Life experience (up to now): I have worked in three different industries.
Unfinished time (present relevance): I have been employed at this company since 2021 (still working).
Recent changes: She has just received a job offer. They have recently improved employee benefits.
Specific time in the past: I worked at Goldman Sachs from 2015 to 2018.
Completed action: Last year, the company hired 500 employees.
Exam context: During my apprenticeship, I learned about workplace discrimination issues.
Present Perfect markers: yet, already, since, for, recently, just, lately, ever, never
Example: I haven't received my severance pay yet.
Past Simple markers: ago, yesterday, last week, in 2020, then, when
Example: He took redundancy 3 years ago.
The nature of employment has undergone a radical transformation over the past two decades, fundamentally reshaping how individuals build career prospects and achieve job security. Traditional full-time employment, once the unquestionable norm in most developed economies, is increasingly being supplemented — and in some sectors entirely replaced — by more flexible working arrangements. This shift has profoundly affected how organisations recruit talent and how workers navigate labour markets worldwide.
The rise of remote working represents one of the most significant developments in this transformation. Enabled by technological advances, remote work has made it possible for companies to access a global workforce without geographical constraints. For employees, remote working offers considerable advantages: improved work-life balance, reduced commuting time, and the flexibility to manage both professional and personal responsibilities. However, critics contend that remote working may undermine corporate culture and diminish opportunities for collaborative learning among team members, concerns that became particularly acute during the pandemic-induced shift to virtual work.
Parallel to the rise of remote working, the gig economy has emerged as a defining feature of contemporary labour markets. Characterised by zero-hours contracts and freelance work, the gig economy offers workers unprecedented flexibility but comes with significant trade-offs. Workers in gig roles lack traditional employee benefits such as pension schemes, annual leave, and occupational health insurance — security that full-time employees take for granted. Furthermore, the gig economy has created what economists call "precarious employment", where workers face job insecurity and unstable income streams. Many gig workers find themselves underemployed, accepting positions below their skill level simply to generate income.
Automation and artificial intelligence present both opportunities and threats to employment prospects. While these technologies have eliminated many routine positions, they have simultaneously created demand for skilled workers in emerging fields. The unemployment rate in developed nations remains relatively stable, yet the composition of available roles has shifted dramatically. Workers who lack digital skills face a significant occupational hazard in an increasingly automated workplace. This has driven a renewed focus on vocational training, continuous professional development, and apprenticeships as pathways to maintaining job security and advancing career progression. Many organisations now recognise that investing in staff training and skill development is essential for building a skilled workforce.
Looking forward, the future of employment will likely involve greater diversity in working arrangements. Rather than a return to traditional full-time roles, organisations and workers will increasingly embrace hybrid models that combine elements of office-based work, remote working, and gig arrangements. This requires a fundamental reimagining of workplace practices, from how organisations conduct recruitment processes to how they design employee benefits packages. Policymakers, meanwhile, face the challenge of creating regulatory frameworks that protect workers while allowing business flexibility — a delicate balance that will define labour market stability for decades to come.
Career counsellor meeting with a job seeker
You should say:
I'd like to tell you about the job I aspire to have — an International Development Manager working for a global NGO. I've always been passionate about social enterprise, so ideally I'd want to be based in a developing nation, perhaps somewhere in Southeast Asia, where the labour market is experiencing rapid growth.
The main responsibilities would involve designing vocational training programmes for underprivileged communities, managing recruitment processes for local staff, and establishing employment opportunities that offer genuine job security. I'd essentially be building sustainable career pathways in regions where unemployment rates remain problematically high.
What appeals to me about this role is the opportunity to combine professional growth with meaningful impact. The job satisfaction would come not from a hefty salary but from knowing I'm contributing to systemic change. Additionally, this position would offer excellent career prospects — I'd develop expertise in staff training and skill development. I also suspect it would provide a better work-life balance than my current high-pressure corporate environment.
📝 Band 8: Rich vocabulary, natural collocations, sophisticated structures, genuine connection.
Some people prefer to work for themselves (self-employment) rather than work for a company or organization. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of self-employment and give your own opinion.
Write at least 250 words.
Self-employment has become increasingly attractive in today's labour market. While working independently offers advantages in autonomy and earnings, it carries substantial drawbacks that must be considered.
The primary advantages of self-employment relate to job satisfaction and unlimited career prospects. Self-employed individuals have control over work schedules, enabling superior work-life balance compared to traditional employees. Furthermore, earnings are theoretically unlimited — successful entrepreneurs accumulate wealth exceeding salaried positions. Additionally, self-employed workers escape corporate culture constraints and potential workplace discrimination.
However, self-employment carries substantial drawbacks. Most significantly, the absence of job security and traditional employee benefits is problematic. Self-employed individuals must personally fund pension schemes, health insurance, and annual leave. During economic downturns or illness, they risk near-total income loss. Furthermore, lack of structured staff training can impede skill development.
In my opinion, whilst self-employment suits entrepreneurial individuals with financial resilience, most workers benefit from stability with reputable organisations. A balanced approach involves remaining employed whilst gradually developing freelance interests, combining job security with entrepreneurial flexibility.