job watching

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "job watching" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of observing job opportunities or monitoring job openings in a particular field or industry. Example: "After being laid off, I started job watching to find new opportunities that match my skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

An employer fired Mr. Devoureau because it said only a man was allowed to do his job: watching men urinate into plastic cups at a drug treatment center.

The New York Times

But now, any viewer can simulate the best part of a top telly job: watching a bunch of pilots and deciding which should fly.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I knew that Ishii had put a lot of preparation into his job, watching family movies to learn how "a kind father" would walk, talk, and eat.

The New Yorker

Coaches are at the mercy of their players, and this must be the worst part of the job: watching helplessly as one perfectly conceived play after another springs imperfectly, sometimes disastrously, to life.

The New Yorker

Instead, I spent my first days on the job watching my predecessor define the term "multitask" (now understood to mean "continuous data entry into multiple, incompatible computer systems, while answering phones and greeting the public") thus demonstrating a woeful paradox.

The New York Times

Instead, she spent the next decade or so angling to direct her second screenplay, "Something to Talk About" (Lasse Hallstrom got the job), watching movie deals fall apart and making money doctoring scripts that kept her pigeonholed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Jefferson County, which includes Birmingham, could be compared to a person who has lost his job, watched his retirement investments evaporate and is stuck with a house that is worth less than what he owes the bank.

The New York Times

McInnes, who is to be interviewed for the vacant Bristol City job, watched on as Francisco Sandaza fired the hosts in front on 12 minutes.

BBC

It was another worrying result for Tangerines boss Ian Holloway who, after denying speculation linking him with the vacant Blackburn job, watched his side slip to a fourth defeat in their last five games.

BBC

To hear more about Gere's first job, watch the video above.

Huffington Post

But today's man has a lousy job, watches too much cable and still can't even scramble an egg.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a proactive approach to finding employment, use "job watching" to highlight continuous monitoring rather than a one-time search. For example, "After graduation, she dedicated her time to "job watching", regularly checking industry-specific boards."

Common error

Avoid using "job watching" to describe simply being aware of job postings. The term implies an active and ongoing process of monitoring the job market.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "job watching" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It typically describes the activity of actively monitoring the job market or specific job postings. As shown by Ludwig, it suggests a continuous action of observing available job opportunities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "job watching" is a grammatically correct gerund phrase that describes the act of actively monitoring job opportunities, as confirmed by Ludwig. While less common than alternatives like "job hunting" or "job searching", it emphasizes continuous observation. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase is generally neutral in register. Ludwig suggests that "job watching" should be used to highlight continuous monitoring rather than a one-time search. When in doubt, consider more common alternatives for clarity and broader understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

monitoring job listings

Focuses on the act of observing job postings, specifying the type of observation.

observing job openings

Similar to monitoring, but emphasizes the visual aspect of noticing available positions.

tracking employment opportunities

Emphasizes the systematic follow-up of available positions.

scanning job market

Implies a broader search across the entire job landscape.

keeping an eye on job postings

More informal way to express monitoring.

job hunting

A common term for actively seeking employment.

job searching

General term for looking for a job.

career watching

Implies monitoring career paths, not necessarily immediate job openings.

scouting for jobs

Suggests an active search, often for specific or hidden opportunities.

following job trends

Focuses on observing the overall direction of the job market.

FAQs

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

You can use "job watching" to describe the act of actively monitoring job opportunities, such as, "After the company downsized, he began "job watching" to identify potential new roles".

What's a more common alternative to "job watching"?

While "job watching" is understandable, more common alternatives include "job hunting" or "job searching", which are widely recognized and used.

Is "job watching" more formal or informal?

"Job watching" leans toward the neutral side, but "monitoring job listings" might be more suitable in formal contexts, while "keeping an eye on job postings" can be used in more informal situations.

How does "job watching" differ from "job shadowing"?

"Job watching" involves observing job postings and opportunities, whereas "job shadowing" is a form of on-the-job learning where you observe a professional in their daily work routine.