Jobs vs Position

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Jobs

Top 1,000 (very common)

Position

Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
 JobsPosition
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //dʒɒbz//🇺🇸 //dʒɑbz//🇬🇧 /["/pəˈzɪʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/pəˈzɪʃn/"]/
MeaningPositions or roles people do to earn money.A specific place or location where something is or someone is.
ExampleHe found several jobs that matched his skills.She applied for the position of manager at the company.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 1,000 (very common)Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level-A2
Part of speechnoun
Collocationsfull-time jobs, part-time jobs, job market, job seeker, job openingscorrect, exact, central, take, take up, jostle for, in position, into position, out of position, correct, exact, central, take, take up, jostle for, in position, into position, out of position, comfortable, uncomfortable, crouched, assume, change, shift, business, economic, financial, achieve, attain, reach, in a/​the position, position of, extreme, ideological, philosophical, adopt, take, defend, position on, first, second, etc., establish, gain, secure, position among, position in, a position of authority, a position of influence, a position of power, full-time, part-time, current, have, hold, occupy, in a/​the position, position at, position in, correct, exact, central, take, take up, jostle for, in position, into position, out of position, correct, exact, central, take, take up, jostle for, in position, into position, out of position, correct, exact, central, take, take up, jostle for, in position, into position, out of position
Antonymsunemployment, leisuredisplacement, removal, departure
Common mistakesConfused with 'job's' which is possessive., Used as a verb incorrectly., Mispronounced as 'jabs'.Confused with 'posture'; both involve positions but in different contexts., Using 'positions' when referring to roles without clarifying the context., Mixing up 'position' as a noun and 'to position' as a verb.
Usage notesUsed in both formal and informal settings. Avoid in very casual contexts where slang terms for work may be preferred.Use 'position' to refer to a physical location or a role in a company. It's neutral and appropriate for most contexts, including formal and informal settings. Avoid using it in very casual speech when simpler terms like 'spot' or 'place' might work.

See it in real clips

Jobs
Position

Frequently asked questions: Jobs vs Position

What's the difference between Jobs and Position?

Jobs: Positions or roles people do to earn money. Position: A specific place or location where something is or someone is.

Can you show an example of each?

Jobs: He found several jobs that matched his skills. Position: She applied for the position of manager at the company.

Can I use Jobs and Position interchangeably?

Not always. Jobs and Position are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

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