Pronunciation: /dʒɒb/ (BrE), /dʒɑːb/ (AmE)
Part of speech: noun
Frequency Level: A1
Register: neutral
Definition
A paid position of regular employment in which a person performs work or specific duties for an organization, company, or individual.
Extended Meaning
“Job” refers to a role or occupation in which someone works in exchange for payment. It may involve full-time, part-time, temporary, or long-term responsibilities. The term is central in discussions about careers, economic activity, daily routines, and responsibilities. It also appears in informal contexts to describe tasks, roles, or specific assignments.
Detailed Explanation
A job is a core concept in professional life and personal identity. Jobs differ in skill level, purpose, working conditions, and required qualifications. The word appears in contexts such as hiring, interviews, duties, performance, workload, and workplace culture. It also applies metaphorically to describe tasks (“a difficult job”) or obligations (“your job to help”). The word “job” is one of the most frequent vocabulary items in workplace English and everyday conversation.
Semantic Field
job vs. work — “job” is the position; “work” is the activity.
job vs. career — career refers to long-term professional development; job is a single role.
job vs. occupation — occupation is formal; job is general and common.
job vs. task — task is a specific action; job is the whole role.
job vs. role — role refers to function; job is the formal position.
Example Sentences
- She started a new job last month.
- His job requires him to travel often.
- They offered him a job at the company.
- She enjoys her job because it is creative.
- He left his job to look for better opportunities.
- The job involves working with customers.
- She applied for several jobs online.
- His job is demanding but rewarding.
- They are looking for someone to fill the job.
- She lost her job during the economic downturn.
Dialogues
- — Do you like your job?
— Yes, very much. - — What job do you have?
— I work in marketing. - — When did you find your job?
— Last year. - — Is your job stressful?
— Sometimes. - — Are you looking for a new job?
— Not at the moment. - — What does your job involve?
— Mostly planning projects. - — Did you get the job?
— Yes, they called me today. - — How far is your job from home?
— About twenty minutes. - — Is the job full-time?
— Yes, it is. - — Why did you leave your last job?
— I wanted a change.
Stories
Story 1: The First Interview
Emily prepared carefully for her job interview. She reviewed her notes, practiced answers, and chose a simple outfit. When she arrived at the office, she was nervous but confident. The interviewer asked about her experience and goals. By the end of the meeting, she felt she had done her best. A week later, she received an email offering her the job.
Story 2: A Long Workday
After a busy day at his job, Daniel walked slowly to the bus stop. He had spent hours organizing documents and solving problems. Although he was tired, he felt satisfied. The job challenged him, but it also helped him grow. The quiet evening ride home allowed him to reflect on the day.
Story 3: The New Position
Lana accepted a job in a different city. She packed her belongings and moved into a small apartment near her workplace. At first the job felt overwhelming, with new responsibilities and unfamiliar coworkers. Over time, she adapted and found her place. The job opened doors she hadn’t expected.
Story 4: Helping Out
During the summer, Tom found a temporary job at a local café. He served customers, cleaned tables, and learned how to prepare drinks. It wasn’t easy, but he enjoyed the pace and the friendly customers. The job taught him discipline and teamwork.
Story 5: The Promotion
After months of hard work, Malik was promoted to a more important job. The new role required careful planning and leadership. He felt proud that his efforts were recognized. The job gave him new motivation and energy for the future.
Common Collocations
job interview — a formal meeting to discuss a position.
Example: She prepared well for the job interview.
job offer — an invitation to work in a position.
Example: He received a job offer yesterday.
job description — a list of duties and responsibilities.
Example: The job description includes customer service tasks.
job market — the availability of jobs in the economy.
Example: The job market is very competitive.
job search — the process of looking for work.
Example: Her job search lasted three months.
job training — preparation or instruction for a position.
Example: The company provides job training for new employees.
job security — stability and likelihood of keeping a job.
Example: He values job security more than salary.
job performance — how well a person performs their job duties.
Example: Her job performance was excellent.
part-time job — a position with fewer hours.
Example: He took a part-time job while studying.
full-time job — a position with regular full working hours.
Example: She has a full-time job at a design firm.
Syntactic Patterns
apply for a job
accept a job
leave a job
lose a job
find a job
offer a job
job involves + activity
adjective + job (difficult job, good job, stable job)
Colligation
prepositions:
in a job
at a job
apply for a job
offer someone a job
job in + field (job in education, job in finance)
verbs with “job”:
find, apply for, offer, accept, quit, lose, keep, perform
Usage Notes
“Job” is concrete; “work” is abstract.
“I have a job” is correct.
“I have a work” is incorrect.
The word appears in both formal and informal contexts.
Cultural and Historical Notes
Jobs shape social structures, economies, and personal identities. Historical shifts—such as industrialization, technology, and remote work—changed the nature of jobs. Job traditions and expectations differ across cultures, including interview styles, workplace hierarchy, and communication norms.
Idioms and Fixed Expressions
“on the job” — while working
“job well done” — praise for good performance
“do a good job” — perform well
“it’s not my job” — not my responsibility
“job of a lifetime” — a perfect or ideal job opportunity
Pronunciation Notes
Learners sometimes pronounce the vowel too long. The correct vowel is the short /ɒ/ or /ɑː/ depending on the dialect. Stress is on the single syllable.
Typical Errors
Incorrect: I am looking a job.
Correct: I am looking for a job.
Incorrect: She has a good work.
Correct: She has a good job.
Incorrect: He find a new job last week.
Correct: He found a new job last week.
Incorrect: I applied on a job.
Correct: I applied for a job.
Incorrect: The job are interesting.
Correct: The job is interesting.
Learner’s Checklist
– plural: jobs
– correct preposition: apply for a job
– job vs. work distinction
– idioms: job well done, on the job
– typical mistakes: missing prepositions
Word Family
job (noun)
jobless (adjective)
job seeker (noun)
job-related (adjective)
Morphological Notes
Regular plural: jobs
Countable noun
Often used with prepositions: for, at, in
Mini Test
- Correct plural: jobs
- Select correct phrase: apply ___ a job (for)
- Correct the error: “I have a work.” → I have a job.
- Which is abstract: job or work? (work)
- True or false: “job” is countable. (True)
Usage Scenarios
- Applying for a job.
- Describing job responsibilities.
- Talking about job experiences.
- Discussing job changes.
- Explaining job conditions or duties.