Collocations Related to Jobs and the Workplace

The topics about work or study are more or less guaranteed in the IELTS Speaking test because the examiner will start by asking you whether you work or study so that he or she will know what questions to ask next. Here's a list of common expressions and collocations related to jobs and occupations that are useful to know and use not just in the IELTS exam but also in daily life.

10 General expressions about jobs

• to land a job - To secure employment. Ex: He landed a job at a small software company. 
• to be on a job hunt/search - To actively look for a job. Ex: I've been on a job hunt since last month but I'm afraid I haven't found any suitable positions yet.
• to climb the ladder - To progress in one's career. Ex: Early on in his career, he'd realized he had to keep working on himself to be able to climb the corporate ladder. 
• work-life balance - The balance between one's job and personal life. Example from hbr.org: "Work/life balance is at best an elusive ideal and at worst a complete myth, today’s senior executives will tell you." (Groysberg & Abrahams, 2014)
• career path - The progression of jobs over time within one's professional life. Ex: He is considering changing his career path from engineering to data science.
• the job market - The availability of jobs in a certain place, industry, or type of work. Ex: The job market for tech professionals is highly competitive, with companies offering lucrative salaries to attract top talent.
• interpersonal skills - the abilities that help you interact well with other people such as your communication skills or your ability to listen and empathize with others. Ex: Her excellent interpersonal skills made her a respected team leader.
• job security - The sense of assurance that one can keep working at his job rather than lose it unexpectedly. Ex: Many feel that increasing AI capabilities are a threat to job security.
• freelance work/to work freelance - To be self-employed and to work for different companies or clients on specific assignments or projects. Ex: She decided to do freelance work during her one year maternity leave.
• a full-time/part-time job - A full-time job usually requires between 30-40+ hours a week, while a part-time job is usually less than 30 hours a week, though it often depends on the company. Ex: While I was at university, I had a part-time job as a dog groomer at a pet store. 

8 Phrases related to job applications

• to send out one's résumé, or CV (curriculum vitae) - To distribute one's résumé to potential employers
• the hiring manager - The person responsible for overseeing the hiring process for new employees, often the direct supervisor or department head of the position being filled.
• a cover letter - A letter sent with a résumé to provide additional information on one's skills and experience
• job interview - A formal interview to assess an applicant's suitability for a job
• a job offer  - An official offer of a job or position to a candidate. Ex: Upon receiving a job offer, don’t shy away from negotiations. (Wasim Hajjiri, Forbes.com)
• the onboarding process - The process of integrating a new employee into an organization which includes signing paperwork, having orientations, job training, etc.
• internship - A temporary position, usually for a student or trainee, that offers practical experience in a particular field
• probation period - A trial period at the beginning of employment

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8 Phrases about job roles and responsibilities

• job title - The name that describes a person's job or position in an organization
• job description - A detailed list of the tasks and responsibilities of an employee
• workplace hierarchy - A way to organize people in a company so that employees know who is in charge of whom and how decisions are made
• workload - The amount of work assigned to or expected from a worker
• a team player - Someone who works well as a member of a group
• to take on responsibilities - To accept and handle job duties
• to meet deadlines - To complete tasks by their due dates
• project management - The process of leading a team to achieve goals or finish a certain project

6 Phrases about work environment and culture

• work environment - The setting, physical conditions, professional relationships, company culture and other elements in a workplace. There are conducive work environments, poor-quality work environments, toxic work environments and other ways to describe workplaces whether positive or negative. 
• office politics - The use of power and social networking within an organization to achieve changes that benefit the organization or individuals within it
• workplace culture - The shared values, belief systems, attitudes, and set of assumptions that people in a workplace share
• remote work - Working from a location outside of a traditional office environment
• hybrid work - A work arrangement that allows employees to work remotely on some days and work in the office on other days. 
• team building activities - Events or activities aimed to develop good relationships and collaboration among team members, such as outdoor adventures, sports days, creative workshops, travel retreats, etc.

11 Phrases to talk about pay and benefits

• compensation / compensation package - A broad term that encompasses all forms of financial and non-financial rewards given to employees for their work.
• salary - Regular payment for employment.
• hourly wage - Payment based on the number of hours worked.
• commissions - A percentage that a salesperson receives on everything he or she sells.
• employee benefits - O​ther forms of compensation given to employees in addition to their base salaries which may include health insurance, paid time off, retirement benefits, etc. 
• health insurance - Coverage that pays for medical expenses.
• paid time off (PTO) - Employee benefits that provide paid time off work.
• bonuses - Additional compensation received for exceptional performance.
• transportation allowance - Allowance given for commuting expenses, such as public transportation passes, gas money or parking fees.
• job perks (informal) - Additional benefits offered by employers aiming to improve job satisfaction, or employee well-being, such as flexible working hours, the ability to work remotely, or free meals and snacks.
• to get a raise - To receive an increase in salary or pay from one's employer; workers can also ask for a raise.

7 Phrases related to job changes and transitions

• a career change / to change careers - To switch to a different type of job or field
• career pivot / to pivot / to make a pivot - An alternative way to talk about a career change. Ex: "Make no mistake, career pivots involve more friction, disruption, and risk than simply staying on a more linear, traditional career path." (Joseph Liu on Forbes.com)
• to get a promotion / to get promoted - To be given a higher job position
• to transfer - To moving to a different job or location within the same company
• layoff / to be laid off - To lose one's job because the company needs to reduce its number of employees, often due to financial reasons.
• resignation / to resign - to voluntarily leave a job
• retirement / to retire - The act of leaving one's job and ceasing to work, usually upon reaching a certain age

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These collocations are frequently used by native speakers when discussing jobs and occupations, and making them part of your core vocabulary can help you sound more fluent and knowledgeable about workplace topics.