Job Search Terms Every Job Seeker Needs To Know

The job search has its own unique language. If you don’t know the lingo, you’re going to get left in the dust. It’s time to familiarize yourself with these common job search terms ASAP.

The job search terms we list below aren’t crazy and mysterious terms. They are all quite common and they apply to all job seekers in all fields. Once you start narrowing the job search down into specific niches and industries, a whole new set of of words and terms become important. The following list applies to everyone – from dishwashers to rocket scientists.

Familiarize yourself with these job search terms and you’ll be one step closer to landing a job:

• Action Verbs – Action verbs bring your resume and cover letter to life. Use words that paint a picture of what you’ve accomplished.
• Applicant Tracking Systems – ATS screens resumes and job candidate info. It’s important to craft an ATS-friendly resume so that you’ll make it the interview round.
• Background Check – The vast majority of employers will perform a background check to verify your resume. They usually check for criminal records, drugs, credit history, educational background, employment verifications, etc.
• Benefits – Benefits go above and beyond your monetary salary. Employers may offer you paid vacation, medical insurance, sick days, retirement plans, tuition assistance, stock options, child care, or other cool perks. Benefits add up quickly and are always something to consider.
• Culture – A company’s culture is how the company operates on a personal level. It’s the behaviors, the values, the beliefs, and the interactions that happen outside of the normal business.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) – A CV is a detailed list of your life accomplishments highlighting your academic and professional achievements. It is not the same as a resume.
• Elevator Speech – The elevator speech is your 30-second resume. It’s your chance to sell yourself in a quick and succinct manner at a networking event, in a job interview, or in an elevator.
• Entrepreneur – An entrepreneur is someone who creates, launches, and runs their own business. They are not employed by anyone else.
• Freelancer/Independent Contractor – Freelancers complete contract work for a variety of different businesses in a specialized niche like writing, graphic design, or web design.
• Hidden Job Market – The Hidden Job Market is the job openings that don’t come across your radar. These are filled internally or through professional networks before they even hit the mainstream.
• Internship – Internships are temporary positions that offer on-the-job training. They may be paid or unpaid. It’s an excellent way to build a resume or get your foot in the door of a cool company.
• Job Shadow – A job shadow is work experience that may last a day or two. It’s ideal for students who want to glimpse what a job is really like.
• Keywords – Keywords are words that hold more weight on a job application or resume. They will help to catch the eye of a hiring manager and help your resume beat ATS systems.
• Mentor – A mentor is a trusted and experienced adviser who can help guide your career path. They are there to answer your questions and point you in the right direction.
• Networking – Life is about who you know, not who you are. Take the time to build your personal and professional connections. You never know who is going to be able to help you get ahead.
• Personal Brand – Personal branding is the idea of marketing YOU. It’s creating a brand mentality for your career. It’s the idea of packaging yourself as someone that others want to work with.
• Portfolio – In many careers, your work highlights your abilities. If this pertains to you, you need to shine the spotlight on your best work and create a professional portfolio that you can put online and send off with job applications.
• References – References are people who are willing to speak positively about you. It’s your job to maintain your references so that when you need to list them for a job application, they are ready and willing to tell your new employer what you are all about.
• Resume – Your resume is your personal highlight reel. It is a summary of your professional achievements that is customizable for each and every job application.
• Salary – Salary is the amount of money you will be paid by an employer.
• Social Networking – Just like networking, you need to build an online presence that allows you to interact with others in the digital world.
• Telecommute/Work From Home – Today’s technology allows many people to work from the comfort of home. This is a huge perk that can do wonders for your work life balance.
• Transferable Skills – Transferable skills are the skills that translate from one job to the next.
• Volunteering – Volunteering is the act of offering your skills, talents, and time for free to a non-profit organization. It’s a great way to build a resume.

If you know these job search terms, you’re one step ahead of the competition. That’s means it’s time to search and apply for jobs on the JobMonkey JobCenter. Best of luck!