‘Work Experience' or 'Working Experience': What's the Difference?

Should you tell your new employer about your ‘work experience’ or your ‘working experience’? If you’re not familiar with the phrase, you might be wondering what the difference is between these phrases. You’ll learn that plus how to use the correct spelling of the phrase in a sentence.

The short answer is that the difference is:

• ‘Work experience’ is a noun phrase. It usually refers to employment.
• ‘Working experience’ is a phrase used to describe the practical or functional experience in a specific area. It doesn’t necessarily refer to employment.

These phrases are similar in appearance but mean different things. Therefore, it’s best to avoid using them interchangeably.

‘Work Experience’ or ‘Working Experience’?

So, is it ‘work experience’ or ‘working experience’?

Well, technically, it’s both.

The former refers to the experience you have had with different employers throughout your life. A potential employer might ask you for your work experience, meaning the jobs you held before applying for the current one.

However, ‘working experience’ is similar to the phrase ‘working knowledge,’ and it refers to the specific experience you have with a particular thing.

For example:

• Someone might say they have ‘working experience’ with a power drill, meaning they’ve used one before, usually many times.

These phrases might look similar, but they don't mean the same thing. That means they can't be homophones.

What is the Difference Between ‘Work Experience’ and ‘Working’ Experience? 

So, what’s the real difference between ‘work experience’ and ‘working experience’?

We just learned that ‘work experience’ means the experience you have working for different employers.

‘Working experience’ refers to the experience you have with certain things.

Definition of ‘Work Experience’: What Does ‘Work Experience’ Mean?

Merriam-Webster defines ‘work experience’ as:

• Jobs that a person has had.

Your ‘work experience’ is also called your work history, and it’s usually required by any company that hires employees.

Without it, your potential employer won’t be able to assess what kind of things you’ve done and can do.

Definition of ‘Working Experience’: What Does ‘Working Experience’ Mean?

Merriam-Webster defines ‘working’ as:

• The manner of functioning or operation or engagement in work, especially for wages or salary.

The same dictionary defines ‘experience’ as:

• The direct observation of or participation in events as a basis of knowledge
• Practical knowledge or skill
• The length of participation in something
• The conscious events that make up an individual life
• The act or process of directly perceiving events or reality
• To have experience of (undergo)
• To learn by experience

A few synonyms of the word ‘experience’ include:

Noun

• Chops
• Moxie
• Skills
• Expertise
• Proficiency
• Know-how
• Savvy

Verb

• Endure
• Know
• Feel
• Pass
• Have
• See
• Sustain
• Suffer
• Witness
• Taste
• Undergo

Pronunciation: How to Pronounce ‘Work Experience’ and ‘Working Experience’

Are you unsure of how to pronounce these phrases? Here’s a quick guide.

To pronounce ‘work experience’ correctly, here’s the phonetic spelling:

wUHRk-EkspIUHREEUHnts

To pronounce ‘working experience’ correctly, here’s the phonetic spelling:

wUHRkIng-EkspIUHREEUHnts

How to Use ‘Work Experience’ and ‘Working Experience’ in a Sentence

Let’s see some examples of using these phrases in a sentence so you can create some of your own.

Work Experience

• When my co-worker was hired, she said they didn’t even ask about her work experience. They must have needed people badly.
• I don’t like talking about my work experience with employers because I have gaps in my resume. How do I explain them?
• I think the girls’ work experience isn’t the greatest. Do you think they could get jobs this summer?
• I’m not sure my work experience is good enough to get this job. I’ll try, but I’m not too confident I’ll get it.
• This job isn’t even asking about work experience. That place has to be a revolving door.

Working Experience

• I had to prove to Jim that I had working experience with riding mowers.
• His working experience with unclogging drains means he could be a plumber.
• As of now, my working experience with that hand saw isn’t the best.
• I don’t really have any working experience using Excel or any other computer programs. I’m not very computer savvy.
• I have working experience fixing electronic devices. Do you want me to take a look at your iPad?

Final Thoughts on ‘Work Experience’ and ‘Working Experience’

To recap, we learned the following:

• ‘Work experience’ is a noun phrase that usually refers to employment.
• ‘Working experience’ is a phrase used to describe practical or functional experience with a specific thing. It doesn’t refer to employment.

These phrases are similar in appearance but mean different things. Therefore, it’s best to avoid using them interchangeably.

If you ever have trouble with anything, you can always come back and review what you learned. We’ve also got a whole content library on confusing words and phrases. So feel free to go check it out anytime.