In the IELTS Speaking test, candidates are often asked to describe personal experiences that showcase their ability to communicate clearly and coherently. One common topic is “Describe A Time When You Had To Make A Difficult Professional Choice.” This kind of question is designed to evaluate your speaking skills, including fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation.
Understanding how to effectively respond to this prompt can significantly enhance your chances of achieving a high band score. In this guide, I’ll provide detailed examples, analysis, and strategies to tackle this question with proficiency.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In Part 1 of the Speaking test, the examiner may ask questions to get you warmed up. These often relate to familiar topics such as work, studies, etc.
Common Questions in Part 1:
- What do you do? Do you work or are you a student?
- What are your main responsibilities at work?
- Do you enjoy what you do? Why or why not?
Sample Question and Answer:
Examiner: What do you do? Do you work or are you a student?
Candidate: I’m currently a project manager at a software development company. My role primarily involves planning, executing, and overseeing projects to ensure they meet deadlines and budget requirements.
Key Points:
- Using specific job titles and roles (e.g., project manager).
- Describing responsibilities clearly (planning, executing, overseeing).
Part 2: Long Turn
In Part 2, you are given a cue card and you have to speak about it for 1-2 minutes.
Sample Cue Card:
Describe a time when you had to make a difficult professional choice:
- What the choice was
- When you had to make this choice
- What the outcome was
- And explain why it was difficult
Sample Answer:
There was a particularly challenging moment in my career when I had to decide whether to leave my stable, secure job at a well-established firm to join a startup company. This decision was made around two years ago.
At the time, I was working with a prestigious software development company where I had been employed for over five years. Although the job was secure and well-paying, it had started to feel monotonous and I no longer found it stimulating.
On the other hand, the startup offered an opportunity to work on innovative projects and to have a significant influence on the company’s growth. However, it came with greater risks, given the volatile nature of startups. After extensive deliberation and weighing the pros and cons, I decided to accept the offer from the startup.
The outcome was favorable; the startup flourished, and I gained immeasurable experience in various aspects of business development. The reason it was difficult was due to the uncertainty and risk involved, coupled with the comfort I had in my former position.
Key Vocabulary and Phrases:
- Challenging moment, stable, secure job, startup company
- Prestigious software development company, monotonous, stimulating
- Innovative projects, greater risks, deliberation
- Immeasurable experience, uncertainty and risk
Follow-up Questions from Examiner:
- Would you say you made the right choice?
- How did your colleagues react to your decision?
- What did you learn from this experience?
Suggested Answers for Follow-up Questions:
Examiner: Would you say you made the right choice?
Candidate: Absolutely. Despite the initial uncertainty, the experiences and opportunities I received at the startup were invaluable. They allowed me to extend my professional horizons far beyond what I’d envisioned.
Examiner: How did your colleagues react to your decision?
Candidate: Most of my colleagues were supportive, although a few were skeptical. They were concerned about the risks involved but respected my decision to pursue personal growth and new challenges.
Examiner: What did you learn from this experience?
Candidate: The experience taught me the importance of calculated risks and the value of stepping out of one’s comfort zone. It reinforced the notion that professional growth often comes from embracing new challenges.
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
In Part 3, the examiner will ask more abstract and complex questions related to Part 2’s topic to assess your analytical and critical thinking abilities.
Examiner’s Questions:
- How important is it to take risks in professional development?
- Do you think career changes are worth the potential setbacks?
- How do you evaluate risks before making a professional decision?
Suggested Answers:
Examiner: How important is it to take risks in professional development?
Candidate: Taking risks is crucial for professional development. It allows individuals to explore new opportunities and push beyond their current capabilities. Calculated risks can lead to significant growth and innovation.
Examiner: Do you think career changes are worth the potential setbacks?
Candidate: Career changes, while fraught with potential setbacks, are often worth the risk. They can provide fresh perspectives, new skills, and sometimes, a renewed sense of purpose. The long-term benefits usually outweigh the initial challenges.
Examiner: How do you evaluate risks before making a professional decision?
Candidate: Evaluating risks involves considering both the pros and cons. It includes assessing the potential gains, the stability of the new option, and the impact on my overall career trajectory. Seeking advice from trusted mentors and conducting thorough research also help in making an informed decision.
Key Vocabulary and Structures for High Band Scores
- Innovative projects: /ˈɪnəˌveɪtɪv ˈprɑʤɛkts/
- Monotonous: /məˈnɑtnəs/
- Stimulating: /ˈstɪmjəˌleɪtɪŋ/
- Undertaking risks: /ˌʌndərˈteɪkɪŋ rɪsks/
- Evaluating: /ɪˈvæljueɪtɪŋ/
- Calculated risks: /ˈkælkjəˌleɪtɪd rɪsks/
Example Sentences:
- Working on innovative projects can significantly enhance your skills.
- My previous job became monotonous and lacked new challenges.
- Professionals often need to undertake calculated risks to advance in their careers.
Difficult Professional Choice
Conclusion
Achieving a high score in the IELTS Speaking test requires practice, a good understanding of the expected tasks, and effective use of language. When describing a time when you had to make a difficult professional choice, ensure your response is structured, uses varied vocabulary, and clearly articulates your decision-making process. Practice regularly, seek feedback, and focus on improving your fluency and coherence.
For further practice, check out related topics such as describe a situation when you had to make a difficult choice or describe a situation when you felt out of your comfort zone.
By consistently honing your skills and incorporating these strategies and vocabulary, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your target band score in the IELTS Speaking test!
