How to Talk About Your Job in English

“So, what do you do?”

That one question pops up in every conversation — whether you’re meeting someone for the first time, joining a class, or just chatting online.

But here’s the thing:

Talking about jobs in English isn’t always easy.

Maybe you’re still learning the vocabulary.

Maybe you don’t know how to describe your work clearly.

Or maybe… you’re not even working right now and don’t know what to say.

You’re not alone — I’ve seen hundreds of students struggle with this over the years.

So today, let’s make it simple.

Let’s talk about jobs in real, easy English.

Why Is It Important to Talk About Jobs Clearly?

Whether you’re taking an English exam (like IELTS), applying for a job abroad, or just trying to make friends online — knowing how to talk about your job is essential.

💼 It shows confidence.
🧠 It reflects your communication skills.
🌍 And it helps people understand your background, interests, and experience.

As an English teacher with over 10 years in the classroom, I can tell you this:
Job-related conversation is one of the most practical skills you can learn.
I’ve had students use it to:

Pass speaking interviews
Make small talk with coworkers
Build new careers in English-speaking countries

So let’s break it down.

1. Start with the Basics: Job Titles

Let’s begin with how to say your job.

If someone asks, “What do you do?” or “What’s your job?” — how do you answer?

Here are some clear sentence structures:

“I’m a + [job title].”
👉 “I’m a teacher.” / “I’m a chef.” / “I’m a driver.”
“I work as a + [job title].”
👉 “I work as a software engineer.”
“I work in + [industry/field].”
👉 “I work in education.” / “I work in healthcare.”

These are small phrases, but powerful ones. Use them confidently!

✅ Pro Tip: Use Articles Correctly

“a/an” before job titles: “I’m a doctor,” “She’s an engineer.”
No article before uncountable or field: “I work in marketing.”

🛠️ Common Job Titles to Know

Job Title	Meaning
Teacher	Educates students
Nurse	Cares for patients
Driver	Operates a vehicle
Salesperson	Sells products
Chef	Prepares meals
Electrician	Fixes electrical issues
Engineer	Designs or builds systems
Accountant	Manages money and finances

If your job isn’t in English, try to find the closest term. For example:

A “halwai” might be called a confectioner or pastry chef.
A “kirana shop owner” might be a shopkeeper or retail store owner.

2. Describe What You Do – Not Just Your Title

Here’s where many learners get stuck.

Saying “I’m a technician” is good.
But people may not know what that means exactly.
So, describe your daily tasks.

Try this sentence frame:
“I + [verb] + [object] + (extra detail).”

Examples:

“I fix computers for a software company.”
“I teach English to adult learners.”
“I take care of elderly people in a hospital.”

This gives your listener a clear picture of your job — and makes you sound fluent!

🧰 Useful Verbs to Talk About Jobs

Verb	Example
manage	I manage a small team.
sell	I sell mobile phones.
deliver	I deliver parcels across the city.
support	I support customers with their problems.
cook	I cook meals in a hotel kitchen.
design	I design websites.
teach	I teach math at a school.

If you’re preparing for interviews or speaking tests, write down your daily tasks in English.

Practice saying them out loud. Trust me — this makes a big difference.

3. Talk About Work Hours, Place, and Team

Sometimes, people ask follow-up questions like:

“Where do you work?”
“Do you work full-time or part-time?”
“Do you work alone or in a team?”

Here are helpful phrases:

“I work from 9 to 5, Monday to Friday.”
“I work at a local restaurant.”
“I work remotely from home.”
“I work with a team of five people.”
“I do night shifts at the hospital.”

These answers don’t have to be long. Keep them natural and simple.

4. Not Working Right Now? Here’s What to Say

Sometimes you’re between jobs — and that’s okay!

Here’s how to talk about it confidently:

“I’m unemployed at the moment.”
“I’m looking for a job in [industry].”
“I’m currently studying / taking care of my family / on a break.”

💡Be honest. English speakers respect clarity more than fancy words.

A student of mine once said, “I’m jobless now.”
Technically not wrong, but sounds a bit negative.
Saying “I’m looking for a job” sounds more confident and professional.

