Work and employment collocations in English

By: Collocations.org Admin
Date: 5 July 2026

English in the world of work

The workplace is one of the most important contexts in which English learners need to perform confidently. Employment collocations appear in job advertisements, interviews, performance reviews, emails, and everyday workplace conversations. Knowing the right word combinations in this domain is not just about sounding natural — it can directly affect how you are perceived professionally.

Work and employment collocations span several areas: the job search process, starting and leaving a job, workplace tasks and responsibilities, and career development. Each area has its own characteristic combinations that recur across professional contexts.

Collocations for job searching

• Apply for a job, submit an application, send a CV, write a cover letter
• Attend an interview, prepare for an interview, impress the panel, land a job
• Browse job listings, search for vacancies, use a recruitment agency
• Receive a job offer, accept a position, decline an offer, negotiate a salary
• Be shortlisted for a role, get called back, receive a rejection

Collocations for starting and leaving a job

• Start a new job, join a company, complete an induction, settle into a role
• Resign from a position, hand in your notice, serve your notice period
• Be made redundant, face redundancy, receive a severance package
• Be dismissed, face disciplinary action, receive a final warning
• Retire from a position, wind down a career, take early retirement

Collocations for workplace tasks

• Meet a deadline, manage a workload, prioritise tasks, delegate responsibilities
• Attend a briefing, contribute to a discussion, chair a meeting, take minutes
• Work independently, collaborate with colleagues, liaise with clients
• Submit a report, compile data, conduct a review, present findings

Collocations for career development

• Gain experience, build skills, develop expertise, broaden your knowledge
• Seek promotion, earn a promotion, climb the career ladder, reach a senior position
• Attend training, complete a qualification, pursue professional development
• Expand your network, build professional relationships, make useful contacts

Using workplace collocations with confidence

The best way to build your workplace vocabulary is to engage actively with professional English in your own field. Reading industry publications, listening to business podcasts, and paying close attention to the language used in meetings and emails will expose you to the collocations that are standard in your sector. The more you notice and practise these combinations, the more naturally they will come to you when you need them most.