Summary of Work and Employment Vocabulary

## Introduction A strong vocabulary about work and employment helps you understand job adverts, write CVs, and talk about careers. This guide breaks down common English words and phrases related to work, gives clear definitions, examples, and shows related terms side by side for easier learning. ## Basic Concepts and Definitions > **application (n):** a written request for a job or position > **apply for (phr v):** to make a formal request for a job > **employment (n):** the state of having paid work > **full-time / part-time (adj):** describes how many hours you work; full-time usually means more hours than part-time > **permanent / temporary (adj):** permanent jobs have no fixed end date; temporary jobs last for a limited time > **self-employed / freelance (adj):** working for yourself rather than an employer; freelance means you work on individual projects for various clients > **qualifications (pl n):** certificates, degrees, or skills needed for a job > **promote (v) / promotion (n):** to move to a higher position at work / the act of being moved to a higher position > **redundant / sack / be fired / resign / resignation (v / n):** ways employment ends: made unnecessary (redundant), dismissed by employer (sack / be fired), or left voluntarily (resign / resignation) > **retire / retirement (v / n):** to stop working because of age or choosing to end a career > **run / set up (v):** to manage a business / to start a business ## Jobs and Professions > **farm (n) / farmer (n):** land used to grow crops or raise animals / a person who works that land > **law (n) / lawyer (n):** the subject or system of rules / a professional who practices law > **science (n) / scientist (n):** study of the natural world / a person who does scientific research > **music (n) / musician (n):** the art of sound and composition / a person who performs or creates music > **pharmacy (n) / pharmacist (n):** a shop that sells medicines / the professional who dispenses medicines ## Work Conditions and Pay > **overtime (n):** extra hours worked beyond normal working hours > **salary and contracts:** permanent jobs often come with regular pay and benefits; temporary contracts may offer less security ## Related Verbs and Actions > **translate (v):** change text from one language to another > **qualify (v):** to gain the necessary certification or skills for a job ## Comparison Table: Job Types | Type | Definition | Example | Job security | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Full-time | Work many hours per week, usually with benefits | Teacher working 35–40 hours | Higher | | Part-time | Work fewer hours, often flexible | Student working evenings | Lower | | Permanent | No fixed end date | Permanent accountant role | High | | Temporary | Contract for limited period | Summer temp in an office | Low | | Freelance | Project-based, self-managed | Freelance journalist | Variable | | Self-employed | Owns or runs a business | Plumber with own company | Variable | ## Practical Examples and Phrases - Have you looked at John Jackson's **application** for the new job? (application) - Did you **apply for** that teaching job? (apply for) - I think Jodie is going to **be fired** tomorrow. (be fired) - Are you looking for full-time **employment**? (employment) - I grew up on a **farm** in a village. (farm) - My grandparents were sheep **farmers**. (farmer) - I'm a **freelance** journalist. I work for different newspapers. (freelance) - Is your job **full-time** or **part-time**? (full-time / part-time) - Do you want to study **law** at university? (law) - I'm going to study law and become a **lawyer**. (lawyer) - Do you like listening to this **music**? (music) - This song is by my favourite **musician**. (musician) - How much **overtime** do you do every month? (overtime) - I hope they **promote** me soon. (promote) - Congratulations on your **promotion**, Dave! (promotion) - What kind of **qualifications** do you have? (qualifications) - I plan to **quali