Describing a Career

Learn to talk and write about a career. Practice how to speak and write about a current career and career changes. Practice useful vocabulary, speaking tasks, and IELTS-style writing activities. Build confidence for real-life situations, exams, and everyday communication today. Start practising now!

Learning Flow in This Unit:

1. Understand – listen to a dialogue and learn key vocabulary
2. Practice – complete vocabulary exercises
3. Use – apply the vocabulary in speaking and writing tasks
4. Check – see the answers below the exercises

📖 Stage 1 – Understand the Vocabulary

1️⃣ Listening for the main idea

Listen to the dialogue and choose the best answer.

Focus on the general topic and main message of the conversation. Do not worry about understanding every word.

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1. What are the friends discussing in the dialogue?
2. What do they both hope to achieve in their careers?

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Sam: Hey, Emma! How’s everything going with your job?

Emma: Hi, Sam! It’s been okay, but I’ve been thinking about my career prospects lately.

Sam: Yeah? What’s on your mind?

Emma: Well, I’ve been with the same company for a while now, and I’m looking for something more rewarding. I want to feel like my hard work is recognized.

Sam: I get that. Have you talked to your boss about it? Maybe you could get promoted or take on more responsibilities.

Emma: I haven’t yet, but I’m considering it. I want to see if there are opportunities to move up within my department first.

Sam: That sounds like a good plan. If you don’t see any progress, you could always hand in your notice and look for something elsewhere.

Emma: Yeah, that’s true. I just don’t want to feel stuck or get sacked.

Sam: I understand. It’s important to feel valued and fulfilled in your work. I’m sure you’ll figure it out!

Emma: Thanks, Sam. It helps to talk about it. How about you? How are your career prospects looking?

Sam: I’ve been thinking about the same thing, actually. I’m considering applying for some positions elsewhere to see what’s out there.

Emma: That sounds exciting! I hope you find something that’s a better fit for you.

Sam: Thanks, Emma. Here’s to both of us finding fulfilling careers!

Emma: Cheers to that!

2️⃣ Listening for details

Listen to the dialogue again and decide if the statements below are True or False.

This time, listen carefully for specific information, such as reasons, opinions, or examples mentioned by the speakers.

1. Emma is happy with her current job.
2. Emma wants her work to be recognized.
3. Emma has already spoken to her boss about her career situation.
4. Sam suggests that Emma could ask for more responsibilities or a promotion.
5. Sam is not thinking about changing jobs.
6. Both Emma and Sam are thinking about improving their careers.

3️⃣ Vocabulary matching

Match the words or expressions with their correct definitions.

Read each word carefully and choose the definition that best explains its meaning in the context of the topic.

1. Rewarding	A. To become more successful or reach a higher position in your job
2. To get promoted	B. Something that makes you feel satisfied because it is meaningful or worthwhile
3. To take on a responsibility	C. To be dismissed from a job (lose your job because of poor performance or other reasons)
4. To move up	D. To accept a new task or duty at work
5. Within a department	E. In another place or location
6. To hand in a notice	F. To give your employer a formal letter saying you are leaving your job
7. Elsewhere	G. To be suitable for a particular job or situation
8. To get sacked	H. To explore other job opportunities available in the job market
9. To fulfill	I. To achieve or complete something successfully
10. To see what’s out there	J. To be moved to a higher position or level in a company
11. A better fit	K. Inside a specific section or area of a company or organization

✏️ Stage 2 – Practice the Vocabulary

4️⃣ Gap fill 

Complete the sentences using the words from the list.

Use each word once. Choose the word that best fits the meaning and grammar of the sentence.

rewarding · get promoted · take on a responsibility · move up · within a department · hand in a notice · elsewhere · get sacked · fulfil · see what’s out there · a better fit

1. She decided to __________ after finding a job that suited her better.
2. If you work hard, you might __________ and become a team leader.
3. He was asked to __________ and help manage the new project.
4. Many employees hope to __________ in the company over time.
5. She is looking for a job __________ because she wants new opportunities.
6. He didn’t enjoy the job, so he chose to __________ and leave the company.
7. After several warnings, the employee was eventually __________.
8. She works __________ in the marketing team, focusing on social media.
9. This job is very __________ because it allows me to help others.
10. He wants to __________ and explore different career options before deciding.
11. She felt the new position was __________ for her skills and experience.

