Between jobs

USAGE SUMMARY

"between jobs" is a grammatically correct phrase and is commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe periods of time when someone is not currently employed but is actively seeking or transitioning to a new job. Example: "John was between jobs for three months before he landed a position at the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Between jobs, Mr. Hart traveled to Washington, where he has family.

The New York Times

Between jobs and school and sports and homework, convenience matters.

Huffington Post

BRODSKY: I worked in between jobs.

The New Yorker

That night she was between jobs.

The New York Times - Magazine

Rushing between jobs can affect mental wellbeing.

The Guardian

Or "between jobs," as McKeon said.

The New York Times - Sports

I know they know I'm between jobs.

The New Yorker

"My dad keeps going in between jobs.

The Guardian

Others are temporarily uninsured because they're between jobs.

The New York Times

"When we had Xavier my husband was in between jobs.

The Guardian - Money

He bounced between jobs in high school and college.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "between jobs", clarify the context if necessary. For example, specify whether the person is actively seeking a new job or taking a break before starting a new one.

Common error

Be mindful that "between jobs" can sometimes imply a voluntary break or sabbatical, not necessarily unemployment. If you specifically mean unemployment, consider using that term to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "between jobs" functions as a prepositional phrase that often acts as an adjective, describing someone's employment status. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, demonstrating that it typically refers to a period of unemployment or transition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "between jobs" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a period of unemployment or transition between employment positions. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is most frequently found in news and media sources but is also present in scientific and formal business contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it is important to consider the specific context to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "unemployed" or "seeking employment" may be more appropriate depending on the intended meaning. Be mindful that "between jobs" can sometimes refer to a voluntary break, not necessarily an unwanted period of unemployment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Unemployed

More direct and less idiomatic.

In transition

More general; applies to situations beyond just employment.

Out of work

Simple and direct.

Between positions

More formal alternative.

Seeking employment

Emphasizes the active search for work.

Looking for work

Informal and emphasizes the search activity.

Currently unemployed

Adds emphasis to the present state.

Jobless

A concise, sometimes negative, term.

Taking time off

More general; could be for reasons other than unemployment.

Gap year

Typically refers to students. A semantic transformation is present.

FAQs

What does "between jobs" mean?

The phrase "between jobs" generally means that someone is currently not employed but is typically seeking new employment.

How can I use "between jobs" in a sentence?

You can say, "After leaving her last company, she was "between jobs" for several months before finding a new position".

What are some alternatives to saying "between jobs"?

Alternatives include "unemployed", "seeking employment", or "in transition", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "between jobs" in formal writing?

Yes, "between jobs" is generally acceptable in formal writing, although more formal alternatives like "between positions" might be preferred in some contexts.