Study Notes: Core Vocabulary - Chapter on Employment

Welcome to the "Employment" vocabulary chapter! This is one of the most useful topics you will learn, as it covers the language needed to find work, apply for jobs, and understand your rights in a professional setting.
Don't worry if this seems like a big topic; we are going to break it down into simple, easy-to-remember sections. Let’s get started!

Section 1: Defining Work and Roles

In this section, we look at the basic terms for different types of work and the people involved.

Key Definitions: People and Roles
  • Employee: This is you! The person who is hired to do a job. (Think: Employee Earns money).
  • Employer: The person or company that hires employees and pays them. (The boss).
  • Colleague: A person you work with. They are your co-worker. (Example: My colleague, Maria, helps me with the reports.)
  • Manager/Supervisor: The person in charge of you and your colleagues. They supervise (watch over) your work.
Types of Employment Status

Not all jobs are the same length or require the same amount of time. Understanding the difference is crucial.

  • Full-time: Working the maximum number of hours per week (usually 35–40 hours).
    Analogy: A full-time job is like eating a complete, three-course meal every day!
  • Part-time: Working fewer hours than a full-time job (e.g., 20 hours per week).
  • Permanent: A job that has no planned end date. It is steady and long-term.
  • Temporary/Contract: A job that lasts only for a specific period (e.g., 6 months, or just for the summer).
  • Self-employed: When you work for yourself rather than for a company. You are your own boss. (Example: Freelancers or independent consultants are self-employed.)
Quick Takeaway: Section 1

Remember the relationship: The Employer hires the Employee, and they work together as Colleagues.

Section 2: Finding a Job – The Application Process Vocabulary

When you are ready to find work, you will encounter many specific vocabulary words related to searching and applying.

Step 1: The Search
  • Vacancy (or Opening): A job position that is available and needs to be filled. (Example: The store posted a vacancy for a cashier.)
  • Job Advertisement (Ad): A notice, often online or in a newspaper, describing the vacant job and asking people to apply.
  • To Apply: To formally ask for the job by submitting your documents.
  • Prerequisites: The necessary skills, experience, or qualifications you must have before applying. (Example: A prerequisite for this job is fluency in Spanish.)
Step 2: Documentation

You usually need two main documents when you apply for a job:

  • CV (Curriculum Vitae) / Résumé: A detailed document listing your education, work experience, skills, and qualifications.
    Memory Aid: CV lists your whole Life path (Vitae is Latin for 'life').
  • Cover Letter: A formal letter that you send with your CV. It explains *why* you want the job and *why* you are the best person for it.
  • Reference: A formal statement from a former employer or teacher who can confirm your skills and character. You usually need to provide their contact details.
Step 3: The Interview
  • Shortlist: A small selection of the best applicants chosen to proceed to the interview stage.
  • Interview: A formal meeting where the employer asks you questions to see if you are suitable for the job.
  • Trial Period (or Probation Period): A time (e.g., the first 3 months) where the employer tests whether the new employee is suitable before confirming permanent employment.
  • To Offer the Position: When the employer formally tells the applicant they have won the job.
Common Mistake to Avoid!

Do not confuse:
Interview (The meeting where you are asked questions)
Review (A meeting to discuss your performance after you have been working for a while)

Section 3: Pay, Benefits, and Formal Agreements

These terms relate to the financial and legal side of having a job.

Money Matters (Salary and Wages)
  • Salary: A fixed amount of money paid to an employee, usually paid monthly or annually, regardless of the exact hours worked. (Often used for professional, permanent jobs).
  • Wage: Money paid to an employee based on the number of hours or days they worked (usually paid weekly or bi-weekly).
  • Hourly Rate: The amount of money earned for every hour worked. (Example: The hourly rate is $15.)
  • Overtime: Extra hours worked beyond the normal schedule, often paid at a higher rate.
  • Benefits: Extra things an employer provides in addition to the salary, such as paid vacation, health insurance, or a retirement plan.
Formal Agreements and Changes
  • Contract: A formal, written legal agreement between the employee and the employer outlining the terms of the job (pay, hours, duties, etc.).
  • Promotion: When an employee moves to a higher rank or more responsible job within the same company. (Example: She got a promotion from Assistant to Manager.)
  • Resignation: When an employee formally decides to leave a job. They usually "hand in their notice."
  • Dismissal (or Firing): When an employer formally ends a person's employment, often due to poor performance or misconduct.
Did You Know?

If you leave a job, you must often give two weeks' or one month's Notice. This is the period of time you must continue working after you resign, so the company has time to find a replacement.

Section 4: Describing Skills and Qualifications

When writing your CV or attending an interview, you need vocabulary to talk about what you can do and what you have learned.

Academic Terms
  • Qualification: An official record proving that you have successfully completed a course or training (e.g., a diploma, a degree, or a certificate).
  • Degree: A high-level qualification awarded by a university (e.g., Bachelor’s or Master’s).
  • Experience: The knowledge or skill you gain by doing something for a period of time.
Transferable Skills (Skills you can use in any job)

These are the positive adjectives you should use to describe yourself to an employer.

  • Reliable: You always do what you promise to do.
  • Punctual: You are always on time.
  • Motivated: You are enthusiastic and eager to work hard.
  • Team Player: Someone who works well with others in a group.
  • Organised: Someone who plans their work effectively and keeps their materials tidy.
  • Adaptable: Someone who can quickly adjust to new conditions or changes.
Memory Aid: P.R.O. A.T. (Positive, Reliable, Organised, Adaptable, Team Player)

Practice putting these words into sentences!
Example: "I am a motivated and reliable person who is also a strong team player."

Comprehensive Quick Review of Employment Vocabulary

Use this list to check your understanding of the essential terms in this chapter:

The Worker: Employee, Colleague, Manager
The Work Schedule: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent, Temporary
Finding the Job: Vacancy, CV/Résumé, Cover Letter, Interview
Payment: Salary, Wage, Hourly Rate, Benefits
The Agreement: Contract, Promotion, Resignation, Dismissal

Keep practicing these terms! Being confident with this vocabulary will give you a major advantage in your English studies and in the real world when you start looking for work! Good luck!