pursuing a position

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pursuing a position" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of seeking or applying for a job or role within an organization. Example: "She is currently pursuing a position in the marketing department to further her career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 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

Jeff Ruland, who recently vowed to remain the coach at Iona, his alma mater, instead of pursuing a position at a bigger school, may soon be in contention for the Seton Hall job.

The New York Times - Sports

Rodney L. Whitlock, a health policy consultant and former longtime aide to Senator Charles E. Grassley, Republican of Iowa, said the five-year lobbying ban was a deterrent from pursuing a position with the administration.

The New York Times

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 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

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

Stanford University

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing your career goals in a resume or cover letter, use "pursuing a position" to convey your active interest in a specific role. For example, "I am pursuing a position as a data analyst to leverage my analytical skills."

Common error

While "pursuing a position" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in very formal documents. Consider stronger, more direct verbs like "seeking" or "applying for" to enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pursuing a position" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It describes the action of actively seeking a job or role, and Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

24%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pursuing a position" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe the act of actively seeking employment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, including news, academia, and professional settings. While "pursuing a position" is generally acceptable, consider alternatives like "seeking a position" or "applying for a job" for increased formality or specificity. Be mindful of overuse and choose the most impactful language for your specific needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeking a position

Implies a general search for a job, similar to the original phrase but slightly broader.

applying for a job

Focuses specifically on the application process, making it a more concrete action.

aiming for a role

Highlights the aspirational aspect of wanting a specific role within an organization.

vying for a spot

Suggests competition and active effort to obtain a limited number of positions.

in pursuit of employment

More formal and emphasizes the overall goal of finding employment.

trying to secure a job

Emphasizes the effort and uncertainty involved in obtaining employment.

canvassing for work

Suggests a proactive and widespread search for job opportunities.

looking to obtain a post

Formal and highlights the desire to acquire a specific position.

endeavoring to get hired

Stresses the effort and determination in the job-seeking process.

on the hunt for work

Informal and suggests an active and determined search for employment.

FAQs

What does "pursuing a position" mean?

The phrase "pursuing a position" means actively seeking or trying to obtain a job or role within an organization.

What can I say instead of "pursuing a position"?

You can use alternatives like "seeking a position", "applying for a job", or "aiming for a role" depending on the context.

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

Example: "She is currently "pursuing a position" in the marketing department to further her career."

Is "pursuing a position" formal or informal?

The phrase "pursuing a position" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal options like "seeking a position" might be preferred in certain situations.