IELTS Writing Task 2 · Discussion (both views and your opinion) · Academic

Staying in one job versus changing jobs: discuss both

The question

Some people prefer to stay in the same job for the same company their whole life. Others prefer to change jobs frequently. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. ---

About 40 minutes. Write at least 250 words.

Plan before you write

Position:
While job stability offers security, I believe that frequent career changes are more beneficial for professional growth and adaptability in the modern economy.
Paragraph 2:
Employees who remain with one firm for their entire career often benefit from deep institutional knowledge and long-term financial security.
Paragraph 3:
Regularly switching employers fosters a diverse skill set and allows individuals to stay competitive by adjusting to evolving industry demands.
  1. Give each view its own paragraph, explained fairly even where you disagree.
  2. Say where you stand in the introduction and again in the conclusion; the question asks for your opinion.
  3. Do not merge the two views into one paragraph; examiners look for both to be developed.

Band 8 sample essay

The debate regarding whether it is preferable to dedicate one's entire professional life to a single organisation or to transition between roles frequently remains a significant topic of discussion. While staying in one place offers undeniable stability, I believe that changing jobs periodically is more advantageous for personal development and career resilience.

Those who choose to remain with a single employer for their entire career often enjoy a sense of job security and deep familiarity with company operations. By staying in one firm, individuals can rise through the ranks, accumulating substantial institutional knowledge and building strong, long-lasting professional relationships. For instance, a dedicated employee at a multinational bank may earn trust and receive consistent promotions, eventually securing a high-level executive position with a robust pension plan. This path provides a predictable and comfortable professional trajectory.

Conversely, changing jobs frequently is often necessary to acquire a broad range of skills and maintain a competitive edge. Workers who shift roles regularly are forced to adapt to different company cultures, technologies, and challenges, which prevents their skill set from stagnating. For example, a software developer who moves between various tech start-ups will likely gain experience in diverse programming languages and project management styles, making them more versatile than a peer who has only ever used one company's legacy systems. This adaptability is particularly valuable in a rapidly changing global labour market.

In summary, while long-term loyalty to one firm provides stability and deep expertise, I contend that frequently switching jobs is more beneficial. The diversity of experience gained through multiple roles better prepares individuals for the uncertainties of the modern workforce and promotes faster professional growth.

273 words. Use the structure and the vocabulary, not the sentences.

Why this scores Band 8

The essay earns Band 8 by presenting a clear, consistent position and supporting it with logical, well-developed arguments and precise vocabulary. A Band 6 response typically fails to address both sides equally, provides underdeveloped examples, or relies on repetitive, clichéd structures rather than coherent analytical writing.

Vocabulary from the essay

institutional knowledge
information held by employees within a specific company
professional trajectory
the path or progress of one's working life
stagnating
failing to grow or develop at all
versatile
able to adapt or be used for many functions
legacy systems
old or outdated methods and computer software programs
resilience
the ability to recover quickly from difficult situations
contend
to assert something as a position in argument
robust
strong and unlikely to fail or break down

Write this one yourself and get a band

Forty minutes, then a band for task response, coherence, vocabulary and grammar, with the sentences that cost you marked.

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Frequently asked questions

What type of essay is "Staying in one job versus changing jobs: discuss both"?

Discussion (both views and your opinion). Give each view its own paragraph, explained fairly even where you disagree.

How long should the answer be?

At least 250 words. This sample is 273 words, written to fit 40 minutes with five minutes left to check grammar.

What is the difference between a Band 6 and a Band 8 answer here?

The essay earns Band 8 by presenting a clear, consistent position and supporting it with logical, well-developed arguments and precise vocabulary. A Band 6 response typically fails to address both sides equally, provides underdeveloped examples, or relies on repetitive, clichéd structures rather than coherent analytical writing.

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