Siddharth from Nashik wrote an essay on job satisfaction and salary. He used the word “job” fourteen times and the essay still felt thin.

Learn IELTS work and careers vocabulary as phrases with their usual partners, not as single words. The 15 phrases below sit in two groups, with three Task 2 questions and three Part 3 questions to practise on.

What Can You Say Instead of “Job”?

The official IELTS website describes Lexical Resource as the range of vocabulary you use and how accurately and appropriately you use it. Siddharth’s ideas were fine; he needed alternatives to “job”.

IT and service jobs, start-ups, delivery and ride-hailing work, and government jobs give you everyday examples.

Work Words: Jobs and Progress

Word or phrase Meaning Example
job satisfaction The good feeling you get from a job you enjoy. She left a well-paid job because her job satisfaction was low.
career prospects Your chances of getting a better job or position in future. Good communication skills can improve your career prospects.
promotion A move to a more important job in an organisation. She worked hard and won a promotion to team leader.
job security The certainty that you will keep your job. Some people choose a government job for its job security.
on-the-job training Training you receive while doing your job, not in a classroom. New recruits receive on-the-job training from experienced colleagues.
career change Moving to a completely different type of job or profession. After ten years in banking, he made a career change into teaching.
skilled workforce The workers in a country or company who have special skills. Technical colleges can help a country build a skilled workforce.
retirement age The age at which people usually stop working. My father is approaching retirement age, but he wants to keep working.

Work Words: The Changing Workplace

Word or phrase Meaning Example
work-life balance The balance between your working time and your personal life. Flexible hours can help parents keep a good work-life balance.
remote working Working away from the office, usually at home, using technology. Remote working saves employees the time and cost of commuting.
freelance Earning money by selling your services to several clients. Some designers work freelance and choose their own clients.
gig economy An economy based on short-term jobs rather than permanent ones. Food delivery and ride-hailing drivers work in the gig economy.
unemployment rate The percentage of people who want to work but have no job. The government wants to lower the unemployment rate among young people.
burnout Extreme tiredness or illness caused by working too hard for too long. Long hours and unrealistic targets can lead to burnout.
flexible hours Working times that you can choose or change. Flexible hours let parents take children to school before work.

Collocation and Word Form: Errors to Avoid

Incorrect: “She was promotion to team leader last year.”

Correct: “She was promoted to team leader last year.”

Promotion is the noun (win a promotion); promote is the verb (be promoted to).

Incorrect: “New recruits receive in-the-job training.”

Correct: “New recruits receive on-the-job training.”

The fixed phrase is “on-the-job”.

IELTS Writing Task 2: Work and Careers Practice Questions

Give yourself five minutes to plan each answer, which is our advice, not an IELTS rule. Then write it using at least four phrases from the tables.

Practice question 1 (written for this post)

Some people believe that job satisfaction is more important than earning a high salary. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • People who enjoy their work may feel less stress and stay longer.
  • A high salary gives financial security and helps with family costs.
  • Career prospects and fair pay also affect how satisfied people feel.
  • Some people accept a less enjoyable job for the sake of job security.

Practice question 2 (written for this post)

Some companies now allow staff to work from home. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

  • No commute saves time and money, and may reduce stress.
  • Flexible hours can help people balance work and family.
  • Working alone may reduce teamwork and make it difficult to switch off.
  • Companies may save on office costs but spend more on technology.

Practice question 3 (written for this post)

Some people believe that employees should stay with one company throughout their working lives, while others prefer to change employers regularly. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

  • Staying with one employer can bring job security and a clear path to promotion.
  • Changing jobs can build new skills and sometimes lead to a higher salary.
  • Frequent changes may worry employers who want long-term staff.
  • Long service can limit experience of different workplaces.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Work and Careers Questions and Sample Answers

Part 3 is a discussion of general, abstract issues linked to your Part 2 topic, so practise extended answers on abstract topics and language for giving reasons.

What makes a good employer?

Sample answer (illustrative Band 7)

I think a good employer treats people fairly. That means giving on-the-job training and a real chance of promotion, and respecting work-life balance with flexible hours. If staff feel looked after, they’re less likely to suffer burnout and more likely to stay.

Will people work fewer hours in the future?

Sample answer (illustrative Band 7)

I’m not sure. Remote working and automation could make shorter weeks possible in some offices. But in the gig economy, people may work long shifts to earn enough. And if the unemployment rate is high, workers may accept long hours to protect their job security.

Is it better to work for a large company or a small one?

Sample answer (illustrative Band 7)

It depends on the person. A large company can offer more job security and a clear path to promotion. A small start-up can give you a wider range of tasks and faster learning, which may help you discover what really gives you job satisfaction.

Tip

Link each phrase to someone you know, such as a relative with a government job.

Key Takeaways

  • Learn work phrases with their usual partners, not as single words.
  • Check word class: promotion is a noun, promoted is a verb form.
  • In Task 2, give both sides before you state your own view.

The bottom line: Next time you write “job”, choose a more specific phrase from the tables, such as career prospects or job security.