Here are some English phrases for talking about jobs, which will allow you to discuss the type of job you do and where you work.

Asking about a person’s job

What do you do?

What do you do for a living?

What line of work are you in?

What sort of work do you do?

What does he do?

What line of work is she in?

Here are some sample answers.

I’m a teacher.

He is a writer.

She is a doctor.

I work as a salesman.

He works as a mechanic.

I work in education.

I work in advertising.’

I work in television.

He works in IT.

I work with cancer patients.

She works with special children.

I am not employed. I stay at home and look after the children.

I’m a housewife.

Employment status

I’ve got a full-time job. I work from nine to six.

I’ve got a part-time job.

I’m looking for a job.

I’m unemployed.

I’m between jobs. (When you are between jobs, you are unemployed.)

I’m out of work.

I’m looking for work.

I was laid off.

I’m retired.

Other questions

Who do you work for?

Where do you work?

Model answers

I work for an educational publisher.

I write for some websites.

I work for a multinational company.

I run my own business.

I’m self-employed.

I work for myself.

I work in a pub.

I work in a shop.

I work in a factory.

I work in a bank.

I work from home.