Talking about jobs

Here are some expressions you can use to talk about jobs.

Asking about a person’s job

  • What do you do for a living?
  • What do you do?
  • What line of work are you in?
  • What does he do?
  • What line of work is she in?
  • What sort of work do you do?
  • Where do you work?
  • Do you work?
  • Are you employed?

Here are some sample answers.

  • I’m a teacher.
  • She is a doctor.
  • I work in education.
  • I work as a salesman.
  • He is a writer.
  • He works as a mechanic.
  • He works in IT.
  • I work in advertising.’
  • She works with special children.
  • I work in television.
  • I work with cancer patients.
  • I am not employed. I stay at home and look after the children.
  • I’m a stay-at-home mother.
  • I’m a housewife.
  • I don’t work.

Employment status

  • I’ve got a full-time job. I work from nine to five.
  • I’m unemployed.
  • I’m looking for a job.
  • I’ve got a part-time job.
  • I’m between jobs. (= I am not employed.)
  • I’m out of work.
  • I was laid off.
  • I’m looking for work.
  • I’m retired.

Other questions

  • Where do you work?
  • Who do you work for?

Model answers

  • I work in a bank.
  • I work for a publishing company.
  • I write for some websites.
  • I work for a multinational company.
  • I’m self-employed.
  • I work for myself.
  • I run my own business.
  • I work in a shop.
  • I work in a factory.
  • I work from home.
  • I work in a pub.
  • I work for a German company.
  • I work in the IT sector.