5️⃣ Collocations exercise

Some words often appear together in natural English. Choose the word that forms the correct expression.

rewarding · get promoted · take on a responsibility · move up · within a department · hand in a notice · elsewhere · get sacked · fulfil · see what’s out there · a better fit

1. a __________ job
2. __________ in your career
3. __________ your duties
4. __________ in the company
5. work __________
6. __________ your potential
7. __________ from your job
8. __________ a notice
9. __________ opportunities
10. __________ career prospects
11. a __________ for someone

6️⃣ Word forms exercise

Complete the table with the correct word forms.

Fill in the missing verb, noun, adjective, or adverb forms of the words.

Verb	Adverb	Adjective	Noun
To reward
To promote
To fulfill

Use the correct form of the word in brackets.

1. The job is very __________ because it allows me to help others.
2. She received a __________ after working hard for many years.
3. The company decided to __________ him after his excellent performance.
4. He felt __________ when he finally achieved his career goals.
5. Good teachers aim to __________ the potential of every student.
6. The work was completed __________ and on time.

7️⃣ Paraphrasing / sentence transformation

Rewrite the sentences using the word in brackets.

Keep the same meaning, but change the structure of the sentence.

This exercise helps you learn different ways to express the same idea.

1. She decided to leave her job because she wanted something more meaningful. (rewarding)
2. He was given a higher position after years of strong performance. (promoted)
3. She is thinking about leaving her current company to explore other options. (elsewhere)
4. He is unhappy in his job because he feels he is not developing professionally. (move up)
5. They offered him a new role with more responsibilities in the marketing team. (within a department)
6. After a series of mistakes, he lost his job. (sacked)
7. She submitted her resignation because she felt the job no longer suited her. (hand in a notice)
8. Before making a decision, he wants to explore different career options. (see what’s out there)
9. She believes the new job suits her skills and personality better. (better fit)
10. He needs to accept more responsibility if he wants to progress in his career. (take on a responsibility)
11. She hopes to achieve her full potential in her new role. (fulfil)

8️⃣ Error correction

Each sentence contains one mistake. Find the mistake and correct it.

This exercise helps you improve accuracy and natural vocabulary use.

1. She is looking for a more rewardingly job that matches her skills.
2. He was promote last year after completing several successful projects.
3. She decided to take a responsibility of managing the whole team.
4. He hopes to move on in his career within a different department.
5. Many employees want to work in elsewhere for better opportunities.
6. After repeated mistakes, he got sacking from the company.
7. She handed in her notices because she was unhappy with the management.
8. Before making a decision, he wants to see what is out there’s in the job market.
9. She feels this job is a best fit for her experience.
10. He needs to fulfil more responsibilities if he wants to be promoted.

🗣️ Stage 3 – Use the Vocabulary

9️⃣ IELTS Speaking tasks.

Practice using new vocabulary in IELTS Speaking Parts 1-2-3:

Answer the questions using vocabulary from this unit.

Part 1 (4-5 minutes):

1. What is your name? /give your full name: first name and last name/
2. What shall I call you?
3. Can I see your ID, please?

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1. Do you work or are you a student?
2. Where do you work/ study?
3. Do you like your job/ studies?
4. If you had to change one thing about your job/ studies, what would you change? Why? 

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First, let’s talk about happiness. 

1. Are you a happy person? Why or why not?
2. What usually makes you happy or unhappy? 
3. Does the weather ever affect how you feel? Why or why not?
4. What makes you smile?

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Now, let’s consider the topic of languages. 

1. How many foreign languages do you speak? 
2. When did you start learning your first foreign language?
3. How many foreign languages do children in your country learn at school?
4. Do you enjoy studying languages? Why or why not?

Part 2 (2-3 minutes):

Describe a time when you made an important decision about your career or studies.

You should say:

• what the situation was
• what decision you had to make
• what you decided to do

and explain why this decision was important for you.

You have 1 minute to take notes. You should speak for 2 minutes.

💡 You can use these ideas to help you (optional prompts):

• feeling that your job/studies were no longer rewarding
• deciding to move up or change direction
• thinking about working elsewhere
• whether you wanted to get promoted or change your role
• realising a better fit for your skills
• deciding to hand in your notice or stay within a department
• exploring what’s out there before making a choice

Part 3 (5-6 minutes):

Answer the following questions. Give reasons and examples.

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Let’s discuss career development & job satisfaction

1. What factors make a job feel rewarding for most people?
2. Do you think it is important for employees to move up in their careers, or is job stability more important? Why?
3. How can companies help employees feel more motivated within a department?
4. Why do some people choose to hand in a notice even when they have a stable job?

