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

Staying in one job versus changing jobs: discuss both: IELTS Writing Task 2 sample answer

An IELTS Writing Task 2 discussion essay question with a Band 8 sample answer, the plan behind it, the vocabulary that lifts it and what an examiner looks for.
  • 273 words
  • Discussion (both views and your opinion)
  • Academic
  • 40 minutes

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.

Discussion (both views and your opinion)

Plan before you write

  1. 1

    Your position

    While job stability offers security, I believe that frequent career changes are more beneficial for professional growth and adaptability in the modern economy.

  2. 2

    Paragraph 2

    Employees who remain with one firm for their entire career often benefit from deep institutional knowledge and long-term financial security.

  3. 3

    Paragraph 3

    Regularly switching employers fosters a diverse skill set and allows individuals to stay competitive by adjusting to evolving industry demands.

  • →Give each view its own paragraph, explained fairly even where you disagree.
  • →Say where you stand in the introduction and again in the conclusion; the question asks for your opinion.
  • →Do not merge the two views into one paragraph; examiners look for both to be developed.

Model answer

Band 8 sample essay

Band 8273 words · use the structure and vocabulary, not the sentences

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.

Examiner's view

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.

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8 words

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

More words for this topic: IELTS vocabulary for work and careers.

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 many words should an IELTS Writing Task 2 essay be?+

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

How is IELTS Writing Task 2 scored?+

On four criteria: task response, coherence and cohesion, vocabulary, and grammatical range and accuracy. Task 2 counts for twice as much as Task 1 in your Writing band.

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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