Work

to apply for a job/position

to make a formal request, usually written, for a job

to fill a post/position/vacancy/opening

to perform a particular job, activity, or purpose in an organization, or to find someone or something to do this

to go for/attend/have a job interview

to take part in a formal meeting at which someone is asked questions in order to find out whether they are suitable for a job

to be shortlisted for a job

to be included on a list of final candidates for an open position, from which the organization makes the final selection

to be turned down for a job

to not be accepted to perform a particular job

to gain/have qualifications

to obtain the particular level of skill or knowledge in a subject you want or need

a letter of reference(s)

a document that endorses an individual's capabilities, character traits, and the overall quality of their work written by, e.g. previous employers; letter of recommendation

to go on strike/to come out on strike/to be on strike

to refuse to continue working because of an argument with an employer about working conditions, pay levels, or job losses

to take industrial action

workers do something that is intended to force an employer to agree to something, especially by stopping work

trade unions

organizations that represents the people who work in a particular industry, protects their rights, and discusses their pay and working conditions with employers

to be on commission

to make money based on sales or services rendered

permanent/steady job

work that is likely to continue for a long time and for which you will be paid regularly

part-time job

usually considered as working fewer than 35 or 30 hours per week

to be self-employed

to work for oneself as a freelance or the owner of a business rather than for an employer

to work freelance

to do pieces of work for different organizations, rather than working all the time for a single organization

to enter the rat race

to start a job or way of life in which people compete aggressively with each other to be successful

to quit the rat race

to leave a job or way of life in which people compete aggressively with each other to be successful

to climb the corporate ladder

to advance within a company through promotions

pecking order

an informal social system in which some people or groups know they are more or less important than others, e.g. in workplaces

to reach/hit a glass ceiling

to be prevented from advancing to a top position in a company or organization; it usually happens to women and different minorities

to be fired/to be sacked/to be given the sack/to be dismissed

to be made leave the job, especially because you have done something wrong

to be made redundant

having lost your job because your employer no longer needs you

to be laid off

(about a worker) being discharged temporarily or permanently because of economic conditions or shortage of work

to resign

to give up a job or position by telling your employer that you are leaving

to hand in your notice

to tell your employer that you intend to leave your job after a particular period of time

to be unemployed/to be jobless/to be out of work

not to have a job

to be on the dole

to receive the money that the government gives to people who are unemployed

to be between jobs

not to have a job at the moment but are actively looking for one

job satisfaction

a feeling of fulfilment or enjoyment that a person derives from their job

chances of promotion

the possibility of getting a higher or more important position or rank

to be promoted/ to get a promotion

being rised to a higher or more important position or rank

working conditions

the working environment and aspects of an employee's terms and conditions of employment, e.g. training, skills and employability, safety and well-being, work-life balance

to be overworked/to be snowed under

be overwhelmed with a very large quantity of work

to be underpaid

to be paid too little money for the work sb do

to be overpaid

to be paid too much or more than usual

to work overtime

to work at hours that exceed the employee’s normally scheduled working hours

to offer somebody an incentive

to offer someone something, especially money, that encourages the person to do something

bonus

an extra amount of money given to someone as a reward for work or as encouragement

fringe benefits/perks

something that you get for working, in addition to your pay, that is not in the form of money, e.g. healthcare

flexible working hours

work scheduled at different hours than the standard 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

holiday entitlement

permission to have a holiday on a specific agreed number of days per year

pay rise

(UK) an increase in one’s salary

to be entitled to maternity/paternity leave

the possibility of being absent from work, which is due to an employee getting a child

to do/work night shifts

to work during the night (such as from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.)

antisocial hours

a working time which does not give the employees the chance to meet other people

to be stuck in a rut

to do the same old thing for too long

dead-end job

a job in which there is no chance of progressing to a better, more important job

to establish a good rapport with sb

to develop mutual trust, friendship and affinity with someone

to retire

leave one's job and cease to work, typically on reaching the normal age for leaving service

retirement

the period in someone's life after they have stopped working because of having reached a particular age

pension

an amount of money paid regularly by the government or a private company to a person who does not work any more because they are too old or have become ill

OAPs (old age pensioners)

(UK) a person who receives an old age pension from the state