Glossary

Jobs glossary

103 definitions · page 1 of 2.

Assessments: Tests used by employers in order to gain a better insight into a potential employee's personality and career potential. While these tests can help the job seeker discover more about himself and unleash career ideas, they should never be relied upon as the…
Background Checks: Employers will use these in order to verify that any information given is accurate. The following are likely to be checked: Previous Employment Education (especially exam results/degrees) Personal References Medical Records Driving Record Criminal Record…
Benefits: Sometimes called 'perks' or 'fringe benefits', these include: Paid Vacations Personal Leave Days Sick Leave Life Insurance Medical Insurance Pension & Retirement Plans Child Care Stock Options Benefits are a valuable part of the package offered and can be…
Career Branding: Career brands are important to a job seeker's reputation. This is what tells potential employers who the job seeker is, what he does and why the company should employ him. By building a solid reputation within a chosen industry, employers will immediately…
Career Change: Experts predict that each individual will change careers between 3 - 5 times during their working life. These changes can occur for a number of reasons, including: Wrong choice of career when young Career not as enjoyable as believed Technology development…
Career Coach: These are professional people who help the job seeker develop and understand his/her career potential though mentoring and advising on all areas of job and career searching. Career coaches are also known as: Career Trainer Career Consultant Career Advisor…
Career Exploration: What one does when looking to expand on a chosen career or choose a new career path to follow.
Career Fair: Also know as job fairs and employment fairs, these are generally held during the Spring Break to allow college students as well as established professionals to attend. The idea is to allow companies to meet potential employees and vice versa.
Career Objective: This is the part of a resume that tells the employer what the job seeker's goals are within his or her chosen career path. Although it doesn't have to be included in a resume, it's strongly recommended that job seekers outline career objectives whenever…
Career Planning: The process of deciding a career path. Job seekers should ask themselves: In which industry would I like to work? What is my ideal salary? Do I need more education in order to meet my goals?
Career Portfolio: This is an important tool used when seeking certain types of employment. The job seeker puts together a 'picture' of his/her work in order to help the employer evaluate their abilities. This is especially used by writers, artists, photographers and similar…
Co-Worker: Somebody else who is employed by the same employer and who an employee works alongside, often as part of a team. Sometimes also known as 'Fellow Worker'
Cold Call: The name given to describe an approach made by a job seeker to an employer who hasn't publicly requested to be approached or advertised any positions within his company. Cold calling can be beneficial as very many jobs are found in the hidden job market…
Company Research: The process of gathering information related to any company at which a job seeker is applying for a job. The information should include the company's products, its location, its financial situation and its corporate culture. This information, when used…
Compensation Package: The combination of salary and any fringe benefits that an employer is willing to provide. When considering a position, job seekers should always evaluate the entire package rather than the salary alone, as some benefits, such a health insurance, are…
Contract Employee: This is what an employee is called when he or she is hired you out by the employer to another, similar organization. A contract employee is usually hired on a daily basis or for the length of a particular project.
Contract of Employment: An agreement between an employer and an employee. A contract of employment is enforceable by law and sets out the conditions and terms under which the employee is hired. Salary, benefits, working hours, etc., should all be outlined in the contract. Sometimes…
Corporate Culture: The sum of the beliefs, values and expectations shared amongst employees of a company. It's the corporate culture that sets the norm for employee behavior and is an important deciding factor for a job seeker when evaluating whether or not a position is…
Counter Offer-Counter Proposal: A negotiation process used between an employer and a potential employee. If the job seeker feels the employer's compensation package is too low, he should make a 'counter proposal' - usually higher than he actually expects to attain. The employer will then…
Cover Letter: Whenever a job seeker contacts an employer, his or her resume should always be accompanied by a cover letter. A well written cover letter should give employers an insight into the job seeker's personality and entice them to read their CV. Uninvited Cover…
Curriculum Vitea (CV): Similar to a resume, a Curriculum Vitae - or CV - is somewhat more formal and more detailed. It might include presentations the job seeker has made, any professional activities, honors gained and any other relevant information. Hobbies can also be listed if…
Declining Letter: A letter that is sent by a job seeker to an employer in order to turn down an offer of employment. So as to keep the company doors open for the future, the job seeker should always thank the employer for his kind offer and explain why he's unable to accept…
Degrees & Certificates: These are forms of recognition of completed studies that are awarded to students in High School, College, Trade Schools and Universities. Some employees will also obtain certificates when attending work related courses.
Desirable Qualifications: Although not always stated, desirable qualifications can include the job seeker's past work experience, work habits, special skills (examples include specific computer related skills or a second language), personal achievements and availability (for example…
Diversity Job Seekers: Minority groups whom, because of their affiliation, are often put at a disadvantage when seeking employment. Sometimes also known as 'Minority Job Seekers'
Domino Effect: There are five key phases within any good job search. If one of these is ignored, the chances are higher for the job search to be unsuccessful. The five phases are: Marketing Preparation Cover Letter Resume Interviewing Skills Follow-up
Dress for Success: Although a cliché, it's still very important. The combination of a job seeker's clothing, personal grooming and overall appearance when attending an interview are what an employers will use to make his first impression. How you dress will tell employers a…
E-mail Cover Letter: A cover letter that is sent to employers by e-mail rather than through the conventional postal service.
Electronic Resume: A resume that is sent to potential employers electronically, either via e-mail, through forms designed to accept your CV on the employer's website or via job search boards. Also known as 'E-Resume'
