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Employment

WORK EXPERIENCE /wɜːk ɪkˈspɪə.ri.ənt s/

phrase

  • a short unpaid period of time at a workplace, to gain experience of a working environment
Example Sentences:I’m working for the company unpaid for a few days just to gain work experience.
Although I was only employed by the company for a week, it was very valuable work experience.
 

SHORTLIST /ˈʃɔːt.lɪst/

noun

  • a list of people who have been judged the most suitable for a job, made from a longer list of people originally considered, and from which one person will be chosen
Example Sentences:We’ve drawn up a shortlist of five applicants for the position of head of sales.
Since the interview went so well, I’m confident of getting on the shortlist.
 

PERKS /pɜːks/

noun

  • extra things, such as money or goods, which you are given because of your job
Example Sentences:A company car and a mobile phone are some of the perks that come with the job.
One of the major perks of working for an airline is discounted or free travel.
 

EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT /ɪmˈplɔɪ.mənt ˈkɒn.trækt/

noun phrase

  • a written agreement between employer and employee stating the terms and conditions of employment
Example Sentences:According to my employment contract, I have 28 days annual leave.
As you have been repeatedly in breach of your employment contract, we’ve decided to terminate your employment with us.
 

QUALIFICATIONS /ˌkwɒl.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃəns/

noun

  • official records showing that you have finished a training course or have the necessary skills, etc
Example Sentences:You’ll never get a good job if you don’t have any qualifications.
Do you have any qualifications in book-keeping?
 

FULL-TIME JOB /ˌfʊlˈtaɪm/

adjective

  • work done for the whole of a working week
Example Sentences:She took a full-time job when her youngest child went to school.
I work full-time for an insurance company.
 

JOBSHARE /ˈdʒɒb.ʃeər/

verb

  • divide the duties and the pay of one job between two people who work at different times during the day or week
Example Sentences:The city council is encouraging jobsharing to make it easier for parents of young children to work.
Since many of our workers are married mothers, we like to encourage jobsharing.
 

CURRICULUM VITAE /kəˌrɪk.jʊ.ləmˈviː.taɪ/

noun

  • (also known as a CV or résumé) a short written description of your education, qualifications, previous jobs and sometimes also your personal interests, which you send to an employer when you are trying to get a job
Example Sentences:She sent her curriculum vitae to fifty companies, but didn't even get an interview.
Applicants interested in applying for the position should submit their CVs to the Human Resources Department no later than February 15.
 

COVERING LETTER /ˈkʌv ər ɪŋ ˈlet.ər/

noun

  • a letter someone sends together with a job application form which explains why you want to apply for the job and why you believe you are suitable for the job
Example Sentences:Please send a covering letter with your job application form.
A well-written covering letter can help you get that all-important job interview.
 

PART-TIME JOB /ˌpɑːtˈtaɪm/

adjective

  • If you have a part-time job, you work for only some of the day or the week.
Example Sentences:She’s a part-time receptionist in a medical clinic.
As I only work part-time, I don’t have to pay any income tax.
 

START-UP /ˈstɑːt.ʌp/

noun

  • a small business that has just been started
Example Sentences:Start-ups often fail in the first year of trading.
Although we’re a start-up, we’ve secured a lot business through heavy marketing.
 

JOB INTERVIEW /dʒɒb ˈɪn.tə.vjuː/

noun phrase

  • a meeting in which someone asks you questions to see if you are suitable for a job
Example Sentences:I had an interview for a job with a publishing company.
The interview didn’t go very well. I doubt I’ll get the job.
 

WHITE-COLLAR WORKER  

phrase

  • someone who works in offices, doing work that needs mental rather than physical effort
Example Sentences:Cambridge has a lot of high-tech industries employing mostly white-collar workers.
White-collar workers tend to earn considerably more than blue-collar workers.
 

BLUE-COLLAR WORKER  

phrase

  • someone who does work needing strength or physical skill rather than office work
Example Sentences:Pittsburg is a steel town, mainly populated by blue-collar workers.
Blue-collar workers tend to earn much less than skilled professionals.
 

TEMPORARY WORKER /ˈtem.pər.ər.i ˈwɜː.kər/

phrase

  • Employee who is not permanently hired but hired just for a limited period of time
Example Sentences:During the peak season, the hotel employs a number of temporary workers.
As a temporary worker, I’m not entitled to the same benefits as the permanent workers.
 
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