English Jobs Phrases (ESL) List
Below, you will find a list of the phrases that we used in this lesson along with an explanation. I’ve grouped them into different categories for you.
Talking about What You Do
If you want to know what someone’s job is, you can ask them:
- What do you do?
- Do you know what Robert does?Yeah, I think he works in marketing
- They both work in healthcare
Here are some common responses:
- I’m a/an teacher / attorney
- I’m a student / I’m studying at university
- I stay at home and look after the children
- I’m a housewife (a little outdated)
- I’m a stay-at-home mom/dad
- I’m in between jobs at the moment / unemployed
- I have my own business …..
- I was made redundant a few months ago / I was let go a few months ago
- To be sacked / fired = did something wrong [insert you’re fired meme]
- I was sacked from my paper round when I was 13. I was sick for a few days and they found someone else.
- I think he works in marketing
- They both work in healthcare
Talking about Starting and Finishing Work
- Start work at
- He starts work at 5 AM on Mondays
- Finish work at…
- When do finish work this evening?
- When do you get off work this evening?
- I work from 9-5 (meme)
- Personally, I prefer to start work early. At 6:30 if I can.
- I’ve got a few meetings tomorrow, I’ll be back late (link to GET lesson)
- Can you cancel them?
- No
- What about you?
Talking about Job Satisfaction
- I love my job!
- I hate my job at the moment
- My job’s all right
- My job’s a little boring
- My job’s really interesting at the moment
- I’d love my job if I had a better boss
- I’d love my job if I had more time off
Talking about Paid Leave and Holidays
- In the U.K., employees are entitled to 28 total working days of annual leave
- This is usually in addition to the 8 bank holidays
- Do you know which country has the most? Kuwait with 35 and 13 public holidays
- In the U.S., there is no mandatory paid leave – but most companies offer 10 days if you work full-time
- Can you request that Monday off work?
- I used to take time off work to go on holiday, including the World Cup in Germany in 2006
- You had to book your holidays early to make sure you could get that time off
Looking for a Job
- When you want to find a new job, you’ll often say: “I’m looking for a new job at moment” – “I’m looking for work right now”
- When you find something you like, you can apply for that job
- I’ve applied for so many jobs but can’t find anything
- Should I apply to this job? Do you think I could get it?
- In the U.S., you’ll send in your resume, in the U.K., it’s your CV (insert office meme)
Interview Questions and Vocabulary
- The next stage is the interview
- I’ve got an interview for that job on Monday
- This is where you prepare for your interview
- Common questions:
- Tell me about yourself
- What is your greatest strength?
- What is your greatest weakness?
- My weakness is that I work too hard
- Okay…
Here’s a joke: a guy goes for a job interview. The interviewer asks the guy ‘what’s your biggest weakness?’. The guy says ‘I’m too honest’ – The interviewer is confused and says ‘that’s not a weakness’ – To which the guy says ‘I don’t care what you think.’
- What do you know about the company?
- Do you have any questions about the job?
Using the Present Perfect and Continuous
Present perfect and present perfect continuous:
- I’ve worked here since 2011 / I’ve been working here since 2011
- I’ve been trying to get this to work done for 6 hours now
- I’ve been trying to reach Paul in accounts for a few days now
- You haven’t brewed up for ages
Office Gossip
- Did you hear about Shannon in HR. She’s….
- Finally learning
- I’ve got some gossip: Dave’s going to get fired!
- Have you heard? They’ve filled that new management role.
Idioms
- Swamped: I’m swamped at the moment
- Long-term plan: a plan for long period of time
- Game-changer: something significant that will make a big difference
- Think outside the box: explore ideas that are creative and unusual
- Sink or swim: it’s either going to work or it’s not
What to Do Now:
Watch the conversation my wife and I had about jobs here:
