[VOCAB BANK] Work, Career, Business, and the Economy

Quick upgrade ladders across common IELTS themes

workload

My workload is heavy at the end of each month

amount of work

job satisfaction

Flexible hours can improve job satisfaction

how happy someone is with their job

career path

I’m still figuring out my career path

long-term direction of a career

take responsibility

Good employees take responsibility for mistakes

accept duty for something

meet expectations

The new system did not meet expectations

perform at the required level

teamwork

Teamwork is essential in project-based jobs

working effectively with others

time management

Time management is one of the skills I want to strengthen

organising time well

problem-solving

The role requires strong problem-solving skills

finding solutions to difficulties

professional development

The company supports professional development

improving work-related skills

work-life balance

Remote work can improve work-life balance for some people

balance between job and personal life

promotion

She earned a promotion after leading a successful campaign

move to a higher position

competitive salary

A competitive salary attracts skilled workers

good salary compared with others

work under pressure

I can work under pressure when I prepare in advance

perform well in stressful conditions

customer satisfaction

Customer satisfaction dropped after delivery delays

how happy customers are

long-term goal

One of my long-term goals is to manage my own team

goal for the future

job security

Workers value job security just as much as a high income

certainty of keeping employment

unemployment

The government is introducing training programs to combat youth unemployment

state of being jobless

labour market

The modern labour market highly values tech-related skills

total number of available workers and jobs

income inequality

Tax reforms are needed to address growing income inequality

unfair distribution of wealth

consumer spending

High consumer spending usually stimulates the domestic retail sector

amount of money spent by households

productivity

Introducing automated software significantly increased workplace productivity

efficiency of work output

entrepreneurship

The city created innovation hubs to support local entrepreneurship

starting and running businesses

public expenditure

Infrastructure development requires a huge amount of public expenditure

government spending on services

economic growth

Low corporate taxes can help accelerate a nation's economic growth

increase in a country's wealth output

cost of living

Many young professionals struggle with the high cost of living in major cities

amount of money needed for basic expenses

hire

The company plans to hire ten new developers next quarter

employ someone for a job

fire

Management had to fire the employee for repeated safety violations

dismiss someone from employment

recruit

Agencies help large corporations recruit top talent from across the globe

look for qualified people to employ

retain staff

Offering regular bonuses is a proven way to retain staff

keep employees within the organization

earn a living

He works two freelance jobs to earn a living in London

make enough money to survive

boost productivity

Flexible work hours have been shown to boost productivity among remote teams

increase work output efficiency

stimulate demand

Lower interest rates help to stimulate demand for housing loans

encourage people to buy things

invest in

The firm decided to invest in eco-friendly technology

put money into something for profit

cut costs

The factory introduced automation to cut costs and maximize profits

reduce spending

face unemployment

Thousands of manufacturing workers face unemployment due to factory closures

experience losing a job

unemployed

The government provides financial assistance to unemployed individuals

being without a job

low-paid

Many essential service workers remain stuck in low-paid positions

receiving small wages

financially secure

Saving money early in life helps you become financially secure in old age

having stable and reliable wealth

labour-intensive

Agriculture in developing regions remains a highly labour-intensive industry

requiring a large amount of physical work

cost-effective

Switching to LED lighting is a cost-effective choice for large offices

producing good results without costing too much

competitive

The company offers competitive packages to attract skilled managers

matching or beating rivals

profitable

The software startup became highly profitable within its first year

yielding financial gain

economically viable

Building a subway system is only economically viable in heavily populated cities

capable of being financially successful

career prospects

Earning a master's degree can greatly enhance your long-term career prospects

chances for future job success

minimum wage

Activists are campaigning to raise the national minimum wage

lowest legal pay rate

small business owner

As a small business owner, she manages both finances and marketing

person running a modest company

living costs

Rent makes up the largest portion of monthly living costs for students

expenses needed to day-to-day survive

workforce participation

Remote work options have helped increase female workforce participation

rate of people actively working

economic downturn

Many small retailers went bankrupt during the recent economic downturn

period of financial decline

financial pressure

High inflation rates place massive financial pressure on low-income families

stress caused by lack of money

job satisfaction

Good workplace relationships are key to maintaining high job satisfaction

happiness derived from work

market demand

The factory increased production to meet rising market demand for electric vehicles

customer desire for a product

workplace culture

A supportive workplace culture encourages open communication and collaboration

shared values and behaviors in an office