Work and Careers
Work and Careers
This topic covers part-time jobs, work experience, and career ambitions — essential for writing and speaking.
Jobs and Professions
| French | English | French | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| un médecin | a doctor | un(e) infirmier/-ière | a nurse |
| un(e) avocat(e) | a lawyer | un(e) comptable | an accountant |
| un ingénieur | an engineer | un(e) informaticien(ne) | an IT specialist |
| un(e) professeur(e) | a teacher | un(e) journaliste | a journalist |
| un(e) architecte | an architect | un(e) dentiste | a dentist |
| un(e) vétérinaire | a vet | un(e) pharmacien(ne) | a pharmacist |
| un(e) cuisinier/-ière | a cook/chef | un(e) serveur/-euse | a waiter/waitress |
| un plombier | a plumber | un(e) électricien(ne) | an electrician |
| un(e) coiffeur/-euse | a hairdresser | un(e) mécanicien(ne) | a mechanic |
| un homme/une femme d'affaires | a businessman/woman | un(e) fonctionnaire | a civil servant |
| un pompier | a firefighter | un(e) policier/-ière | a police officer |
Note: Many French job titles now have feminine forms — using them shows awareness of evolving language.
Part-time Jobs and Work Experience
| French | English |
|---|---|
| un petit boulot / un job | a part-time job |
| un emploi à temps partiel / à temps plein | a part-time / full-time job |
| un stage (en entreprise) | work experience / an internship |
| faire un stage | to do work experience |
| travailler comme caissier/-ière | to work as a cashier |
| distribuer des journaux | to deliver newspapers |
| faire du baby-sitting | to babysit |
| gagner (de l'argent de poche) | to earn (pocket money) |
| le salaire / le SMIC | salary / minimum wage |
| postuler / poser sa candidature | to apply |
| un CV | a CV |
| une lettre de motivation | a cover letter |
| un entretien (d'embauche) | a (job) interview |
| être embauché(e) / licencié(e) | to be hired / fired |
Workplace Vocabulary
| French | English |
|---|---|
| un bureau | an office |
| une usine | a factory |
| un magasin | a shop |
| un hôpital | a hospital |
| un chantier | a building site |
| en plein air | outdoors |
| les heures de travail | working hours |
| le patron / la patronne | the boss |
| un(e) collègue | a colleague |
| un(e) client(e) | a customer |
| le télétravail | working from home |
Model Responses
Part-time work:
- Le samedi, je travaille dans un supermarché comme caissier. Je gagne huit livres de l'heure. C'est fatigant mais ça me permet d'économiser de l'argent. — On Saturdays, I work in a supermarket as a cashier. I earn eight pounds an hour. It's tiring but it allows me to save money.
Work experience:
- J'ai fait un stage dans un cabinet d'avocats pendant une semaine. C'était très intéressant et j'ai appris beaucoup de choses sur le monde du travail. — I did work experience at a law firm for a week. It was very interesting and I learned a lot about the world of work.
Career ambitions:
- Plus tard, je voudrais devenir médecin parce que je veux aider les gens. Il faudra étudier pendant plusieurs années, mais ça en vaut la peine. — Later, I would like to become a doctor because I want to help people. I will have to study for several years, but it's worth it.
- Mon rêve serait de créer ma propre entreprise dans le domaine de la technologie. — My dream would be to start my own business in the tech industry.
What matters in a job:
- Pour moi, le plus important dans un métier, c'est la satisfaction personnelle — l'argent n'est pas tout. — For me, the most important thing in a job is personal satisfaction — money isn't everything.
- Je cherche un emploi qui me permette de voyager et de rencontrer des gens. — I'm looking for a job that allows me to travel and meet people. (subjunctive — Grade 9!)
Exam Tips
- Learn jobs in both masculine and feminine forms — this is tested in reading and shows grammatical awareness in writing.
- Devenir + job (no article): Je veux devenir médecin (not "un médecin").
- This topic combines naturally with school/future plans — prepare a flowing response that covers both.
- For writing: include work experience (past), current part-time job (present), and career ambitions (future/conditional) — three time frames covered.
- In role play, you might need to enquire about a job, discuss hours, or describe your skills.