When preparing for a job interview Vocabulary, it’s essential to be familiar with the vocabulary commonly used in this setting. Understanding and effectively using interview-specific terms can help you communicate your skills, experience, and qualifications more clearly and confidently. This guide introduces beginners to key job interview vocabulary, covering important concepts like “qualifications,” “experience,” “skills,” “responsibilities,” and “achievements.” By mastering these terms, you’ll be better equipped to answer questions, present yourself professionally, and make a strong impression on potential employers.
In this article, we’ll dive into the rich tapestry of terms that define the conversation surrounding environmental stewardship.
Job Interview Vocabulary
Applicant
An individual who applies for a job position. Submits resumes and cover letters to express interest and qualifications.
Resume
A document summarizing an individual’s background, including work experience, education, and skills, typically required for job applications.
Cover Letter
A letter provided by a job seeker to introduce themselves, highlight key experiences, and explain their suitability for the position.
Interviewer
The person responsible for conducting the job interview. They assess the qualifications and fit of candidates for the position.
Recruiter
A professional who specializes in finding and attracting candidates for open job positions, often working within HR or staffing agencies.
Background Check
A verification process where an employer checks the criminal record, employment history, and academic records of a potential hire.
References
Contacts provided by a candidate who can vouch for their abilities, character, and experience, typically past employers or colleagues.
Qualifications
The degrees, experiences, and skills that make an applicant suitable for a particular job. Often listed in the job description.
Competencies
Abilities and skills that allow a candidate to perform job tasks effectively. Can be technical skills or interpersonal qualities.
Portfolio
A collection of work samples or projects that showcase the candidate’s skills and qualifications. Often used in creative fields.
Panel Interview
An interview format where a candidate is questioned by multiple people at once, often used to gauge interaction with different team members.
Behavioral Interview
An interview technique that asks candidates to describe past behavior as a predictor of future performance in similar situations.
Screening Interview
A preliminary interview, often short, to determine if candidates have the basic qualifications needed for the job before proceeding further.
One-on-One Interview
An interview between one interviewer and one candidate. Focuses deeply on the candidate’s qualifications and compatibility with the company culture.
Group Interview
An interview setting where multiple candidates are interviewed together, testing how they interact with peers and respond to group dynamics.
Salary Negotiation
The process where an applicant and employer discuss and agree upon the compensation package for a job position.
Job Offer
A formal proposal by an employer to a candidate to take a specific job position, detailing the terms of employment.
Onboarding
The process of integrating a new employee into the company, including training and the completion of any necessary paperwork.
Soft Skills
Interpersonal skills that influence how effectively individuals can work or interact with others, such as communication and empathy.
Hard Skills
Specific, teachable abilities or skill sets that are measurable, like proficiency in a software program or a foreign language.
Fit Interview
An interview designed to assess whether a candidate’s values, interests, and behavior are in alignment with the company’s culture.
Stress Interview
An interview designed to put the candidate under pressure and assess how they handle stress, often by posing challenging scenarios.
Case Interview
A type of interview in which the candidate is asked to solve a business problem, testing analytical skills and problem-solving ability.
Follow-Up
The action taken by a candidate after an interview to thank the interviewers and reiterate their interest in the position.
Rejection Letter
A letter sent to unsuccessful candidates after a job interview, informing them that they have not been selected for the position.
Thank You Note
A note sent by a candidate after an interview expressing gratitude for the opportunity to interview and reaffirming interest in the position.
Counter Offer
A response given by a candidate when they receive a job offer but want to negotiate the terms of the offer before accepting.
Job Description
A document that outlines the responsibilities, duties, qualifications, and skills required for a specific job position.
Candidate Pool
The group of applicants from which a hiring manager or recruiter selects candidates to interview for an open position.
Hiring Manager
The person in an organization responsible for making hiring decisions. Often the future manager of the position being filled.
Job And Work Vocabulary
Job Market
The availability of employment and the demand for workers within a specific industry or geographic area.
Career Path
A sequence of jobs that help an individual progress towards their ultimate career goals and objectives.
Telecommuting
Working from a remote location, outside of a traditional office setting, often from home, utilizing internet connectivity.
Freelance
Working independently, selling services to multiple clients on a project-by-project basis without long-term employer commitment.
Full-Time
Employment in which a person works a minimum number of hours defined as such by their employer.
Part-Time
Employment that involves fewer hours per week than a full-time job, often at varying times or days.
Shift Work
A work scheduling system designed to operate 24/7 by rotating employees across morning, afternoon, and night shifts.
Internship
A temporary position that typically involves following a professional to gain relevant skills and experience in a particular field.
Apprenticeship
A system of training a new generation of practitioners of a trade or profession with on-the-job training and often some accompanying study.
Workforce
The group of people who are engaged in or available for work, either in a specific area or in a specific industry.
Salary
Regular payment, usually provided monthly or biweekly, given to an employee from an employer for their professional services.
Wage
Compensation received by workers, typically calculated on an hourly, daily, or per-task basis for labor.
Compensation
All forms of financial returns and tangible benefits that employees receive as part of an employment relationship.
Benefits
Non-wage compensations provided to employees in addition to their normal salaries or wages.
Job Security
The probability that an individual will keep their job; a secure job is one from which they are unlikely to be fired.
Promotion
The advancement of an employee’s rank or position in an organizational hierarchy system.
Retirement
The point in time when an employee chooses to leave the workforce permanently.
Unemployment
The state of being without a job, but actively looking for one and willing to work.
Layoff
A temporary or permanent discharge of a large number of employees for economic reasons.
Turnover
The rate at which employees leave a company and are replaced by new employees.
Employer
An individual or organization that hires and pays people to work on their behalf.
Employee
An individual who works part-time or full-time under a contract of employment, whether oral or written, express or implied.
Supervisor
A person who manages or oversees the work of others, especially employees in professional settings.
Subordinate
An employee who reports to someone else within the company hierarchy, usually a supervisor or manager.
Human Resources (HR)
The division of a company that is focused on activities relating to employees, including hiring, training, and compliance.
Outsourcing
The business practice of hiring a party outside a company to perform services and create goods that traditionally were performed in-house.
Work-life Balance
The equilibrium between personal life and professional responsibilities, allowing for healthy stress management and personal well-being.
On-the-job Training
Training provided by an employer during the working hours to improve the skills and knowledge of employees.
Job Satisfaction
The feeling of fulfillment or enjoyment that a person derives from their job.
Performance Review
A periodic evaluation performed by an employer assessing an employee’s job performance and productivity.
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Jobs And Occupations Vocabulary
- Accountant: Manages financial records and audits.
- Architect: Designs buildings and supervises construction.
- Chef: Prepares and cooks food professionally.
- Dentist: Cares for patients’ dental health.
- Engineer: Solves problems with technical solutions.
- Farmer: Cultivates land and raises livestock.
- Graphic Designer: Creates visual content for media.
- Journalist: Reports news, writes articles regularly.
- Lawyer: Advises clients, represents in court.
- Nurse: Provides care for patients.
- Pharmacist: Dispenses medications, advises on use.
- Photographer: Captures images, edits photos.
- Pilot: Operates aircraft, navigates flights.
- Plumber: Installs and repairs water systems.
- Psychologist: Studies mental processes, provides therapy.
- Real Estate Agent: Sells and rents properties.
- Scientist: Researches, experiments in various fields.
- Teacher: Educates students, develops lesson plans.
- Veterinarian: Treats animals medically.