it's early to be asking this'. All three of those undo the sentence you're about to say next.
Isabel (Senior Colleague):Second: use the exact frame. 'I'd like to use twenty minutes today to talk about the next twelve months.' That's your opener. It sets the agenda without asking for permission.
Isabel (Senior Colleague):Third: state the wish dated and clean. 'In the next twelve months I'd like to lead a small team of one or two people.' Not five years — twelve months. Specific.
Isabel (Senior Colleague):Fourth — and this is the important one — end with the two-part question. 'What would need to be true, from your side, for that to be a realistic conversation at our March review? And what would you need from me between now and then?' Then STOP talking. Do not fill the silence.
Isabel (Senior Colleague):That silence is what turns your wish into her problem to help solve. Good luck. You've got this.
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7. Writing — career-conversation opener message (120–150 words)
Write the message you would ACTUALLY send to your manager to book your next career conversation (120–150 words). Structure: (1) a one-sentence frame for the conversation, (2) the specific twelve-month wish, (3) one first step you're already taking or willing to commit to, (4) one polite request or proposal ('Would it be possible to…?'), (5) one question your manager can genuinely answer. Use AT LEAST one 'I'd like to', one 'I'd rather' OR 'I'm hoping to', and one formal polite request form. Do NOT use: 'sorry to bother you', 'no pressure', 'if that's OK', 'just a quick one'.
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8. Case study preview
Look at this unit's Case Study. Answer briefly.
- What is the main career-conversation challenge in the case for Unit 10, and which stakeholder is under the most pressure?
- If you were coaching that stakeholder, what is the ONE career-wish sentence you would give them to say out loud in their next one-to-one — the equivalent of 'in the next twelve months I'd like to…'?
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