Career Edge Glossary

A career glossary is an essential tool for navigating the complex terminology of the job market and professional development. It serves as a comprehensive reference that demystifies the jargon, acronyms, and phrases commonly encountered in various aspects of the workforce.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional brushing up on industry lingo or a new entrant to the job market seeking to understand employment-related terms, a career glossary provides clear and concise definitions to aid in your career advancement.

• Application: This is the form you fill out to ask for a job. It usually asks for your personal information, work history, and education. You might do this on paper or online. Make sure you fill it out completely and check for mistakes.
• Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS): These are computer programs that companies use to help them look at all the job applications they get. The ATS looks for certain words that match what the company wants in a worker. If your resume has those words, you have a better chance of being seen by a person. That’s why it’s important to use words from the job ad in your resume.
• Cover Letter: This is a letter you send with your resume when you apply for a job. It should say why you want the job and why you’re a good fit for it. It’s your chance to talk directly to the person who might hire you. Try to make it personal and not just a repeat of your resume.
• Customization: This means changing your resume and cover letter for each job you apply to. You look at what the job ad asks for and show how you have those skills or experiences. It’s like telling the company, “I have what you’re looking for!” This can help you stand out from other people applying for the job.
• Employer: This is the person or company that might give you a job. They are looking for the best person to fill their open job. When you apply for a job, you are trying to show the employer that you are that best person.
• Follow-up: After you apply for a job or have an interview, you contact the company to remind them about your application. This shows you’re really interested in the job. It can be an email or a phone call. Just be polite and don’t do it too many times.
• Interview: This is a meeting where the employer asks you questions to see if you’re the right person for the job. It’s your chance to show off your skills and personality. You should dress nicely and be ready to talk about your work and what you can do.
• Job Description: This tells you what a job is like and what you need to do it. It lists the skills and experience you need. Read it carefully to understand what the job is and to use the same words in your resume.
• Networking: This is when you talk to people you know, like friends or people you’ve worked with, to find a job. These people might know about a job or someone who is hiring. It’s a good way to find out about jobs that aren’t advertised.
• Online Presence: This is what you look like on the internet to employers. It includes your social media profiles and any websites or blogs you have. You want to make sure it looks professional because employers might look at it to learn more about you.
• Personal Branding: This is how you show your skills and personality to employers. It’s like what makes you different from other people looking for a job. You can show your personal brand in your resume, your online profiles, and how you talk in an interview.
• Portfolio: This is a collection of work you’ve done that you can show to employers. It might be writing, art, or projects you’ve worked on. It’s a way to show what you can do, not just talk about it.
• Qualifications: These are the skills and experiences you have that make you right for a job. They can be things you’ve learned in school, jobs you’ve had, or other things you’ve done. You want to match these to what’s in the job ad.
• References: These are people who can say good things about your work. You might need to give their names to an employer. Pick people who know how you work and will say positive things about you.
• Resilience: This is when you keep trying, even if it’s hard. Looking for a job can take a long time and you might get a lot of “no”s. But if you’re resilient, you keep going and don’t give up.
• Resume: This is a paper that lists your jobs, skills, and education. You give it to employers to show them what you can do. It should be short and easy to read. Make sure it’s up to date and doesn’t have any mistakes.
• Skills: These are things you can do that employers want. They can be things you learned at a job, like how to use a cash register, or things you’re naturally good at, like talking to people. You should list your skills on your resume.
• Tailoring: This is when you change your resume to fit the job you’re applying for. You make sure to include the skills and experiences that the job ad asks for. It’s like making a custom outfit that fits perfectly. This helps you show the employer that you’re a good match for the job.
• Unemployment: This is when you don’t have a job but you want one. It can be a tough time, but there are places that can help, like job centers or websites. Use this time to improve your skills or learn new ones.
• Vacancy: This is a job that’s open and needs someone to work in it. Companies will advertise a vacancy when they need to hire someone. When you’re looking for a job, you’re looking for vacancies that match what you can do.
• Work Experience: This is the jobs you’ve had before. It shows employers what you’ve done and what you’re good at. Even small jobs or volunteer work can count as work experience. Make sure to list this on your resume.
• Career Advancement: This is the process of moving up in your career, either by getting promotions or taking on more responsibilities at work. It’s about growing in your job and aiming for higher positions over time. You might need new skills or more experience to advance in your career.
• Career Goals: These are the targets you set for where you want to be in your career. They could be a certain job title, working for a specific company, or earning a certain amount of money. Setting goals can help you focus on what steps you need to take in your career.
• Career Path: This is the route your career takes over time. It might be a straight line to a specific goal or it could have lots of turns and changes along the way. Your career path is made up of all the jobs you have and the skills you learn.
• Career Planning: This is when you think about your career goals and how to reach them. It’s like making a map for your career. You decide what skills you need, what jobs to look for, and what steps to take next.
• Continuous Learning: This means always learning new things to help your career. It could be taking classes, going to workshops, or just reading about your field. Learning new skills can help you keep up with changes in your job and make you more valuable to employers.
• Job Satisfaction: This is how happy you are with your job. It’s important because being satisfied with your work can make you do a better job and feel better about your life. If you’re not satisfied, you might need to think about what changes you can make.
• Mentorship: This is when someone with more experience helps guide you in your career. A mentor can give you advice, help you make decisions, and introduce you to new opportunities. Having a mentor can be a big help in growing your career.
• Networking: This is when you build relationships with other people in your field. It’s not just about finding a job; it’s about sharing information, helping each other, and making connections that can help your career in the long run.
• Professional Development: This is about learning new skills or improving the ones you have to help your career. It could be through formal education, like getting a degree, or through work experiences, like leading a project. Professional development helps you grow and be ready for new opportunities.
• Skill Set: This is the collection of skills you have. It includes everything from what you learned in school to what you’ve learned on the job. Your skill set is what makes you able to do your work and what can make you right for a new job.
• Work-Life Balance: This is about having a good balance between your work and the rest of your life. It means having time for family, friends, and hobbies, not just your job. A good work-life balance can make you happier and healthier.