Elevator Speech: A short, 15-30 second speech used by job seekers at career fairs, networking events and other similar events. These 'elevator speeches' are advertisements and should include the job seeker's key skills and outline what makes him unique.
Employment Gaps: The times a job seeker has been unemployed, especially those gaps that appear between jobs. Employers are not keen on unexplained gaps in a job seeker's employment history so such gaps should always be clearly explained in a CV.
Employment Status: A person's employment status defines whether he or she is a 'worker', an 'employee', or 'self employed'.
Entry Level Skills: The minimum required skills necessary for a job seeker (often a college leaver) to enter into employment with an organization.
Flexi-Time: Some employers make it possible for employees to choose their own working hours as long as they're in the office between set times. If, for example, the flexi-time is 7am - 9pm and employees are expected to work 8 hours per day (including lunch and other…
Follow Up: Once you've sent your CV, you should follow up by calling the employer to ask for an interview. If the employer contacts you, follow up by promptly returning his call. Follow up an interview by writing a thank you letter and follow up a job offer by…
Freelancer: Freelancers are workers that are self-employed and who bid for individual projects. Freelancing is notoriously hard work but this is compensated though the kind of flexibility and freedom that employees do not have.
Full Time Jobs: Positions that cover the number of hours one would normally expect to work in a day. While it's possible to have a part time job as well as a full time job, most employees in full time positions have only the one job.
Hidden Job Market: No more than around 5-20% of job openings are ever publicly announced; the hidden job market therefore covers 80-95% of the total employment market. Only by digging around and cold calling can such positions be uncovered.
Home Based Careers: Work performed from a person's own home. These can be either on an employed or freelance basis and offer the kind of flexibility that allows more time with family. Always be on the lookout for scams when applying for home based positions. These jobs are…
Internships: Involves students working in their chosen career field during a semester or during the summer. An internship gives valuable work experience and allows the job seeker to produce employment based references. Employers are more likely to employ a job seeker…
Interviewing Skills: It's vital that any job seeker works on improving his or her interviewing skills as, regardless of the strength of a resume, the interview is what will ultimately land the job. Always remember that: First impressions are vital The interviewer is likely to…
Job Application: Having submitted a CV, many organizations now request that you also complete their own application form. Sometimes this is necessary in order to be offered an interview, other times the request will be made prior to an arranged interview. In the latter case…
Job Boards: These are websites where employers post their openings and job seekers can either a) search for available jobs, and/or b) post their CVs. There are five levels of job board on the Internet: General Job Boards (including Monster.com and Hotjobs.com), Industry…
Job Clubs: These clubs enable job seekers to network together and offer support during the job seeking process. Courses are often organized. If no job club exists in a specific area, a job seeker can start one himself. Sometimes also known as 'Networking Clubs' or…
Job Hunting Etiquette: The rules, norms and protocols that every job seeker should understand and follow. Good job hunting etiquette is based on good manners, something everybody should have learned. Sometimes also known as 'Business Etiquette'
Job Hunting on the Internet: The Internet offers countless opportunities for the job seeker, especially when it comes to easily being able to find and contact potential employers amongst the hidden job market. Those seeking work within the technology sector are well advised to search…
Job Interview: A meeting between employer and potential employee in order to determine whether they are matched. First impressions are important. Job seekers should always prepare for a job interview by learning about the company and what's involved in the position for…
Job Satisfaction: A number of factors that together determine how well chosen the employee's current position is. These factors may include the company's values, salary, recognition, and especially whether the job fully utilizes the employee's skills and abilities. An…
Job Search Agent: Many job boards now allow users to select certain criteria and have any matching vacancies automatically e-mailed to them. By using such a service, the job seeker is guaranteed not to miss any available opportunities.
Job Security: The degree to which an employee's position is protected from dismissal or retrenchment.
Job Shadowing: By 'shadow' observing workplaces, the job seeker can gather a plethora of information on a variety of career possibilities. This can help him/her focus on one particular course when there's uncertainty as to which career would be preferential to follow.
Job Skills: The necessary skills needed in order to perform a job satisfactorily. For example, a nurse would need good medical and people skills; a train driver needs keen concentration; and an accountant would need good math skills. Relevant job skills should ALWAYS be…
Key Accomplishments: A summary of your major achievements/accomplishments that should be included in your CV. See also 'Resume'
Keywords: Nouns and noun phrases that are easily noticed by an employer whilst scanning a CV. Keywords can mark job-specific skills, profession related skills, industry specific skills, technical terms, descriptions of technical expertise, certifications achieved…
Letter of Acceptance: When offered employment, a letter of acceptance should be sent confirming that the offer will be accepted and reiterating the conditions of employment, including salary, benefits, commencement date, working hours, areas of responsibility, etc.
Letter of Agreement: An outline of the conditions of employment as offered by the employer. Either the employer or the employee can initiate this. Remember that it is always best to get an offer of employment in writing, preferably in the form of a contract. Please also see…
Letter of Recommendation: This may be from a teacher, ex employer or other well regarded member of the community, and will support you skills, work ethics, etc. Very seldom used by job seekers nowadays but can be useful to have in circumstances where the recommendee is known to the…
Low Wage Worker: Workers who are employed in low paying jobs, often exploited due to their lack of skills. Low wage workers live from payday to pay day and have no job security.
Marketing Preparation: Important to successful job hunting. The strength of a job seeker's preparation will help him or her through the process of finding a suitable position. Prepare interviewing skills (how to market one's self during an interview), CV writing, and company…
Mentor: An employee who has been with a company for a substantial number of years and who counsels one or more new members of staff (or sometimes members of staff in lower positions) in order to help guide their careers. A mentor can either be formal, where the…