Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

“Careers” ESL Discussion Questions

I. Choosing a Career
1. What factors are most important when choosing a career?
2. How do you know if a career is right for you?
3. Should passion or salary be more important in choosing a career?
4. How do people learn about different careers?
5. Can a person have more than one career in their life?

II. Education and Careers
6. What kind of education is needed for your dream job?
7. Do all careers require a college degree?
8. How does education affect career opportunities?
9. Should students work while studying?
10. How important are internships for starting a career?

III. Job Searching
11. What are the best ways to look for a job?
12. How important is a resume or CV in finding a job?
13. What role does networking play in job searching?
14. Should you apply for jobs even if you don’t meet all the requirements?
15. How do you prepare for a job interview?

IV. Working Life
16. What is a typical day like in your job?
17. How do you achieve work-life balance?
18. What are the biggest challenges in your job?
19. How important is it to like your coworkers?
20. What do you do if you don’t like your job?

V. Career Advancement
21. How do you ask for a promotion?
22. What are some ways to improve your skills at work?
23. Is it important to have a mentor in your career?
24. How can you make a positive impression on your boss?
25. What are the benefits of changing jobs every few years?

VI. Work Culture and Environment
26. How does company culture affect your work?
27. What makes a good work environment?
28. How do you deal with conflict at work?
29. What are the benefits of working in teams?
30. How does remote work change the work culture?

VII. Salaries and Benefits
31. How do you negotiate your salary?
32. What are some common benefits provided by employers?
33. How does salary impact job satisfaction?
34. Should companies offer flexible working hours?
35. How do you ask for a raise?

VIII. Career Changes
36. Why do people change careers?
37. How do you know when it’s time to change careers?
38. What are the risks of changing careers?
39. How do you start a new career?
40. Can volunteering help in changing careers?

IX. Entrepreneurship
41. What are the benefits of starting your own business?
42. What are the biggest challenges in entrepreneurship?
43. How important is it to have a business plan?
44. Can anyone be an entrepreneur?
45. What role does failure play in entrepreneurship?

X. Future of Work
46. How will technology change careers in the future?
47. What careers might disappear in the future?
48. What skills will be most important in the future?
49. How can workers prepare for the future of work?
50. What role will artificial intelligence play in the workplace?

XI. Work-Life Balance
51. How do you manage stress from work?
52. What hobbies help with work-life balance?
53. How important are vacations for work-life balance?
54. Can working from home improve work-life balance?
55. What strategies help in maintaining a healthy work-life balance?

XII. Global Careers
56. What are the benefits of working in a foreign country?
57. How do you adapt to a new work culture?
58. What challenges do expatriates face?
59. How does working abroad impact your career?
60. What advice would you give someone considering a global career?

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