5. Talking About Past Jobs

If you want to share your work experience, use the past tense:

“I worked as a driver for 10 years.”
“I was a receptionist before.”
“I used to manage a small business.”

You can also say:

“I’ve been working in sales since 2015.”
“I’ve worked for big companies like Tata and Infosys.”

Using the present perfect tense (have/has + past participle) shows long-term experience.

👉 Pro tip: If you’re practicing for the IELTS Speaking Test, mix past and present like this:

“I’ve worked as an accountant for the past 6 years, but before that, I worked in retail.”

6. Express How You Feel About Your Job

Language becomes more natural when you show emotion.

Instead of just facts, share your thoughts:

“I love my job. It’s very rewarding.”
“Sometimes it’s stressful, but I enjoy the challenge.”
“It’s boring, to be honest. I want to try something new.”
“I like helping people. That’s why I became a nurse.”

This shows personality — and helps people connect with you.

One of my shyest students once told me,

“I clean rooms in a hotel. It’s hard work, but I’m proud of it.”

Beautiful, honest English. Simple and sincere.

7. Ask About Other People’s Jobs

Remember: Good communication is two-way.

If you’re in a conversation, ask questions like:

“What do you do for a living?”
“Where do you work?”
“Do you like your job?”
“How long have you been working there?”

These questions help build rapport — especially in interviews or group discussions.

And when you don’t understand someone’s job?
Just ask politely:

“That sounds interesting. What do you do exactly?”
“I’ve never heard of that. Can you explain a bit more?”

Being curious shows you care — and helps you learn more vocabulary too!

8. Useful Idioms and Phrases About Work

Let’s spice things up with some real English expressions you’ll hear in workplaces or casual chats.

Phrase	Meaning	Example
A 9-to-5 job	Regular office job	I work a 9-to-5 at an insurance company.
Pulling overtime	Working extra hours	I’ve been pulling overtime all week.
Climb the ladder	Get promoted	He’s climbing the corporate ladder fast.
Burnout	Extreme tiredness from work	I took a break due to burnout.
Get the sack / be laid off	Lose your job	He got the sack last month.
Dream job	Perfect job for you	Teaching is my dream job.
Work-life balance	Balance between job and life	I want a job with better work-life balance.

Use these with care. Not every situation is formal. Some of these are casual and better suited for friends or coworkers, not interviews.

9. Learning from Real-Life Examples (Stories from My Classroom)

Let me share a quick story.

A student named Priya once told me during speaking class:

“I do job.”

That was her answer to “What do you do?” Simple, but incorrect.

We worked on this for two weeks. Practiced new structures, used real examples.
By the end, she was confidently saying:

“I work as a nurse in a private hospital. I care for elderly patients and give them medicines.”

She nailed her next interview.

The lesson? It’s not about fancy grammar. It’s about clear communication.

10. Resources to Practice Talking About Jobs

If you’re serious about improving, here are some helpful tools:

🎧 Podcasts & Videos

BBC Learning English – English at Work
Voice of America – Learning English

📘 Vocabulary Lists

Try websites like Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries
Use apps like Quizlet or Memrise to review job-related terms

✍️ Practice Activities

Write a short paragraph: “A day in my work life.”
Record yourself answering: “What do you do?”
Role-play with a friend: One is the interviewer, one is the candidate.

Remember — fluency comes from repetition. Speak more, hesitate less.

Conclusion: Your Job, Your Story

Here’s the truth:

You don’t need perfect grammar to talk about your job.

You need confidence, clarity, and practice.

So, next time someone asks, “What do you do?” —

Don’t freeze. Smile. Share. Speak simply.

Whether you’re a teacher, student, driver, chef, or stay-at-home parent — your job is part of your story.

Own it. Speak it. Celebrate it.

Your Turn!

Here’s a little homework (yes, even on the blog 😄):

📝 Write 3 sentences about your job:

What’s your job?
What do you do every day?
Do you like your job? Why or why not?

Post them in the comments — or practice with a friend!

And if you want more posts like this, subscribe to the blog for weekly lessons.

We keep it real, we keep it easy — because learning English should feel like a friendly conversation.

Till next time,
– Your English Teacher and Coach

How to Talk About Your Job in English

“So, what do you do?”

Why Is It Important to Talk About Jobs Clearly?