Jobs

A job is a paid position of regular employment with an organization or individual. Jobs involve performing tasks in exchange for wages or salary and can be full-time, part-time, temporary, or contract-based. A person’s job is part of a broader career and may change through transitions between occupations and industries. In common usage, a job denotes a specific post, while an occupation refers to a family of related roles and a career to a sequence of jobs over time.

Labor markets connect job seekers with employers and determine how many positions are available. Job creation depends on economic activity, productivity, and technology, and is influenced by policy, investment, and demographics. Unemployment measures reflect people without work who are actively seeking a job, while underemployment captures those working fewer hours or in roles that do not match their skills. Education, training, wage standards, and regulations shape opportunities, and automation can shift the mix of available jobs.

Jobs span private and public sectors and vary by hours, pay, benefits, and working conditions. Full‑time positions often include benefits and greater security, while part‑time and contract roles may offer flexibility but less protection. The growth of the gig economy and remote work has changed how people obtain and perform work, with implications for scheduling, income stability, and access to benefits. Occupational classifications help standardize tracking and comparison across markets.

Data on employment and labor participation are collected by national statistics agencies and international organizations. These data inform policy, education planning, and economic analysis, and are used to monitor wage growth, productivity, and the impact of automation on job demand.