Vocabulary: Thematic & Topical Vocabulary (B2) - Lesson 2: Work & Careers

Lesson 2: Work & Careers

From Getting a Job to Building a Career

You already know how to talk about your **job**. But what is the difference between a job and a **career**? A career¹ is the long-term journey of your professional life, made up of many different jobs. At the B2 level, it's important to have the vocabulary to discuss your career path, your skills², and your professional goals.

Getting a Job

to apply (for)3	ដាក់ពាក្យ	To make a formal request for a job. Example: "I'm going to apply for that new position."
resumé / CV4	ប្រវត្តិរូបសង្ខេប	A document showing your education and work experience. Example: "Please send your resumé to the HR department."
interview5	បទសម្ភាសន៍	A formal meeting to see if you are suitable for a job. Example: "My job interview is on Friday."
qualifications6	កម្រិតវប្បធម៌	Exams you have passed or courses you have completed. Example: "Do you have the necessary qualifications?"

On The Job

to be promoted7	ត្រូវបានតំឡើងឋានៈ	To be given a higher or more important job. Example: "She **was promoted** to manager."
salary8	ប្រាក់ខែ	A fixed amount of money you earn each month or year. Example: "The job is interesting, but the salary is not high."
to resign / to quit9	លាលែង	To officially leave your job. 'Quit' is more informal. Example: "He decided to resign from his position."

Usage Note: Job vs. Work vs. Career

These three words are related but different. This is a key B1 distinction.

• Job (countable noun): A specific paid position.
  "I am looking for a job." "He has two jobs."
• Work (uncountable noun): The general activity you do to earn money.
  "I have a lot of work to do." "I go to work at 8 AM." (We do not say 'a work').
• Career (countable noun): Your long-term professional journey over many years.
  "He has a successful career in banking."

In Conversation

Srey and Bora are discussing Bora's future plans.

Bora: Srey, I'm thinking about my career. I've been in this job for three years, and I need a new challenge.

Srey: So, are you looking for a new position?

Bora: Yes, I saw an interesting advertisement. I'm going to apply for it today. I need to update my resumé.

Srey: What are the qualifications they are looking for?

Bora: They want someone with management experience and good communication skills. If I get an interview, I'll have to practice my answers.

Srey: I'm sure you will do well. Is the salary better?

Bora: Yes, much better. I hope if I get this job, I can be promoted within a few years. I don't want to resign from my current company, but it's time for a change.

quiz Check Your Understanding

1. Your long-term professional journey is called your ______.

• a) job
• b) work
• c) career

Click to see the answer

Answer: c) career

2. Before you get a job, you usually have to send your ______ and have an ______.

• a) salary / interview
• b) resumé / interview
• c) skills / salary

Click to see the answer

Answer: b) resumé / interview

3. Which sentence is grammatically correct?

• a) I have a lot of works to do.
• b) I have a work to do.
• c) I have a lot of work to do.

Click to see the answer

Answer: c) I have a lot of work to do. ('Work' is usually uncountable).

edit Your Mission

1. My Career: Write two sentences about your career goals. (e.g., "I want a career in education. I hope to be promoted to a head teacher one day.")
2. My Skills: What professional skills do you have? List three of them. (e.g., computer skills, language skills, communication skills).
3. Speak: Your mission is to ask a friend who has a job, "What are the most important skills for your job?"

book Lesson Glossary

1. Career (noun) - Khmer: អាជីព - The long-term journey of a person's professional life. ↩
2. Skills (noun) - Khmer: ជំនាញ - The ability to do something well. ↩
3. to apply (for) (verb) - Khmer: ដាក់ពាក្យ - To make a formal request for a job. ↩
4. resumé / CV (noun) - Khmer: ប្រវត្តិរូបសង្ខេប - A document showing your education and work experience. ↩
5. interview (noun) - Khmer: បទសម្ភាសន៍ - A formal meeting for a job. ↩
6. qualifications (noun) - Khmer: កម្រិតវប្បធម៌ - Your exams and courses passed. ↩
7. to be promoted (verb phrase) - Khmer: ត្រូវបានតំឡើងឋានៈ - To be given a higher-level job. ↩
8. salary (noun) - Khmer: ប្រាក់ខែ - A fixed amount of money you earn from a job. ↩
9. to resign / to quit (verb) - Khmer: លាលែង - To officially leave your job. ↩