Job, work and career: which do I say?
Learn the difference between a job, the work you do and a long-term career.
2 min read · Updated 9/8/2026
The key idea
Job is a countable noun: a job, two jobs. It can mean a specific position or workplace.
Work, in the sense of working activity, is uncountable: some work, a lot of work. In this meaning we don't say a work.
Career is a person's professional path over the years. Your first job and your whole career are not the same thing.
Useful combinations: look for a job, work part-time, build a career, gain experience.
See an example
I have a part-time job at a café. I work there at weekends.
In the first sentence there is a specific workplace; in the second, the activity of working.
Not suitable: I have many works this week.
Correction: I have a lot of work this week.
Now you try
Correct the sentences.
- I'm looking for a work near my university.
- She has two part-time job.
Now write a sentence about your future career. Name a specific field.
A personal draft. It is not saved when you leave or automatically graded.
Reveal the answer and explanation
Answer and explanation
- I'm looking for a job near my university. You are looking for a specific workplace.
- She has two part-time jobs. After two, a plural is needed.
Example: I'd like to build a career in software development. Naming the field makes the idea more precise than just saying “good career”.
The environment: from general words to a specific idea
Official sources for this topic
Cambridge · English Grammar Today