looking for a job

USAGE SUMMARY

'looking for a job' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when talking about someone who is searching for employment. For example, "Mary has been looking for a job for the past two months but has had no luck."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I'm not looking for a job.

The New York Times

I'm just looking for a job.

The New York Times

"And Herman's just looking for a job".

The New Yorker

"I'm looking for a job," he said.

The New York Times

No, I'm not looking for a job.

The New York Times

He was looking for a job.

The New York Times

He is also looking for a job.

The New York Times - Sports

"I am looking for a job".

The Guardian - Tech

Now he is looking for a job.

The New York Times

They are still looking for a job.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I've always been looking for a job..

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing a cover letter, tailor your phrasing to match the job description. Use keywords that show you're actively "looking for a job" that fits their specific needs.

Common error

Avoid using "looking for a job" repeatedly in your resume or cover letter. Use varied language, such as "seeking employment" or "pursuing career opportunities", to demonstrate a broader vocabulary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking for a job" functions as a verbal phrase, specifically a present participle phrase, acting as a description of an ongoing action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct. It often appears as part of a larger sentence, indicating someone's current activity or state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

20%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looking for a job" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase to describe the act of seeking employment. As Ludwig AI indicates, the expression is correct and fit for written English. The phrase appears across diverse contexts, spanning from news and media to scientific publications, as shown in the examples. While appropriate for most situations, more formal alternatives like "seeking employment" may be preferable in professional communications. To avoid repetitiveness in writing, consider using synonyms like "job hunting" or "searching for work". Overall, "looking for a job" is a clear and effective way to communicate the intention of finding employment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

job hunting

A more concise term for the process of actively seeking employment.

applying for jobs

Highlights the action of submitting applications to potential employers.

searching for work

A general term for seeking any type of employment.

trying to find work

A straightforward description of the effort to secure employment.

seeking employment

A formal and professional way to describe the action of looking for a job.

exploring job openings

Focuses on the act of investigating available positions.

seeking a position

A slightly more formal way of expressing the desire to find a job.

in the job market

Describes someone who is available and actively searching for work.

pursuing career opportunities

Emphasizes professional growth and advancement in the job search.

canvassing for positions

Implies a broad and active search across various potential employers.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "looking for a job"?

You can use alternatives like "seeking employment", "job hunting", or "searching for work" depending on the context.

How do I use "looking for a job" in a sentence?

You can use "looking for a job" to describe the action of searching for employment, as in "She is currently looking for a job in the tech industry" or "After graduating, he spent months looking for a job".

Which is correct, "looking for a job" or "looking for job"?

"Looking for a job" is correct. The indefinite article "a" is necessary because you are looking for one job out of many possibilities. "Looking for job" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "searching for a job" and "looking for a job"?

There is virtually no difference in meaning between "searching for a job" and "looking for a job". Both phrases indicate the action of seeking employment. The choice between them is largely a matter of personal preference.