Friends & datingIntermediate
Talking about what you do in English
Everyday English for talking about what you do. Key line: “Hey, what kind of work are you in?”
Full script
Lin
Hey, what kind of work are you in?
Them
I’m in sales—mostly calling people who dodge my calls.
Lin
Sales, nice. I teach Chinese, so I talk all day.
Them
Then you'd survive my job. Rejection before lunch is normal.
Lin
I also answer the same grammar question ten times.
Them
Honestly, that sounds harder. At least adults hang up politely.
Lin
On bad days, I call myself a professional repeater.
Them
Perfect—if sales fails, you can cover my voicemail greeting.
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
your field
✓ What kind of work are you in?Ask about their field
More natural than what do you do
I'm in…
✓ I’m in sales.Say your field
Use in + field
handle it
✓ You'd survive my job.Funny: you could do my job
survive = handle it, jokingly
At least
✓ At least adults hang up politely.Soft complaint: one good point
at least softens a complaint
Quick answers
your field: what to say in English
Say “What kind of work are you in?” — ask about their field. More natural than what do you do.
I'm in…: what to say in English
Say “I’m in sales.” — say your field. Use in + field.
handle it: what to say in English
Say “You'd survive my job.” — funny: you could do my job. survive = handle it, jokingly.
At least: what to say in English
Say “At least adults hang up politely.” — soft complaint: one good point. at least softens a complaint.