IELTS Speaking Topic: Job – Part 1, 2 & 3 Vocabulary and Sample Answers

For those who are preparing for the IELTS test, especially with the Speaking topic, you will surely encounter topics that are very familiar in life. Besides the topics of Family, Friends, Hobbies, Job is also a topic you should not ignore. And of course, nothing can be difficult for you once you have equipped yourself with a solid vocabulary and grammar.

In this article, IDP will suggest you important vocabulary as well as ideas when encountering the topic of Job in the IELTS Speaking test.

The Speaking section is essential in IELTS and lasts 11 to 14 minutes, divided into Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. Although shorter than the other skills, it counts for 25 percent of your overall score.

• Part 1: General personal questions about daily life topics like family, home, hobbies, work or studies. Duration: 4–5 minutes.

• Part 2: You receive a cue card with a topic to talk about. You have 1 minute to prepare, then speak for 2 minutes. The examiner may ask a few follow‑up questions.

• Part 3: A deeper discussion based on Part 2, exploring ideas in more detail.

Question: Do you work or study?

I currently work as a content writer at a small private English center, a fairly common job in Vietnam. My main role is to compile academic materials for the learners there.

Score‑boosting vocabulary:

• Prevalent (common)

• Compile something (to assemble or produce content)

Question: Why did you choose that work?

Although it is not highly paid, it gives me the satisfaction of contributing to society. I have a genuine liking for education and consider this a teaching or training career. The students’ progress motivates me to do better.

Vocabulary:

• The satisfaction of making a contribution

• Have a particular liking for something

• Motivation for doing something

Question: Is there any other job you’d rather do?

I dream of becoming an interpreter. I am a die‑hard fan of my university lecturer who works as both an interpreter and a teacher of interpreting. His career stories immersed me in the profession. It is both challenging and fascinating.

Vocabulary:

• Always dream of doing something

• Die‑hard fan

• Immersed in something

• Both challenging and fascinating

Cue: Describe a job you’d like to do in the future

When I read the cue card, the first idea that came to mind was becoming an interpreter.

An interpreter has fluent speaking skill in another language besides their mother tongue. Their role is to convert spoken language from one to another to support cross‑cultural communication.

It involves listening, understanding and memorizing content in the source language, then conveying it in the target language. Interpreters often cope with stress and exercise self‑control while dealing with unclear accents or fast speakers. The job is technically demanding but exhilarating.

I am drawn to this path as I have developed some necessary skills through my university major in translation and interpreting. Although I am not yet fully fluent in English, I aim to reach fluency through practice and expanding my knowledge. The role may open opportunities to travel or work in multinational companies, where I can meet people worldwide and learn about their cultures and experiences.

Vocabulary:

• Entail something

• Cope with stress

• Take one’s self‑control

• Tricky to discern

• Keep one’s cool

• Technically demanding

• Exhilarating

• Broaden one’s horizons

• Multinational company

Question: Which jobs command the most respect in your country?

I believe professions in business, education and medicine are the most respected. Business roles are valued for wealth and status, while educators and medical professionals invest their time helping others. In Vietnam, teachers, doctors and nurses earn deep respect.

Vocabulary:

• Highly‑acclaimed

• Make a fortune

• Have the utmost respect for somebody

• The like (similar professions)

Question: Some prefer working for themselves rather than working for a company. What do you think?

If you seek independence or upward mobility, becoming a self‑made entrepreneur can be practical. You can make decisions and earn well.

However, those without initial resources often must work diligently in companies to gain experience and save before launching their own ventures.

Vocabulary:

• Climb the social ladder

• Self‑made

• Born with a silver spoon in their mouth

• Pull their socks up

• Venture

Question: What do you think of the trend of young people switching jobs frequently?

I think job hopping reflects changing work nature and desire for growth. Young people switch jobs to find better work environments, higher salaries and advancement opportunities. While this may suggest low commitment to employers, it also shows the need for continuous learning, adaptation and innovation in a competitive labor market.

Vocabulary:

• Job hopping

• Tend to do something

• In search of

• A handsome salary

• Commitment

• Adaptation

Common Job Titles

Job-Related Vocabulary

• Job seekers

• Lifelong goal

• Internship

• Work experience

• Pension scheme

• Subsidized money

• Working conditions

• Overtime

• Health insurance

• Offer of employment

Common Expressions

• Work‑life balance

• The increasingly competitive job market

• To be stuck behind a desk

• Create a positive and healthy work environment

• A higher level of job satisfaction

• One of the perks of the job

• Frequently feel exhausted

• Busy working schedules

• Make more errors at work

• A nine‑to‑five job

• Learn various skills and experience

• Gravitate toward big cities in search of work

• Overworked and underpaid

• Qualify for something

• Do business with someone

• Supervise someone

• To have a long way to go

Idioms Worth Using

• To bring out the best (in someone)

• To bring home the bacon

• To be snowed under (with something)

• To sweat blood

• To learn the ropes

• Movers and shakers

• Practice makes perfect

• To think outside the box

• To burn the midnight oil

Final Thoughts

Strong vocabulary, grammatical accuracy and consistent practice are essential to excel in IELTS Speaking: Job topic.

Explore IDP’s IELTS Prepare resources to practice quality materials, build confidence, and aim for your target score. Once you are ready, register for IELTS with IDP for access to exclusive guides, expert tips and seminars from international IELTS professionals.

Good luck on your IELTS journey!