Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

“Getting a Job” ESL Discussion Questions

I. Job Search

1. Where can you look for a job?
2. How do you know if a job is right for you?
3. What kind of job would you like to have?
4. Is it easy to find a job in your country?
5. What tools or websites are helpful when looking for a job?

II. Applications and Resumes

6. What information do you put in a resume?
7. Why is a cover letter important?
8. How can you make your application stand out?
9. Have you ever asked someone to help with your resume?
10. What skills are employers looking for?

III. Job Interviews

11. How do you prepare for a job interview?
12. What kind of questions do they ask in an interview?
13. What should you wear to a job interview?
14. How do you answer if you don’t know something in an interview?
15. Have you ever had a difficult interview?

IV. Types of Employment

16. What is the difference between full-time and part-time work?
17. Would you prefer to work on a contract or as a permanent staff member?
18. What does it mean to work freelance?
19. Can you explain what self-employment is?
20. What are the benefits of each type of employment?

V. First Day at a New Job

21. What should you do on your first day at a new job?
22. How do you introduce yourself to new colleagues?
23. What is important to learn in the first week?
24. How can you make a good impression on your boss?
25. Have you ever felt nervous on your first day?

VI. Working Environment

26. What makes a good working environment?
27. How important is it to have friends at work?
28. What would you do if you didn’t like your job?
29. How can you deal with difficult coworkers?
30. What do you expect from a good manager?

VII. Career Development

31. How can you advance in your career?
32. Why is networking important for getting a job?
33. What are some ways to improve your job skills?
34. Have you thought about changing careers?
35. What is professional development?

VIII. Salary and Benefits

36. How do you negotiate a salary?
37. What are some common job benefits?
38. Why is it important to save money from your salary?
39. How often do people usually get paid in your country?
40. What would you do if you were not paid on time?

IX. Work-Life Balance

41. How can you balance work with your personal life?
42. Why is work-life balance important?
43. What do you do to relax after work?
44. How many hours should people work each week?
45. Can a job affect your health?

X. Leaving a Job

46. How do you know when it’s time to leave a job?
47. What is the proper way to resign from a job?
48. What are the consequences of getting fired?
49. How can you explain job gaps in your resume?
50. What should you do after you leave a job?

XI. Job Satisfaction

51. What makes you happy at work?
52. How do you deal with stress at work?
53. What are the signs of job burnout?
54. How important is it to have a job you love?
55. Can a job be fun?

XII. Future of Jobs

56. What jobs do you think will be important in the future?
57. How might technology change jobs?
58. What skills will be important for future jobs?
59. How can you prepare for future changes in employment?
60. Do you think more people will work from home in the future?