IELTS Writing Task 2 work questions: ideas, vocabulary and a model essay
Work and career questions ask about job satisfaction, salaries, remote work, retirement, unemployment and how technology is changing employment. They suit examples from your own experience or people you know, as long as you keep them brief.
Updated 2026-10-23
Common work themes
- Career choices: staying in one job vs changing, large vs small companies, self-employment
- Motivation: salary vs job satisfaction, what makes a good employer
- Ways of working: remote work, four-day weeks, flexible hours
- Society: youth unemployment, retirement age, equal pay
- Change: automation, skills shortages, retraining
Topic vocabulary
| Word or phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| job satisfaction | enjoying and feeling fulfilled by work | Job satisfaction matters more than salary to many people. |
| career progression | moving to higher positions | Small firms may offer limited career progression. |
| job security | confidence of keeping a job | Permanent contracts provide job security. |
| transferable skills | skills useful in many jobs | Communication is a transferable skill. |
| flexible working | choosing when or where to work | Flexible working helps parents. |
| burnout | exhaustion caused by work stress | Long hours lead to burnout. |
| retrain | learn skills for a new job | Workers must retrain as industries change. |
| self-employed | working for yourself | More people are becoming self-employed. |
| productivity | how much work is done | Shorter weeks can raise productivity. |
| youth unemployment | joblessness among young people | Youth unemployment is high in many regions. |
| a skills shortage | not enough qualified workers | There is a skills shortage in nursing. |
| work-life balance | time for work and private life | Remote work can improve work-life balance. |
10 work questions to practise
- Some people think it is better to stay in one job for a long time, while others believe it is better to change jobs often. Discuss both views and give your opinion. (discussion; model essay below)
- Job satisfaction is more important than a high salary. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (opinion)
- More people are working from home. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? (advantages and disadvantages)
- Many young people cannot find work after leaving school or university. What are the causes, and what can be done? (problem and solution)
- The retirement age should be raised as people live longer. Do you agree or disagree? (opinion)
- Some companies are introducing a four-day working week. Is this a positive or negative development? (advantages and disadvantages)
- Some people prefer to work for a large company; others prefer a small business. Discuss the advantages of both and give your opinion. (discussion)
- Women and men should be paid the same for the same work, but in many places they are not. Why is this, and how can it be changed? (two-part)
- Unpaid internships are unfair to young people from poorer families. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (opinion)
- Machines are replacing many workers. What problems does this cause, and what can governments do? (problem and solution)
Ideas for the most common questions
Salary or job satisfaction?
| Satisfaction matters more | Salary matters more |
|---|---|
| People spend most of their waking hours at work | A good salary pays for housing, family and security |
| Unhappy workers suffer stress and burnout | Satisfaction is a luxury for those already earning enough |
| Motivated workers perform better and progress faster | Money buys freedom and satisfaction outside work |
Working from home: good or bad?
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| No commute saves time, money and emissions | Isolation and weaker relationships with colleagues |
| Easier to combine with childcare | Harder for new staff to learn from experienced ones |
| Companies can hire talent from anywhere | Work and home life blur, leading to longer hours |
Raise the retirement age?
| For | Against |
|---|---|
| People live and stay healthy longer | Physically demanding jobs are hard for older workers |
| Pensions are expensive for a shrinking workforce | Older workers may block jobs for the young |
| Many older people want to stay active | Retirement is a reward people have earned |
Band 9 model essay
Question: Some people think it is better to stay in one job for a long time, while others believe it is better to change jobs often. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
In the past, many people spent their entire career with a single employer, but today it is common to change jobs every few years. Both approaches have their supporters, and while each has merits, I believe that changing jobs from time to time is generally the better choice in today's economy.
Those who favour staying in one job emphasise security and depth of experience. An employee who remains with one organisation for many years becomes an expert in its systems and builds strong relationships with colleagues and clients, which often leads to promotion and greater responsibility. Long service can also bring benefits such as a better pension, and it spares people the stress of repeatedly applying for jobs and adapting to new workplaces.
On the other hand, people who change jobs regularly argue that it helps them develop faster. Each new role brings new challenges, skills and contacts, so a person who has worked for three different companies often has a broader range of experience than someone who has done the same job for a decade. Moving is also frequently the quickest way to secure a higher salary, because employers often pay more to attract new staff than they offer to keep existing ones.
In my opinion, the second approach suits modern working life better. Industries now change so quickly that skills learned in one organisation can soon become outdated, and few companies can promise lifelong employment anyway. Changing jobs every few years keeps workers adaptable and employable. However, moving too often can look unreliable to employers, so the ideal is to stay long enough in each role to achieve something meaningful.
In conclusion, although long service offers stability and expertise, I believe that changing jobs periodically, but not constantly, is the wiser strategy for most workers today.
Word count: 298
Why this essay works
Each view gets a full, fair paragraph with reasons and consequences. The opinion paragraph gives a reason linked to the modern economy and then limits its own claim ("periodically, but not constantly"), which shows mature judgement. See the discussion essay guide.
Related practice
- Technology questions, for automation and remote work
- Education questions, for skills and training
- Reading passages on business: IELTS Reading business topic
Frequently asked questions
What work topics come up in IELTS Writing?
Job satisfaction versus salary, working from home, changing jobs, retirement age, unemployment among young people, automation, gender equality at work, and work-life balance.
Can I use personal experience in a work essay?
Yes, briefly. A one-sentence example such as 'a friend of mine doubled her salary by moving companies twice' can support a point, but the essay should still argue generally.