Interpreting job adverts, interviews

Job Lexicon

Job seekers need to be able to interpret the jargon used in job ads and interviews.

 

Accomplishments: these are your achievements and can be quantified. Increasing sales lead from hundred to one thousand in two months is a very good example.

 

Assessments: good examples are tests that ask series of questions with the aim of finding out more about your personality and career interests.

 

Aptitude test: this is a knowledge based test used by employers to screen job applicants.

 

Background check:  this is done by employers to ascertain the authenticity of credentials, reference letters and claims made by in-coming employees.

 

Behavioral interview: probes into your past performance in order to predict your future behavior.

 

Benefits: an important part of your remuneration. It may include paid vacations, medical insurance, life insurance and pension plans.

 

Career: may be described chosen pursuit (occupation) or the general course of one's working life or professional achievements.

Career change: this has to do with changing from one profession to another.

Career coach:  is a consultant or adviser who guides managers or company executives and helps them plan and manage their career.

 

Chronological resume: this is a resume arranged in the order of time.

Curriculum Vitae: this is similar to a resume, but more formal, and includes a detailed listing of items such as publications, presentations, professional activities, honors etc.

 

Exploration: is the process of finding a rewarding career path or finding highly rewarding jobs within a specific career.

 

Career fair: a formal gathering where job seekers, employers, temping agencies and employment agencies interact.

 

Career objective: a personal statement which defines your short or long term career goal and how you can benefit an employer.

 

Case interview: this interview type seeks to measure how well you identify, structure, and think through problems.

 

Cold call: when a job seeker submits resume to or approaches an employer who has not publicly announced any job openings.

 

Compensation package: the total package that an employee gets. This is the combination of salary and fringe benefits an employer provides to an employee.

 

Contract employee: when you are not a permanent staff of the company or organization you work for.

 

Counter offer: an offer from employer to employee to counter an offer by another organization or competition to the employee.

 

Cover letter: this accompanies a when contacting a potential employer. Cover letters describe your strengths and skills.

 

Decline letter: a letter sent to an employer to turn down a job offer.

 

Degrees: an academic title conferred by universities and colleges as an indication of the completion of a course of study, or as an honorary recognition of achievement.

 

Diversity jobseeker: these are disadvantaged job seekers such as women and minorities.

Dress for success: coined by John Malloy, dress for success implies making a great first impression at a job interview by dressing appropriately.

 

Electronic resume: a resume sent to the employer electronically, either via email, by submitting to Internet job boards, or by posting it in on an employer’s Web page.

 

Elevator speech: used by job seekers at career fairs, networking events and job interviews, to give insight into personality and qualifications.

 

Email cover letter: a cover letter sent to an employer via email.

 

Employment gaps: period of time between jobs when job seekers are unemployed, either by choice or circumstances.

 

Freelancer: a person who sells services to employers without a long-term commitment to any of them.

 

Functional resume: a resume organized by skills and functions, with employment history often listed as a separate section.

 

Hidden job market: these are job openings which applicants can access via networking and cold calling because they are not publicly advertised.

 

Home-based career: any flexible occupation that allows you to make money while working from home.

 

Internship: any official or formal program to provide practical experience for beginners in an occupation or profession.

 

Job application: a written or spoken request or appeal for employment. It could also be a form to be filled out by a job seeker.

 

Job boards: these are websites or discussion boards dedicated to job openings and employment issues.

 

Job clubs: are networking clubs which enable job seekers to expand their network of contacts. Job clubs also serve as a support group when job-hunt is longer or harder than expected.

 

Job-hunting etiquette: these are the rules or protocols that should guide a job seeker's conduct while job-hunting.

 

Job Interview: an interview with a potential employee by an employer in order to question or ascertain the eligibility of the applicant for the job.  

 

Job satisfaction: this describes how much fulfillment or satisfaction an individual derives from his or her job.

 

Job shadowing: this involves brief visits to a variety of workplaces, during which you "shadow," observe, and ask employees of these organizations questions.   

 

Job skill: this is the skill a job seeker needs to do a particular job.

 

Job skill portfolio: this is a job hunting tool through which job seekers can give employers a complete picture of their skill set by providing samples of their work.

 

Letter of Acceptance: this is used to confirm the offer of employment and the conditions of the offer.

 

Letter of Agreement: this outlines the conditions of employment. It could be initiated by an employer or a potential employee.

 

Letter of recommendation: a letter of support for your skills, ability, and work ethic, usually written by a former boss or co-worker, but could also be from a teacher or personal reference.

 

Mentor: a wise and trusted counselor at a higher level within a company or within your profession who counsels you and helps guide your career.

 

Moonlighting: this involves working at an additional job after one's regular, full-time employment.   

Networking: a supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups having a common interest.

 

Offer of employment: an offer by an employer to an applicant. It specifies the terms of employment, starting date, salary, benefits and working conditions.

 

Over-qualification: this is a term used by employers to describe mid-career job seekers who have one of these three flaws: too many years of experience, too much education, or too much pay from their current or previous job.

 

Panel interview: is a committee of people, usually around a table, asking questions.

 

Part-time job: this is not a full time job. It gives employees control over their time and flexible working hours.

 

Passive job search: this is a situation whereby a job seeker who has interest in a new job possibility is not openly on the job market.

 

Personal mission statement: this is your core values and beliefs as a job seeker.

 

Phone interview: this is used by an employer to decide if a job seeker is a good enough match to justify a site visit.

 

Portfolio career: this involves holding multiple part-time jobs instead of working at a full-time job.

 

Recruitment firm: this is a professional organization that has been paid by employers to find candidates for specific positions.

 

Reference sheet: this is a list of containing key contact information of persons testifying to an applicant’s character and ability.

 

Reference: a person who guarantees that an applicant’s character and abilities, matches the claim being made to an employer.

 

Resignation: When you decide it's time to quit your job (also referred to as giving notice), it's always better to submit your official resignation -- with your industry's customary amount of notice. Whenever possible, do not leave on bad terms with your employer. Read more.

 

Resume: a key job-hunting tool used to get an interview. It is a summary of your accomplishments, education and work experience.

 

Salary: the financial compensation an employee receives for performing his or her job.

 

Salary history: this is the detailed record of the salaries earned by an employed individual.

 

Salary negotiation: is the process whereby job seekers attempt to obtain the best compensation package possible, based on skills and experience, industry standard, and company guidelines.

 

Salary requirements: this is when an employer asks a prospective to state the salary required for a specific job opening.

 

Screening interview: is the first stage interview conducted by the human resources department of a company. It is aimed at weeding out unqualified candidates.

 

Situational interview: this is a scenario-based interview, where a job seeker is placed in a hypothetical situation such as dealing with an angry client.

 

Stress interview: is a deliberate attempt to see how applicant handles pressure, intimidation or arguments.

 

Survival job:  a low paying job that a displaced job seeker takes on a temporary basis to cover basic living costs, in order to survive and avoid bankruptcy, or worse.

 

Telecommuting: is an employment arrangement where the employee works one or more days from a remote location, often an office in the employee's home.

 

Temping: is a temporary employment for job seekers. Temping agencies and recruitment agencies facilitated such employment opportunities.

 

Temporary firm: companies that place workers in jobs on a contract or temporary basis.

 

Thank you letter: this is an appreciation letter sent by job seekers to prospective employers after every interview.

 

Transferable skill: these are skills acquired by job seekers during previous employment which are to their next job.

 

Under-qualification: is an attribute of new graduates with limited experience, as well as career-changers whose experience is outside the area they now wish to pursue.

 

Workplace values: ideals and culture of a particular working environment.