former job

USAGE SUMMARY

'former job' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to refer to a job that you or someone else used to be employed in, but no longer holds. For example, "My former job was at a marketing firm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"It was totally different from my former job.

The New York Times - Sports

He admired Sam & as Sam moved up the ladder he filled Sam's former job.

The New Yorker

He had also given her a chance to return to her former job.

The New York Times

Amos's former job as head of humanitarian affairs is regarded as a British fiefdom.

The Guardian

Todd Thomson, whom she replaces, dropped a rung to take her former job as head of Citigroup's investment-banking arm.

The Economist

Mr. Reyes, 38, registered for a cabby license after the severance from his former job ran out.

The New York Times

The last was in reference to his former job as a pest controller.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Paul will get back to his former job, namely making children laugh".

The Guardian - Sport

Harvey resumed his former job as Kendall's assistant for three more years until 1993.

The Guardian - Sport

A former defense minister, Michèle Alliot-Marie, was given Mr. Sarkozy's former job at the Interior Ministry.

The New York Times

Considering his former job, and the layers of lies that make up the novel, is Searle himself a good liar?

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "former job" when you want to clearly and concisely refer to a past employment situation. It's suitable for most contexts, balancing formality and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "former job" when you actually mean the current position. Double-check the context to ensure you're referring to a role that is no longer held.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "former job" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig's examples illustrate its role in providing context about a person's past employment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "former job" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase for referring to past employment. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. It maintains a neutral to professional tone, making it appropriate for news, business, and general discussions. While synonyms like "previous position" or "past employment" exist, "former job" strikes a balance between clarity and formality for many situations. Remember to ensure you're accurately referencing a past role, and consider the context to choose the most suitable alternative when necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous position

Emphasizes the role or rank held, rather than just the employment itself.

previous role

Focuses on the duties and responsibilities held.

past employment

Highlights the state of being employed in the past, more formal.

old job

More informal and direct way of referring to a previous job.

earlier occupation

Highlights the type of work done in the past, more formal.

prior work

General reference to work done before the present.

preceding employment

Formal and emphasizes the chronological order of employment.

past career

Suggests a broader scope than just a single job.

once held position

Emphasizes the act of holding a position that is now no longer held.

bygone occupation

A more archaic and literary way to refer to a previous job.

FAQs

How can I use "former job" in a sentence?

You can use "former job" to refer to a past employment, such as "My skills from my "previous job" helped me succeed in my current role."

What's a more formal way to say "former job"?

For a more formal alternative, consider using "previous position" or "past employment". These options add a touch of professionalism, especially in formal documents or conversations.

Is it okay to use "old job" instead of "former job"?

While "old job" is understandable, it's more informal. "Former job" is generally preferred for professional contexts, while "old job" might be suitable in casual conversation.

What's the difference between "former job" and "previous role"?

"Former job" refers to the overall employment, while "previous role" emphasizes the specific set of responsibilities you had. Use "previous role" when you want to focus on what you did rather than just where you worked.