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Let’s consider changing jobs & career choices

1. Why do people decide to change jobs instead of getting promoted?
2. What are the risks of seeing what’s out there before making a career decision?
3. How can someone decide whether a new job is a better fit for them?
4. How has the way people think about careers changed compared to the past?

🔟IELTS Writing tasks

Task 1 (IELTS Academic Training): Write at least 150 words. You have 20 minutes to plan – write – proofread your task. 

Task 2: Write at least 250 words. You have 40 minutes to plan – write – proofread your task. 

Some people prefer to stay in the same company for many years and try to move up within a department, while others believe it is better to work in different places to gain experience and see what’s out there.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

💡 Ideas to help you:

• staying in one company → stability, job security, chance to get promoted, build strong relationships
• changing jobs / working elsewhere → broader experience, discovering a better fit, higher salary, more rewarding opportunities
• risks → getting sacked, lack of stability, difficulty moving up in one place
• opinion → balance or one approach more effective depending on personality/career goals

🧭 Structure Guide:

Introduction

• paraphrase the topic
• state that both views will be discussed + your opinion

Body Paragraph 1 – View 1

• staying in one company / moving up within a department

Body Paragraph 2 – View 2

• working elsewhere / exploring opportunities

Conclusion

• summary + clear opinion

ANSWERS 

EXERCISE 1:

1. What are the friends discussing in the dialogue?
They are discussing their career prospects and job satisfaction, including whether to seek new opportunities or move up in their current jobs.

2. What do they both hope to achieve in their careers?
They both hope to find more fulfilling and rewarding careers, where they feel valued and can grow professionally.

EXERCISE 2:

1. False – Emma says she has been thinking about her career prospects and wants something more rewarding, which shows she is not fully satisfied with her current job.
2. True – She clearly states that she wants to feel like her hard work is recognized.
3. False – Emma admits she has not spoken to her boss yet, but she is considering it.
4. True – Sam suggests that Emma could talk to her boss and possibly take on more responsibilities or get a promotion.
5. False – Sam mentions that he is considering applying for positions elsewhere, so he is thinking about changing jobs.
6. True – Both Emma and Sam discuss making changes in their careers to find more fulfilling work.

EXERCISE 3:

1 – B
2 – J
3 – D
4 – A
5 – K
6 – F
7 – E
8 – C
9 – I
10 – H
11 – G

EXERCISE 4:

1. hand in a notice
2. get promoted
3. take on a responsibility
4. move up
5. elsewhere
6. hand in a notice
7. get sacked
8. within a department
9. rewarding
10. see what’s out there
11. a better fit

EXERCISE 5:

1. rewarding job
2. move up in your career
3. fulfil your duties
4. within a department
5. work elsewhere
6. take on a responsibility (take on responsibility is also acceptable in natural usage)
7. get sacked from your job
8. hand in a notice
9. see what’s out there
10. see what’s out there / explore career prospects (both acceptable depending on context)
11. a better fit for someone

EXERCISE 6:

Verb	Adverb	Adjective	Noun
To reward	rewarding(ly)	rewarding / rewarded	reward / rewarder
To promote	promotionally	promotional / promoted	promotion
To fulfill	—	fulfilling/ fulfilled	fulfilment

1. rewarding
2. promotion
3. promote
4. fulfilled
5. fulfil
6. fully

EXERCISE 7:

1. She left her job in search of something more rewarding.
2. He was promoted after years of strong performance.
3. She is thinking about working elsewhere to explore other options.
4. He is unhappy in his job because he feels he is not able to move up professionally.
5. They offered him a new role within the marketing department with more responsibilities.
6. He was sacked after a series of mistakes.
7. She decided to hand in her notice because she felt the job no longer suited her.
8. He wants to see what’s out there before making a decision.
9. She believes the new job is a better fit for her skills and personality.
10. He needs to take on more responsibility if he wants to progress in his career.
11. She hopes to fulfil her potential in her new role.

EXERCISE 8:

1. She is looking for a more rewarding job that matches her skills.

2. He was promoted last year after completing several successful projects.

3. She decided to take on a responsibility of managing the whole team.

4. He hopes to move up in his career within a different department.

5. Many employees want to work elsewhere for better opportunities.

After repeated mistakes, he got sacked from the company.

She handed in her notice because she was unhappy with the management.

Before making a decision, he wants to see what is out there in the job market.

She feels this job is a better fit for her experience.

He needs to fulfil more responsibilities if he wants to be promoted.