Work & Career
Words for jobs, careers, the workplace, and professional life
Overview
25 A2 words for talking about work, careers, job functions, and the professional world.
Words
accept /əkˈsept/
verb — A2
Meaning: to agree to take something offered; to say yes
Examples:
- She accepted the job offer.
- I accept your apology.
Collocations: accept an offer, accept responsibility, widely accepted
Word Family: accept (v.) → acceptable (adj.) → acceptance (n.)
achieve /əˈtʃiːv/
verb — A2
Meaning: to succeed in reaching a goal through effort
Examples:
- She achieved her dream of becoming a pilot.
- Hard work helps you achieve your goals.
Collocations: achieve a goal, achieve success, achieve results
Word Family: achieve (v.) → achievement (n.)
advantage /ədˈvɑːntɪdʒ/
noun — A2
Meaning: something that helps you or puts you in a better position
Examples:
- Living near the office is a big advantage.
- What are the advantages of this system?
Collocations: take advantage of, competitive advantage, have an advantage
apply /əˈplaɪ/
verb — A2
Meaning: to make a formal request; to be relevant
Examples:
- I applied for the job last week.
- These rules apply to everyone.
Collocations: apply for, apply to, apply online
Word Family: apply (v.) → application (n.) → applicant (n.)
attend /əˈtend/
verb — A2
Meaning: to be present at an event
Examples:
- 200 people attended the conference.
- I couldn’t attend the meeting.
Collocations: attend a meeting, attend school, attend to
Word Family: attend (v.) → attendance (n.) → attention (n.)
career /kəˈrɪər/
noun — A2
Meaning: a job or series of jobs that you do during your life
Examples:
- She’s had a long career in medicine.
- I want to change my career.
Collocations: career change, career path, career advice
colleague /ˈkɒliːɡ/
noun — A2
Meaning: a person you work with
Examples:
- I went for coffee with a colleague.
- She’s a colleague of mine from the office.
Collocations: work colleague, former colleague
contract /ˈkɒntrækt/
noun — A2
Meaning: a written legal agreement
Examples:
- She signed a two-year contract.
- Read the contract before you sign it.
Collocations: sign a contract, contract agreement, short-term contract
deal /diːl/
noun, verb — A2
Meaning: (n.) an agreement or arrangement; (v.) to handle
Examples:
- We made a deal with the supplier.
- How do you deal with stress?
Collocations: a great deal, deal with, business deal, it’s a deal
department /dɪˈpɑːtmənt/
noun — A2
Meaning: a section of a large organization
Examples:
- She works in the marketing department.
- The department has 30 employees.
Collocations: department store, HR department, department head
earn /ɜːn/
verb — A2
Meaning: to get money by working; to deserve
Examples:
- She earns a good salary.
- He earned the respect of his colleagues.
Collocations: earn money, earn a living, earn a degree
Word Family: earn (v.) → earnings (n.)
employ /ɪmˈplɔɪ/
verb — A2
Meaning: to give someone a job to do for payment
Examples:
- The company employs 500 people.
- She was employed as a teacher.
Collocations: employ someone, self-employed
Word Family: employ (v.) → employee (n.) → employer (n.) → employment (n.) → unemployment (n.)
expert /ˈekspɜːt/
noun, adjective — A2
Meaning: someone with great knowledge or skill
Examples:
- She’s an expert in marketing.
- We need expert advice.
Collocations: expert in, expert advice, expert opinion
Word Family: expert (n./adj.) → expertise (n.)
industry /ˈɪndəstri/
noun — A2
Meaning: a type of business or manufacturing
Examples:
- The tourism industry is growing fast.
- She works in the fashion industry.
Collocations: food industry, film industry, industry leader
Word Family: industry (n.) → industrial (adj.)
interview /ˈɪntəvjuː/
noun, verb — A2
Meaning: a meeting to ask someone questions (for a job, on TV, etc.)
Examples:
- I have a job interview tomorrow.
- The journalist interviewed the actor.
Collocations: job interview, interview for, interview process
Word Family: interview (n./v.) → interviewer (n.)
manage /ˈmænɪdʒ/
verb — A2
Meaning: to be in charge of; to succeed in doing something difficult
Examples:
- She manages a team of twelve people.
- I managed to finish the report on time.
Collocations: manage to, manage a team, manage money
Word Family: manage (v.) → manager (n.) → management (n.)
organize /ˈɔːɡənaɪz/
verb — A2
Meaning: to plan and arrange; to put things in order
Examples:
- Who’s organizing the party?
- I need to organize my desk.
Collocations: organize an event, well-organized, organize your time
Word Family: organize (v.) → organization (n.) → organizer (n.)
position /pəˈzɪʃn/
noun — A2
Meaning: a job; the place where someone or something is
Examples:
- She applied for the position of manager.
- What’s your position on this issue?
Collocations: job position, in position, strong position
profession /prəˈfeʃn/
noun — A2
Meaning: a type of job that requires special training
Examples:
- Teaching is a rewarding profession.
- What profession are you in?
Collocations: by profession, medical profession, legal profession
Word Family: profession (n.) → professional (adj./n.) → professionally (adv.)
project /ˈprɒdʒekt/
noun — A2
Meaning: a planned piece of work with a specific purpose
Examples:
- We’re working on a new project.
- The project deadline is next Friday.
Collocations: project manager, start a project, research project
responsibility /rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪləti/
noun — A2
Meaning: a duty to deal with something; being in charge
Examples:
- It’s your responsibility to lock the door.
- She has a lot of responsibility at work.
Collocations: take responsibility, personal responsibility, sense of responsibility
Word Family: responsibility (n.) → responsible (adj.) → irresponsible (adj.)
salary /ˈsæləri/
noun — A2
Meaning: the money you receive regularly for doing your job
Examples:
- She earns a good salary.
- The average salary has increased.
Collocations: annual salary, starting salary, salary increase
skill /skɪl/
noun — A2
Meaning: the ability to do something well
Examples:
- Communication is an important skill.
- She has excellent language skills.
Collocations: skill set, soft skills, develop skills
Word Family: skill (n.) → skilled (adj.) → skilful (adj.)
staff /stɑːf/
noun — A2
Meaning: the people who work for an organization
Examples:
- The staff are very friendly.
- We need more staff in the kitchen.
Collocations: staff meeting, staff member, teaching staff
task /tɑːsk/
noun — A2
Meaning: a piece of work to be done
Examples:
- I have several tasks to complete today.
- Writing reports is part of my daily tasks.
Collocations: daily task, complete a task, task list
Quick Review
| Word | Type | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| accept | v. | agree to take |
| achieve | v. | reach a goal |
| advantage | n. | helpful benefit |
| apply | v. | request formally |
| attend | v. | be present at |
| career | n. | working life |
| colleague | n. | work companion |
| contract | n. | legal agreement |
| deal | n./v. | agreement; handle |
| department | n. | organizational section |
| earn | v. | get money by work |
| employ | v. | give work to |
| expert | n./adj. | specialist |
| industry | n. | business sector |
| interview | n./v. | formal questioning |
| manage | v. | be in charge |
| organize | v. | plan; arrange |
| position | n. | job; place |
| profession | n. | trained occupation |
| project | n. | planned work |
| responsibility | n. | duty |
| salary | n. | regular pay |
| skill | n. | ability |
| staff | n. | employees |
| task | n. | work piece |