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💼 Work & Career Vocabulary for IELTS & TOEFL
Professional vocabulary for discussing employment, job responsibilities, workplace culture, and career development—essential for IELTS speaking and writing on work-related topics.
▶ Practise with audioWork & Career word list
competency noun — the ability to perform a job or task successfully and effectively
“Technical competency in programming languages is crucial for software engineers.” ↗ skill
“Technical competency in programming languages is crucial for software engineers.” ↗ skill
delegation noun — the assignment of responsibility or authority to another person
“Effective delegation allows managers to focus on strategic decisions.” ↗ assignment
“Effective delegation allows managers to focus on strategic decisions.” ↗ assignment
entrepreneur noun — a person who starts and operates their own business venture
“Successful entrepreneurs often take calculated risks to build their companies.” ↗ business founder
“Successful entrepreneurs often take calculated risks to build their companies.” ↗ business founder
onboarding noun — the process of integrating new employees and familiarizing them with the company
“A structured onboarding program helps new employees become productive quickly.” ↗ induction
“A structured onboarding program helps new employees become productive quickly.” ↗ induction
appraisal noun — a formal review of an employee's job performance and conduct
“Annual performance appraisals help identify areas for professional development.” ↗ evaluation
“Annual performance appraisals help identify areas for professional development.” ↗ evaluation
collaboration noun — working together with others toward a common goal
“Cross-team collaboration improves project outcomes and innovation.” ↗ teamwork
“Cross-team collaboration improves project outcomes and innovation.” ↗ teamwork
mentor noun — an experienced person who advises and guides a less experienced individual
“A good mentor provides career guidance and shares valuable industry insights.” ↗ advisor
“A good mentor provides career guidance and shares valuable industry insights.” ↗ advisor
redundancy noun — dismissal from employment due to job elimination or business needs
“Factory redundancies increased as manufacturing moved overseas.” ↗ layoff
“Factory redundancies increased as manufacturing moved overseas.” ↗ layoff
freelance adj/verb — working for multiple employers without a permanent position
“Many professionals freelance to maintain flexible working schedules.” ↗ self-employed
“Many professionals freelance to maintain flexible working schedules.” ↗ self-employed
diversity noun — representation of different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives in the workplace
“Workplace diversity fosters creativity and improves decision-making.” ↗ inclusion
“Workplace diversity fosters creativity and improves decision-making.” ↗ inclusion
promotion noun — advancement to a higher position with increased responsibility and salary
“Promotions are typically based on performance and years of service.” ↗ advancement
“Promotions are typically based on performance and years of service.” ↗ advancement
commute noun/verb — the journey between home and workplace; to travel regularly to work
“Remote work eliminates the daily commute for many employees.” ↗ journey
“Remote work eliminates the daily commute for many employees.” ↗ journey
grievance noun — a formal complaint about treatment or working conditions
“Employees can file a grievance if they believe their rights have been violated.” ↗ complaint
“Employees can file a grievance if they believe their rights have been violated.” ↗ complaint
productivity noun — the effectiveness of effort as measured by work accomplished
“Flexible working hours improved employee productivity and satisfaction.” ↗ output
“Flexible working hours improved employee productivity and satisfaction.” ↗ output
burnout noun — physical and emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged workplace stress
“Burnout rates among healthcare workers have reached critical levels.” ↗ exhaustion
“Burnout rates among healthcare workers have reached critical levels.” ↗ exhaustion
networking noun — building professional relationships to exchange information and opportunities
“Professional networking at conferences opens doors to new career opportunities.” ↗ relationship building
“Professional networking at conferences opens doors to new career opportunities.” ↗ relationship building
skill set phrase — a collection of competencies and abilities a person possesses
“Project managers require a diverse skill set including leadership and communication.” ↗ capabilities
“Project managers require a diverse skill set including leadership and communication.” ↗ capabilities
probationary adj — relating to a trial period to test suitability for employment
“New hires typically undergo a three-month probationary period.” ↗ trial
“New hires typically undergo a three-month probationary period.” ↗ trial
remuneration noun — payment or compensation for work or services provided
“Competitive remuneration packages attract top talent to the organization.” ↗ compensation
“Competitive remuneration packages attract top talent to the organization.” ↗ compensation
work-life balance phrase — equilibrium between time spent on work and personal/family life
“Achieving work-life balance is crucial for long-term employee wellbeing.” ↗ life balance
“Achieving work-life balance is crucial for long-term employee wellbeing.” ↗ life balance