Work & Studies Topic
Part 1 Questions
Short, personal questions. Answer directly, then add one extra sentence to extend your answer naturally.
1. Do you work or are you a student?
"I currently work full-time, though I was studying up until about two years ago."
2. What do you do?
"I work as a marketing coordinator for a mid-sized retail company, mostly handling social media and email campaigns."
3. Why did you choose this job?
"I have always enjoyed writing and creative work, and marketing let me combine that with something a bit more analytical, like tracking what actually works."
4. Do you enjoy your work?
"For the most part, yes. It can be repetitive sometimes, but I like that every campaign presents a slightly different challenge."
5. What do you find most challenging about it?
"Probably tight deadlines. Marketing moves quickly, so there is not always much time to plan things as carefully as I would like."
6. What are your plans for the future?
"I would like to move into a more senior role eventually, and possibly specialise further in digital strategy."
Part 2 Cue Card
You get 1 minute to prepare, then speak for up to 2 minutes.
Describe a job you would like to do in the future
You should say:
- What the job is
- What skills it requires
- How you would get this job
- And explain why you would like to do this job
Full model answer
I'd like to talk about a role I would genuinely love to move into one day, which is becoming a marketing director.
It's essentially the senior version of the job I do now - overseeing an entire marketing team, setting the overall strategy for a company's brand, and making the bigger decisions about where budget and effort should go, rather than executing individual campaigns myself. It's a role that combines creativity with leadership, which I find appealing.
In terms of skills, I think it requires quite a broad mix. You obviously need strong marketing knowledge and an understanding of data and analytics, but just as importantly, you need solid leadership and communication skills, since you would be managing a whole team and reporting directly to senior management. Confidence presenting ideas and defending decisions would also be essential, since a lot of the role involves persuading stakeholders.
As for how I would actually get there, I think it is mainly a matter of experience and results. I would need to keep proving myself in my current role, take on more responsibility whenever possible, and ideally get some formal leadership training along the way. Building a strong track record of successful campaigns would also help a lot when it comes to being considered for promotion.
The reason I would like this job is partly ambition, if I'm honest, but also because I enjoy the strategic side of marketing more than the day-to-day execution. I like thinking about the bigger picture, and I think I would find it genuinely rewarding to shape the direction of a whole team rather than just my own individual projects.
Part 3 Discussion
Deeper, more abstract questions. Give your opinion and explain your reasoning with an example.
1. What factors do people usually consider when choosing a career?
Salary is obviously a common factor, but I think interest and personal satisfaction matter just as much, if not more, in the long run. Job security, work-life balance, and opportunities for growth also play a big role, especially for younger people who are thinking long-term rather than just about their first job.
2. Do you think job satisfaction is more important than salary?
I would lean towards saying yes, at least once a person's basic needs are comfortably met. A high salary in a job you dislike tends to lead to burnout eventually, whereas genuine satisfaction keeps people motivated and productive over a much longer period, which usually benefits their career in the end anyway.
3. How is technology changing the way people work?
It has made remote and flexible work far more common, and automated a lot of repetitive tasks, which has shifted many jobs towards more strategic or creative responsibilities. At the same time, it has also increased the pace of work considerably, since people are expected to respond and adapt much faster than before.
4. Should employees be allowed to work from home?
I think it should generally be an option where the role allows for it, since it improves work-life balance and can actually increase productivity for many people. That said, some collaboration and in-person connection still matters, so a hybrid approach probably works best for most companies.
5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of working for a large company compared to a small one?
Large companies typically offer more stability, structured career progression, and better benefits, but you can sometimes feel like a small part of a big machine. Smaller companies tend to offer more variety and closer relationships with colleagues, though often with less job security and fewer resources.
6. Do you think university education is still necessary for a successful career?
It really depends on the field. For professions like medicine or law, it is obviously essential, but for many other careers, practical skills, certifications, or direct experience are becoming just as valuable, especially in areas like technology or creative industries where employers increasingly focus on demonstrated ability.
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