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IELTS vocabulary

IELTS Vocabulary for Work and Jobs: Useful Collocations

Work is covered in Speaking Part 1 and in Task 2 questions on job satisfaction, working hours and automation. These collocations let you describe careers, workplaces and the changing job market naturally.

Finding and choosing a job

Word or phraseMeaningExample
job marketthe supply of and demand for jobsThe job market is tough for graduates without experience.
career prospectschances of advancing in a jobLearning a second language improves your career prospects.
apply for a positionformally ask to be considered for a jobShe applied for a position at a design firm.
recruitfind and employ new staffThe company plans to recruit fifty engineers this year.
qualificationsexams and degrees that show your skillsEmployers often ask for relevant qualifications.
job securitycertainty that you will keep your jobMany people value job security more than a high salary.
entry-level joba basic job for people with no experienceHe started in an entry-level job and worked his way up.

Working conditions

Word or phraseMeaningExample
flexible hoursworking times that can be adjustedFlexible hours help parents balance work and childcare.
remote workingworking away from the officeRemote working saves commuting time and reduces costs.
overtimeextra hours beyond normal working timeStaff are paid double for overtime at weekends.
workloadthe amount of work a person has to doA heavy workload can lead to stress.
commutetravel regularly between home and workI commute for an hour each way by train.
paid leaveholiday time for which you still receive salaryEmployees are entitled to twenty days of paid leave.
working environmentthe physical and social setting of workA friendly working environment increases motivation.

Skills and satisfaction

Word or phraseMeaningExample
job satisfactionfeeling happy and fulfilled at workJob satisfaction often depends on good relations with colleagues.
teamworkworking together as a groupTeamwork is essential in hospitals and engineering projects.
transferable skillsskills useful in many different jobsCommunication is one of the most valuable transferable skills.
meet a deadlinefinish work by the agreed timeJournalists must meet tight deadlines every day.
take initiativeact without being toldManagers like employees who take initiative.
on-the-job traininglearning while doing the workOn-the-job training allows new staff to learn quickly.
sense of achievementpride in having accomplished somethingFinishing a difficult project gives me a sense of achievement.

Pay, careers and change

Word or phraseMeaningExample
salaryfixed regular pay, usually monthlyThe salary is good, but the hours are long.
promotionmove to a higher positionShe earned a promotion after two years of strong results.
career ladderthe series of steps in a careerIt is hard to climb the career ladder without good mentors.
self-employedworking for yourselfMany freelancers are self-employed and manage their own taxes.
redundancylosing a job because it is no longer neededAutomation has led to redundancy for factory workers.
retrainlearn new skills for a different jobOlder workers may need to retrain when technology changes.
unemployment ratethe percentage of people without workThe unemployment rate is highest among young adults.

How to use these words well

  • Say take a job, apply for a job and do a job rather than make a job.
  • Learn pairs such as heavy workload and tight deadline; examiners notice natural collocations.
  • In Speaking Part 1, answer why you chose your job with one reason plus a short example.
  • Redundancy means losing a job; do not use it to mean extra or unnecessary in everyday talk.

Study guides

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