Vocabulary for careers and the workplace. Grammar: the present perfect — talking about experience and recent events.
Progress
0% complete
Vocabulary
Careers, the workplace, and professional life.
Career
The series of jobs someone has throughout their working life
She has had a successful career in finance.
Colleague
A person you work with
My colleagues are very supportive.
Promotion
Being moved to a higher position at work
He has just received a promotion.
Salary
The fixed monthly or annual pay for a job
They have offered her an excellent salary.
Apply for
To formally request to be considered for a job
I have applied for three jobs this week.
Interview
A formal meeting to assess a job candidate
Have you ever had a job interview?
Experience
Knowledge or skills gained through doing something
She has five years of experience in marketing.
Deadline
The latest time by which something must be done
We have already missed the deadline.
Resign
To voluntarily leave a job
He has resigned from his position.
Overtime
Extra hours worked beyond the normal schedule
She has worked a lot of overtime this month.
Unemployed
Without a paid job; looking for work
He has been unemployed for six months.
Remote work
Working from home or outside the office
They have introduced remote work options.
Vocabulary exercises
Grammar
The present perfect — have / has + past participle
We use the present perfect to talk about:
1. Life experience (at some point before now): I have visited Japan.
2. Recent events with a result now: She has just got a promotion.
3. Unfinished situations: He has worked here for ten years.
Form: subject + have/has + past participle
Form
Example
Positive (I/you/we/they)
I have applied for the job. They have finished the project.
Positive (he/she/it)
She has received a promotion. He has resigned.
Negative
I haven't heard back yet. She hasn't had an interview.
Question
Have you ever worked abroad? Has she applied?
Short answers
Yes, I have. / No, I haven't. Yes, she has. / No, she hasn't.
Key time words
ever, never, just, already, yet, recently, since, for
Use just and already in positive sentences. Use yet in questions and negatives: Have you applied yet? I haven't applied yet.
Grammar exercises
Reading
Read the article carefully, then answer the questions.
A changing career
For the past decade, the world of work has changed dramatically. Millions of people have switched careers, started their own businesses, or moved to remote work. The traditional idea of staying in the same job for life has become increasingly rare.
Sophia Martins is a good example. She trained as an engineer but has recently moved into data science. "I have always been interested in technology," she says, "but I hadn't realised how much I would enjoy working with data." She has completed three online courses and has just started her first role as a data analyst.
Career changes like Sophia's are becoming more common, particularly among younger workers. A recent survey found that 60% of people under 35 have already changed their main career at least once. Many say they left their original jobs because of low salaries, poor working conditions, or a lack of opportunities for promotion.
Experts say the rise of online learning has made career changes much more accessible. "People have never had so many options," says career coach David Owens. "You can learn almost any skill online, and employers have started to value practical experience over formal qualifications."
Comprehension questions
Writing
Guided writing task.
Task: Career paragraph
Write a paragraph (80-120 words) about your work experience or career goals. Use the present perfect at least three times.
Describe jobs you have had or skills you have developed
Mention something you have not done yet but want to do
Explain what you have learned from your experience
Use vocabulary from this unit
0 words
Model answer
I have worked in marketing for three years and have developed strong communication skills. I started in a junior role and was promoted last year after completing a qualification in digital marketing. I have not yet managed my own team, but I hope to do so soon. My current job involves writing reports, attending meetings with colleagues, and meeting tight deadlines. I have also done some remote work, which I found very productive. My long-term career goal is to become a senior manager.