"Job" is a specific position or employment; "work" is the general activity of working.
Noun. A specific position you are paid to do. Always countable: "a job", "two jobs".
She got a new job at a hospital.
Ella consiguio un nuevo trabajo en un hospital.
I have two jobs right now. It is exhausting.
Tengo dos trabajos ahorita. Es agotador.
What kind of job are you looking for?
¿Que tipo de trabajo estas buscando?
Noun. The general activity of working, or the effort you put in. Uncountable as a noun: you do not say "a work" (except for art or literature).
I have a lot of work to do before Friday.
Tengo mucho trabajo que hacer antes del viernes.
She goes to work by bus every morning.
Ella va al trabajo en autobus todas las mananas.
Good work! You did an excellent job.
¡Buen trabajo! Hiciste un trabajo excelente.
Common mistake
Common error: "I am looking for a work." is wrong. "Work" as a noun is uncountable in this context. Correct: "I am looking for a job." or "I am looking for work." (no article). Another error: "She has good job." — wrong. Correct: "She has a good job." ("job" always needs an article or determiner).
Trick to remember it
"Job" = the position (you can count them: one job, two jobs). "Work" = the activity or effort (uncountable: "a lot of work", not "a lot of works"). Useful phrase: "I have a job, and the work is interesting."
Quick rule
Job = specific position (countable: a job, two jobs). Work = activity or effort (uncountable: a lot of work).
Did you know?
"Work" can also be a verb: "I work every day." "Job" is never a verb. In art and literature, "work" is countable: "a work of art", "the complete works of Shakespeare". And "homework" is always uncountable — never "a homework".
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
She is unemployed. She has been looking for a _____ for three months.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
I still have a lot of _____ to finish before the deadline.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Job = specific position (countable: a job, two jobs). Work = activity or effort (uncountable: a lot of work).
Common error: "I am looking for a work." is wrong. "Work" as a noun is uncountable in this context. Correct: "I am looking for a job." or "I am looking for work." (no article). Another error: "She has good job." — wrong. Correct: "She has a good job." ("job" always needs an article or determiner).
"Job" = the position (you can count them: one job, two jobs). "Work" = the activity or effort (uncountable: "a lot of work", not "a lot of works"). Useful phrase: "I have a job, and the work is interesting."
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy