IELTS Vocabulary for Work and Careers

how happy you feel with your job

For me, job satisfaction matters more than a big salary.

practical time spent doing a job

I got some work experience at a local company last summer.

a job that takes up the whole working week

I'm looking for a full-time job once I finish my degree.

a job with fewer hours than a full working week

I had a part-time job in a cafe while I was studying.

a meeting where an employer asks about your suitability

I was really nervous before my first job interview.

the general direction your working life follows

I'm still not sure which career path is right for me.

someone who works well with others

My manager always says I'm a good team player.

to formally ask to be considered for a job

I'm going to apply for a job at that company next week.

to actively try to find work

I need to look for a job as soon as I graduate.

to be paid well for your work

You don't need to earn a good salary to feel satisfied at work.

the split between your job and the rest of your life

I took a pay cut for a better work-life balance.

to progress steadily to higher positions

I don't want to climb the career ladder if it means never seeing my family.

to become exhausted from working too hard

A lot of my colleagues burn out after a few years in that role.

to agree to handle bigger or harder tasks

I asked to take on more responsibility after my first year.

practical experience gained by doing the work yourself

The internship gave me real hands-on experience in the industry.

confidence that your job will continue in the future

My parents always valued job security over a higher salary.

to voluntarily leave a position of responsibility

He decided to step down from a role that was making him unhappy.

a period where you must learn a lot very quickly

The first month in that job was a steep learning curve for me.

to build professional contacts and relationships

I try to network with people in the industry at every conference.

to manage several tasks at the same time

In my current job, I have to juggle multiple projects every week.

to be gradually promoted within an organisation

I'd love to move up the ranks without changing companies.

a timetable that requires a lot of time and energy

Nurses often work a demanding schedule with very little rest.

a job with no chance of promotion or progress

I left because it felt like a dead-end job with no real future.

financial benefits that make it hard to leave a job

The bonus scheme felt like golden handcuffs after a while.

to sense the mood of people before speaking or acting

A good manager knows how to read the room in a tense meeting.

already achieved or gained through experience

With five years under my belt, I finally felt confident applying for that role.

something that helps you progress toward a bigger goal

I saw the internship as a stepping stone to a permanent contract.

to perform several different roles or jobs at once

At a small company, you often have to wear many hats.

excessive official rules that slow down progress

Getting the project approved meant cutting through a lot of bureaucratic red tape.

to do something the easiest or cheapest way, ignoring quality

My old boss used to cut corners just to meet deadlines.