pursue a position

USAGE SUMMARY

"pursue a position" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used when someone is looking for a new job. For example, "After 15 years in the same position, Sally decided to pursue a new position in a different industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

If Cashman does leave, he could pursue a position with a handful of teams.

The New York Times - Sports

Johnson will seriously pursue a position only if Thomas does not do so.

The New York Times - Sports

A Citigroup spokeswoman said the bank "routinely accommodates individuals who wish to leave the firm to pursue a position in government or nonprofit sector".

The New York Times

A Citigroup spokeswoman said it "routinely accommodates individuals who wish to leave the firm to pursue a position in government or nonprofit sector".

The New York Times

In 2008, she moved to Tokyo to pursue a position as an energy policy researcher at the Asia Pacific Energy Research Centre.

Stanford University

I can say without a doubt that this program and this major played an integral role in preparing me with the skills I need to pursue a position I'm absolutely thrilled about.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

On Tuesday, Rhee tweeted, "I am not pursuing a position with the administration but I have appreciated the opportunity to share my thoughts on education with the PEOTUS.

The New Yorker

"My primary motivation for pursuing a position was because of the mission of the organization to provide healthcare to disadvantaged and under-served communities," she says.

Harvard Business Review

Career goal: Pursuing a position in hospital administration where I can contribute to providing high quality care and improving population health in a cost-effective manner.

Yale University

In a unanimous decision, a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that former military judge Vance Spath "created a disqualifying appearance of partiality" by pursuing a position as an immigration judge while also overseeing the case.

The Washington Post

Cindy had herself recently moved from China, and for several months had pursued a position in Harley's group with a tenacity that at first aggravated and then awed him.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's career goals, use "pursue a position" to indicate a deliberate effort to achieve a specific role or level within an organization.

Common error

Avoid using "pursue a position" interchangeably with phrases that denote job creation or offering, as "pursue" implies seeking an existing role, not inventing a new one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pursue a position" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of actively seeking or striving for a job or role. It describes the effort and intent to obtain employment, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

22%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pursue a position" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that indicates actively seeking employment. Ludwig's examples show that it's often found in contexts such as news, academia, and science. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the intention of seeking an existing role, rather than creating one. Alternatives like "seek employment" or "apply for a job" may be suitable depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aim for a position

Emphasizes the goal-oriented nature of seeking a job.

apply for a job

Highlights the act of formally requesting a job.

try to get a job

A simpler, more direct way to express job seeking.

seek employment

Focuses on the act of looking for a job.

hunt for a role

Emphasizes the active search for a specific role.

look for work

A more general term for seeking any kind of job.

target a post

Indicates a specific and deliberate focus on a particular job.

chase a career

Highlights long term professional goals.

explore opportunities

Suggests a broader search including a variety of roles.

be in the job market

Indicates active participation in the employment sector.

FAQs

How can I use "pursue a position" in a sentence?

You can use "pursue a position" to describe someone's active effort to obtain a job. For example, "She decided to "pursue a position" in the tech industry after gaining relevant skills."

What are some alternatives to "pursue a position"?

Alternatives include "seek employment", "apply for a job", or "aim for a position" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "pursue a position" or "look for a job"?

"Pursue a position" is generally more formal than "look for a job", making it suitable for professional or academic contexts. "Look for a job" is more casual and can be used in everyday conversation.

What's the difference between "pursue a position" and "secure a position"?

"Pursue a position" refers to the process of actively trying to obtain a job, while "secure a position" means successfully obtaining it. Securing a position is the successful outcome of pursuing one.