what is your job

USAGE SUMMARY

"What is your job?" is a correct and usable sentence in written English.
You can use it when you are asking someone to tell you the type of work they do for a living. For example, "I'm getting to know everyone in the new office. What is your job here?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

That I know cold").. Other questions were just too hard to answer (e.g., "How many people live from here to there?" "Is school free?" "What is your job?" Oh you know, co-prez of a fashion eyewear brand/marketing/PR ― got that?), OR when I answered, the boys were simply blown away by my response (e.g., "How many children must you produce?"... "As many or as few as you choose". WHAAAAT?").

Huffington Post

What is your job?

The New York Times - Science

"He would say: 'What is your job?

The New York Times

"What, is your job on the line?

The New York Times - Sports

They typically said things such as "Not that I am aware of," "It was more around the job function," and "Our layoff criteria are strictly based on colorblind stuff…always based on what is your job title". In their minds, downsizing is about erasing parts of the organizational chart, not about gender or race.

Harvard Business Review

Copeland said to me, with obvious frustration, "In social situations, people so often ask me, 'So what do you do when you're not performing — what is your job?' I'm, like, 'I have a job, I work every day, I'm in a union, we get overtime.' " In addition to its practice space on Broadway, A.B.T. has a rehearsal space several floors below the stage of the Metropolitan Opera House.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Regularly ask yourself: What's your job, knucklehead?

The New York Times - Magazine

What are your job goals and success metrics?

Harvard Business Review

JB: What's your job?

TechCrunch

Q: What was your job at the time?

Science Magazine

Then, the service gets a little abstract, asking things like what city inspires you and what are your job aspirations.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow up the question "what is your job" with additional questions such as "what do you enjoy most about it?" or "what are some of the challenges you face?" to show genuine interest and encourage further conversation.

Common error

Avoid making assumptions about someone's job based on their appearance or background. Asking "what is your job?" directly is respectful and allows the person to define themselves.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what is your job" functions as an interrogative clause used to inquire about someone's profession or occupation. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what is your job" is a common and grammatically sound way to ask about someone's occupation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent use across various contexts, including news, academia, and general conversation. While versatile, it's worth noting that more formal alternatives like "what is your profession?" might be preferred in certain settings. Remember to follow up with engaging questions to foster a more meaningful conversation. Be mindful of cultural contexts and individual preferences when initiating this line of inquiry.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what do you do for a living

This alternative is a more common and general way to ask about someone's profession.

what is your occupation

A more formal and official-sounding way to ask about someone's job.

what is your profession

Similar to 'occupation' but can also imply a higher level of training or expertise.

what line of work are you in

Focuses on the industry or sector someone works in rather than the specific job title.

what is your role

This is a more generic way to ask about someone's responsibilities, especially within a company or project.

what do you specialize in

Focuses on the specific skills or area of expertise that someone possesses.

what kind of work do you do

A broader question that allows for a more detailed response about the nature of their work.

what are your responsibilities

Focuses on the tasks and duties associated with their position.

could you describe your daily tasks

Asks for a description of typical activities carried out within a specific role.

how do you spend your working hours

Focuses on how someone allocates their time during work.

FAQs

What is the best way to ask "what is your job" in a formal setting?

In a formal setting, consider using phrases like "what is your profession?" or "what is your occupation?" These alternatives convey a higher level of respect and are suitable for professional environments.

What can I say instead of "what is your job" to be more specific?

To be more specific, you could ask "what is your role at this company?" or "what are your main responsibilities?" These questions focus on the tasks and duties associated with their position.

Is it appropriate to ask "what is your job" in casual conversation?

Yes, asking "what is your job" is generally appropriate in casual conversation as a way to get to know someone better. However, be mindful of the context and the other person's comfort level.

How can I follow up after asking "what is your job" to show genuine interest?

Follow up questions like "what do you enjoy most about it?" or "what are some of the challenges you face?" can demonstrate genuine interest and encourage further conversation.