Work (e.g. jobs and careers, the workplace)

1. Introduction

This unit explores the language needed to talk about jobs, careers and the workplace. It covers vocabulary, key verbs, useful grammatical structures and typical exam tasks for the Cambridge IGCSE Spanish (0530) syllabus.

2. Core \cdot ocabulary

2.1 Jobs and Professions

• el médico / la médica – doctor
• el ingeniero / la ingeniera – engineer
• el profesor / la profesora – teacher
• el camarero / la camarera – waiter / waitress
• el abogado / la abogada – lawyer
• el enfermero / la enfermera – nurse
• el arquitecto / la arquitecta – architect
• el periodista – journalist
• el programador / la programadora – programmer
• el vendedor / la vendedora – salesperson

2.2 Workplace Places and Equipment

• la oficina – office
• la fábrica – factory
• el taller – workshop
• el almacén – warehouse
• el ordenador / la computadora – computer
• el escritorio – desk
• la reunión – meeting
• el salario – salary
• el contrato – contract
• el horario – schedule

3. Verbs Related to Work

3.1 Regular Present‑Tense Conjugations

Infinitive	Yo	Él/Ella/Usted	Nosotros/as	Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes
trabajar (‑ar)	trabajo	trabaja	trabajamos	trabajan
vender (‑er)	vendo	vende	vendemos	venden
escribir (‑ir)	escribo	escribe	escribimos	escriben

3.2 Common Phrasal \cdot erbs and Expressions

• buscar trabajo – to look for a job
• postularse a un puesto – to apply for a position
• tener una entrevista – to have an interview
• ganar (un) salario – to earn a salary
• ascender – to get promoted

4. Grammar Focus

4.1 Describing a Profession

Use ser + profession (no article) for permanent roles and trabajar en + place for the location.

• Soy ingeniero. (I am an engineer.)
• Trabajo en una oficina. (I work in an office.)

4.2 Using tener for Job‑Related Phrases

• tengo un empleo a tiempo completo – I have a full‑time job
• tengo que trabajar horas extra – I have to work overtime

4.3 The Progressive Form estar + gerundio

Indicates an activity that is happening at the moment of speaking.

• Estoy atendiendo a los clientes. – I am attending to the customers.
• Están construyendo un nuevo edificio. – They are building a new building.

4.4 Comparatives for Salary and Working Conditions

• más… que – more… than (e.g., Este trabajo paga más que el anterior.)
• menos… que – less… than
• tan… como – as… as (e.g., Este puesto es tan interesante como el anterior.)

5. Sample Exam Tasks

5.1 Reading Comprehension

1. Read a short article about a young professional’s career path.
2. Answer multiple‑choice questions focusing on specific details (e.g., job title, salary, reasons for change).

5.2 Writing – Formal Letter

Task: Write a letter of application for a job advertised in a newspaper. Include:

1. Personal introduction and reason for writing.
2. Relevant qualifications and experience.
3. Motivation for applying to this company.
4. Polite closing.

5.3 Listening – Interview Simulation

Students listen to a recorded job interview and fill in a table with the speaker’s name, job title, main responsibilities and salary expectations.

5.4 Speaking – Role Play

1. Student A acts as a hiring manager; Student B is the applicant.
2. Discuss qualifications, previous experience and future career goals.
3. Switch roles after 3 minutes.

6. Useful Phrases for a Job Interview

• ¿Podría describir sus responsabilidades en su empleo anterior? – Could you describe your responsibilities in your previous job?
• Me considero una persona organizada y proactiva. – I consider myself an organized and proactive person.
• Estoy interesado/a en desarrollar mi carrera en… – I am interested in developing my career in…
• ¿Cuáles son las oportunidades de formación en la empresa? – What training opportunities does the company offer?
• Gracias por su tiempo y consideración. – Thank you for your time and consideration.

7. Job‑Search Process – Suggested Diagram

8. Revision Checklist

• Can you name at least 15 different professions in Spanish?
• Do you know how to use ser vs. trabajar en correctly?
• Can you conjugate regular -ar, -er and -ir verbs in the present tense?
• Are you comfortable with the progressive form estar + gerundio?
• Can you write a short formal letter of application (≈80‑100 words)?
• Can you role‑play a brief interview using the useful phrases provided?