“Work For” vs. “Work With”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “work for” and “work with”

  • "Work for" implies a subordinate role where one party is obligated to meet specified job requirements; whereas "work with" is a collaborative effort with mutual respect.
  • "Work for" is typically a formal arrangement established by an employer-employee relationship; on the other hand, "work with" is flexible and entails working together with team members, clients, or partners.
  • "Work for" is based on an individual's capability to work independently, whereas "work with" demands excellent teamwork, communication, and coordination skills to achieve a shared goal.
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What is the definition of “work for” and “work with”?

Work for
  • To perform duties or services for an employer or company in exchange for payment.
  • It involves a hierarchical relationship where the employee is answerable to the employer.
  • The employer has the power to control work hours, wages, and tasks assigned.
Work with
  • To collaborate or cooperate with someone to achieve a common goal or project.
  • It is a relationship where both parties share their ideas, knowledge, skills, and resources.
  • The goal is to merge individual strengths to create a successful outcome.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Work with” is the more popular variant on the web.
Work for
983,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. I work for a financial company in the marketing department.
  2. She works for a non-profit organization that provides clean water to rural communities.
  3. My uncle works for the government as a civil engineer.
More popular
Work with
1,680,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. The graphic designer works with the web developer to create visually appealing websites.
  2. The therapist works with patients to improve their mental health and well-being.
  3. The chef works with local farmers to source fresh ingredients for the restaurant's menu.
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