To be successful in a job, a person must be selfish and care only about himself or herself.
What is your opinion?
đź“ŚÂ Note: This question appeared in the IELTS Writing exam on 26 July, 2025 in Canada. Â
2025 IELTS Writing Task 2 Questions – Click to View All
Band 9 Sample Answer:
It is often claimed that selfishness is a key trait for professional success, implying that focusing only on oneself is the best way to climb the career ladder. I completely disagree with this viewpoint, as success in today’s workplace relies more on collaboration, emotional intelligence, and the ability to build strong professional relationships.
The first and foremost reason I do not support this idea is that most modern job roles require effective teamwork. In real-world settings—whether in corporate offices, hospitals, or schools—working well with others is essential. A selfish employee who disregards team goals may find it difficult to maintain trust or contribute meaningfully. For example, in a project-based company, an individual who withholds information to benefit personally may cause delays and even harm the team’s performance. Such behaviour can backfire, harming one’s long-term prospects rather than aiding success.
Apart from collaboration, success also heavily depends on soft skills like empathy, adaptability, and communication—qualities that are the opposite of selfishness. A self-centred attitude might offer short-term wins, but over time, it creates friction and isolates the individual. Leadership positions, in particular, are given to those who can inspire and support others. If someone is concerned only about their own advancement, they are unlikely to gain the trust needed to lead effectively or be chosen for promotions.
In conclusion, the idea that selfishness is necessary for job success is both outdated and inaccurate. A cooperative mindset, emotional intelligence, and the ability to support others are far more important in achieving lasting career growth in today’s interconnected work environment.
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Band 9 Insights Based on IELTS Writing Band Descriptors
1. Task Response – Band 9
- Fully addresses the question with a clear opinion from the start.
- Each body paragraph expands on a distinct, well-supported idea.
- Examples are relevant and realistic (e.g. project-based teamwork, leadership roles).
2. Coherence and Cohesion – Band 9
- Follows a logical 4-paragraph structure exactly like the sample in the PDF.
- Uses linking phrases naturally: first and foremost, apart from, for example, in conclusion.
- Ideas flow smoothly with no repetition or confusion.
3. Lexical Resource – Band 9
- Sophisticated yet natural vocabulary: climb the career ladder, emotional intelligence, friction, self-centred attitude, gain the trust, interconnected work environment.
- Accurate collocations used effectively.
4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy – Band 9
- Wide range of sentence structures: conditionals, relative clauses, passive voice, and complex compound sentences.
- Completely error-free, demonstrating strong control over grammar and punctuation.
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