Worldbuilding questions to get the creative juices flowing 35
Theme: Jobs, Employment, Work
What are common jobs? What are rare jobs? Why are these jobs common, uncommon, etc? Are the common jobs well wanted? Are the common jobs safe? (Awful working conditions can still be popular and well wanted jobs)
Are there any high paying jobs? If so why are these jobs high-paying? Do people like that these jobs are high paying?
In what ways are working conditions mandated? Are these regulations moral and/or properly followed? Are there unions? Are people currently trying to change working conditions? Do the majority expect a change?
What does the average worker look like? What workers do you tend to see walking around? (Salaryman, soot covered factory worker, mailmen bikers, etc.)
Do children work? Is retirement possible (and morally so)? Is work affected by gender norms? Species norms? Class norms? More? Who doesn’t work?
If your world has magic how does that affect jobs? Depending on your world’s level of technology, how does technology affect jobs? Is technology or magic used in jobs? Are species abilities used in jobs?
How are workers paid? Is the money salary usually worth it?
How do most people get to work? How do some notable jobs get to work? Where do people work? What are well known places?
Do world/society conflicts or changes affect work? If so, in what ways? (Civil rights movements, war, riots, more)
What are cultural beliefs on different jobs?
Is there free time? Is the economy good? If not, is there any inflations, recessions, depressions, or more occurring?
My Examples:
The nation of Mondie in my SOA worldbuilding project has most workers separated by their magic/abilities, due to cultural norms that advocate for people to pick jobs easier to their abilities. Fire elementals work in forges, illusive spellcasters don’t mind being lobbyist, spies, or critics, those with super strength can easily tote around materials for construction.
Healers of any type have the most leeway and opportunity for work. The dangerous working conditions of the common Mondiean workforces has opened up a position for on the job healers. They also have medical careers, military careers, and more open to them.
If you walked down the streets of the Mondie you would see a place constantly bustling with life. Bakers with aprons powdered in flour would be hanging out the windows of their stores announcing their specialty recipes and cheap choices for the day. Factory workers and miners come piling out of the large industrial descenders, coated in the soot and ash from the underground magma districts. Young paper boys help guide loose messengers to their proper location, biking after some particularly fast ones in hopes of getting better tips.










