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.