How to talk about your job in English
I work in marketing at a small tech startup.
“I work in marketing at a small new tech company.”
When: Answering "So what do you do?"
The moment
You are grabbing coffee in the kitchen of a Brooklyn coworking space, and someone you just met asks what you do. You explain your field, what you actually handle day to day, and the part you enjoy.
B1 · Unit 1 · Work & study
The lines
I work in… at…
Americans often ask "So what do you do?" soon after meeting you. A good answer names your field and the type of place: "I work in marketing at a small tech startup." Use "in" for the field and "at" for the company. It gives the other person something to ask about.
I work in marketing at a small tech startup.
“I work in marketing at a small new tech company.”
When to use it: Answering "So what do you do?"
What you’ll hear back: Oh, cool! What kind of startup? (Nice! Tell me more about the company.)
Day to day, I'm mostly…
A job title does not say much. To show what your day really looks like, start with "Day to day" and use "mostly" with an -ing word: "Day to day, I'm mostly running our social media and talking to clients." It sounds relaxed and real, not like a job ad.
Day to day, I'm mostly running our social media and talking to clients.
“On a normal day, I mostly manage our social media and talk to clients.”
When to use it: Describing what a normal workday involves
What you’ll hear back: Sounds busy! Do you get to work from home at all?
Words for this scene
| Word or phrase | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| The best part is… | thuh BES PART iz | The thing I like most is… |
The best part is that every project is different, so I never get bored. What I like most is that each project changes, so it is always interesting. Tip: Americans like upbeat job talk; complain lightly, and never ask about salary. | ||
| I'm swamped | aim SWAHMPT | I am very, very busy. |
Sorry, I can't do lunch this week. I'm swamped with the end-of-quarter reports. Sorry, I have too much work this week to eat lunch with you. Tip: A polite, common way to say no to extra plans. | ||
| I go into the office twice a week | ai GO IN-tuh thee AW-fis TWAIS uh WEEK | Two days a week I work at the office; other days at home. |
We're hybrid, so I go into the office twice a week and work from home the rest. My job mixes office and home, so I am at the office two days a week. Tip: "Hybrid" and "remote" are everyday words at US offices now. | ||
Your objective
Explain what you do, describe two things you handle on a typical day, and say which part you enjoy most and why.
- your job or field
- a typical day
- what you enjoy and why
Lines that get it done
- We're hybrid, so I go into the office twice a week and work from home the rest. · My job mixes office and home, so I am at the office two days a week.
- Day to day, I'm mostly running our social media and talking to clients.
- The best part is that every project is different, so I never get bored. · What I like most is that each project changes, so it is always interesting.
In the live scene the objective stays on screen, and the Replay afterwards says whether you got it done.
Check yourself
1. Someone at a party asks, "So what do you do?" Which answer sounds most natural?
- I work in marketing at a small tech startup.
- I work of marketing in a small tech startup.
- I am working marketing for a small tech startup company job.
- My work is the marketing, at small tech startup.
Show the answer
I work in marketing at a small tech startup.
Use "in" for your field and "at" for the company. It is short and clear.
2. A coworker invites you to a long lunch, but you have too much work. What do you say?
- Sorry, I'm swamped this week. Maybe next week?
- Sorry, I'm swimming this week. Maybe next week?
- Sorry, I'm very full of work. Maybe next week?
- Sorry, I have many busy. Maybe next week?
Show the answer
Sorry, I'm swamped this week. Maybe next week?
"I'm swamped" means you are very busy. Adding "Maybe next week?" keeps it friendly.
3. Someone asks what a normal day at your job is like. Which answer works best?
- Day to day, I'm mostly running our social media and talking to clients.
- Day by day, I mostly run social media and talk clients.
- Every day to day, I am mostly to run our social media.
- In the days, I'm mostly social media and clients.
Show the answer
Day to day, I'm mostly running our social media and talking to clients.
"Day to day" means "in a normal day." After "I'm mostly" use the -ing form, and say "talking to" people.