Let’s talk about one IELTS topic everyone can relate to — Work.
Whether you love your job or dream of a better one, IELTS often tests your ability to talk about careers, job satisfaction, or work-life balance in both Writing and Speaking.
If you stick to basic phrases like “I have a job” or “I work every day,” you’ll sound too simple for a high score.
To get a Band 8 or higher, you need to use a wide range of topic-related vocabulary.
So in this post, you’ll learn 50+ advanced words, collocations, idioms, and phrasal verbs with real examples — everything you need to sound natural and confident when talking about work.
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General Work Vocabulary
- occupation / profession / career = a type of work or job you do.
- employment >< unemployment = having a job >< not having a job.
- workforce = all the people who are employed in a company or country.
- job satisfaction = the pleasure you get from your work.
- work-life balance = the balance between work and personal life.
- working conditions = the environment and terms of your job.
- promotion = when you move to a higher position in your job.
- salary / wage / income = the money you earn from your job.
- overtime = extra hours worked beyond normal working time.
- remote work / telecommuting = working from home using the internet.
Workplace and Employment Terms
- colleague / co-worker = a person you work with.
- employer / employee (n) = the person or company that hires / the person who works.
- recruitment (n) = the process of finding and hiring employees.
- job vacancy = a position that needs to be filled.
- internship (n) = a temporary job for students or trainees.
- full-time / part-time job = working the whole day or only part of it.
- freelancer / self-employed person = someone who works for themselves.
- retirement (n) = the time when you stop working permanently.
- job stability = how secure your job is.
- career advancement = progress or promotion in your profession.
- do overtime = work extra hours.
- work under pressure = handle stress or tight deadlines.
- gain experience = get knowledge or skills by doing a job.
- build a career = develop your professional life.
- earn a living = make money to support yourself.
- meet deadlines = finish work on time.
- take a break = rest from work.
- resign from a job / quit a job = leave your position voluntarily.
- apply for a job = send your CV or application.
- attend a job interview = meet your employer to discuss your suitability.
Idioms about Work
- get the sack / be fired = lose your job.
- land a job = successfully get a job.
- work your way up = get promoted gradually.
- burn the midnight oil = work late into the night.
- pull your weight = do your fair share of work.
- on the same page = share the same understanding or goals.
- hit the ground running = start a new job quickly and effectively.
- a dead-end job = a job with no chance of promotion.
- call it a day = stop working for the day.
- all in a day’s work = part of your normal routine; nothing unusual.
- take on (responsibility) = accept new work or duties.
- carry out (tasks) = perform or complete something.
- deal with (clients / problems) = handle or manage.
- fill in (forms) = complete by writing.
- hand in (a report / resignation) = submit something officially.
- look for (a job) = try to find employment.
- set up (a company) = start your own business.
- take over (a company) = gain control of something.
- step down (from a position) = resign from an important role.
- cut down on (work hours) = reduce something.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: Topic – Work
Do you work or are you a student?
I’m currently working in customer service for a multinational company. After graduating, I spent about two years in sales, but later I decided to move into customer service because it suits my personality better. I really enjoy helping customers and solving problems every day.
Do you like your job? Why or why not?
Yes, absolutely. One thing I love about my job is that I get to speak English all the time and communicate with people from different parts of the world. It really helps me improve my language skills and learn about other cultures, which makes every day exciting.
What’s the most interesting part of your work?
I’d say it’s definitely the work environment. My boss is very supportive, and my colleagues are friendly and cooperative. We help each other out whenever things get busy, so even when I’m under pressure, I still feel motivated to do my best.
Would you like to change your job in the future?
No, not at the moment. I honestly love what I do, and I feel like I’m still learning and growing in this position. As long as I can keep developing my skills and working in such a positive environment, I don’t see any reason to change jobs.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a Job You Would Like to Have
You should say:
- what the job is
- what skills are required
- why you are interested in it
- and explain whether it’s a popular job in your country.
Sample Answer
In the future, I’d love to become a web designer. I’ve always been fascinated by how websites are built and how design can influence the way people feel when they visit a page. I actually own a website myself, but whenever I want to change something — like the layout or the homepage — I have no idea how to do it, so I always have to contact the IT service for help. That’s why I’d love to learn how to design and manage my own site.
To become a good web designer, you definitely need strong technical and creative skills. For example, you have to know coding languages like HTML, CSS, or JavaScript, and also have a good eye for graphic design and user experience. I think this combination of logic and creativity really appeals to me, because I enjoy both solving problems and creating something beautiful.
I’m particularly interested in this job because it gives you a lot of freedom and flexibility. Many web designers can work remotely or even run their own freelance business, which is something I’d love to do in the future. And I think it would be really satisfying to see your design ideas come to life on a real website.
In my country, web design is becoming a very popular and well-paid profession, especially with the growth of online businesses. However, I’ve also noticed that AI tools are starting to replace some basic design work, which makes the field more competitive. Still, I believe creative and skilled designers will always be in demand, because AI can’t fully replace human creativity and aesthetic sense.
Useful vocabulary
- a web designer = a person who creates and designs websites.
- fascinated = very interested or attracted by something.
- homepage = the main or first page of a website.
- coding languages = systems of symbols and rules used to write computer programs (e.g., HTML, CSS, JavaScript).
- have a good eye for = be skilled at noticing and judging the quality or appearance of something.
- appeals to = attracts or interests someone.
- flexibility = the ability to change or adapt easily; freedom to choose how or when to work.
- work remotely = work from home or outside the office using the internet.
- freelance business = a business where someone works for themselves and takes on projects independently.
- competitive = involving competition; difficult because many people are trying to succeed in the same field.
- in demand = wanted or needed by many people or companies.
- aesthetic sense = the ability to recognize and appreciate beauty or good design.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: Work and Employment
What makes a good job?
I think a good job should offer fair pay and promote gender equality. When employees are paid fairly for the amount of work they do, they feel respected and motivated to perform well. It also helps reduce stress, because people don’t have to worry about making ends meet. Moreover, everyone deserves the same opportunities for promotion and recognition, regardless of gender. When both men and women are treated equally, the workplace becomes more positive and productive because people are valued for their skills, not their gender.
Do you think job satisfaction is more important than salary?
Honestly, I think they’re equally important, especially in today’s world where inflation and the rising cost of living make financial stability essential. However, doing what you love also matters, because if you’re unhappy or stressed every day, it will eventually affect your mental health and overall well-being. So ideally, a good job should provide both — a decent salary and a sense of satisfaction.
How has technology changed the way we work?
Technology has completely changed how we work. These days, more people work remotely, thanks to video conferencing tools and cloud platforms. It’s made communication faster and more convenient. At the same time, AI is starting to replace repetitive tasks, which helps companies save time but also makes some people worry about job security. Overall, I think technology has made work more efficient, but it’s also created new challenges.
