Collocations with Job (Part 1)

In this lesson, we will focus on different ways to talk about your job. 

Let's look at some adjectives that are used to talk about a job. They have a positive meaning and are used when people are satisfied and happy with their job. 

ADJECTIVES WITH A POSITIVE MEANING

decent, good | worthwhile, interesting | plum 

Decent means that something is good and of good enough standard or quality. 
Worthwhile means that something is enjoyable, interesting and worth spending time, money or effort on. 
When a job is plum, it is considered very good and worth having. 

Examples: 

• It's a decent job. = It's a good job. 
• It's a worthwhile job. = It's an interesting job. 
• She got a plum job at the BBC. OR She landed a plum job at the BBC. 

cushy 

Cushy means that the job is very easy and pleasant. It needs little or no effort. 

Example:  

• He found a cushy job in the office, with almost nothing to do and a great salary. 

dream | ideal 

Examples: 

• Do you have a dream job? 
• What would be your ideal job? 
• This job is ideal for business graduates. (= People with a degree in Business.) 

ADJECTIVES WITH A NEGATIVE MEANING

​boring, dead-end, undemanding 

When a job is boring, it is not interesting. 
A dead-end job is one that doesn't provide you with a chance of getting a better job or promotion. 
When a job is undemanding, it means that it doesn't need a lot of effort and you don't have to work hard. 

Examples:  

• a boring job 
• He's in a dead-end job in a local company. (= with low salary and no chance of promotion) 
• Despite having a degree in advertising, she got stuck in a dead-end job at an insurance company. 
• a very undemanding job 

​MORE ADJECTIVES 

challenging, demanding, difficult 

When a job is challenging, it is difficult but in a way that tests your ability and determination.
At the same time, it is interesting and enjoyable to do. 
A demanding job means that it needs a lot of time, attention or energy. The work is difficult and it makes you tired. 

Examples: 

• I have been working for the same company for six year. I think it's time for me to find a more challenging job and look for other opportunities. I want to work for an international company. 
• She's hoping to find a job which is more demanding intellectually. 
• Office work can be demanding and stressful sometimes. 

regular | steady 

A regular job means that you are working during the normal working hours. You work a certain number of hours every week and this job continues for a long time. 
A steady job is likely to continue for a long time. It means that you won't have to look for another job because it is a secure job and you are likely to keep it for years. You will be paid regularly. 

Examples: 

• It's a regular 9-to-5 job. 
• He gave up freelancing and got a regular job. 
• It wasn't easy to find a steady job in the city. 
• Having a steady job will help you when applying for a loan. 

TASK:
What do you do? What adjectives from this lesson best describe your job? Write them down in a notebook and practise making complete sentences. 


Other lessons: 
Collocations with Job (Part 2) 
Business English: Working in an office 
Business English: How to Talk about Your Job Responsibilities 
English Lesson: Jobs and Skills 
English Lesson: Collocations for Success 
English Lesson: Collocations for Feelings 
Commonly Used Phrases in Spoken English 

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