Job Search Glossary
Glossary of terms, including definitions, that are frequently used in employment and job searching.
Age Discrimination
HThe Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) protects certain applicants and employees 40 years of age and older from discrimination on the basis of age in hiring, promotion, discharge, compensation, or terms, conditions or privileges of employment.
HThe Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) protects certain applicants and employees 40 years of age and older from discrimination on the basis of age in hiring, promotion, discharge, compensation, or terms, conditions or privileges of employment.
Americans with Disablities Act (ADA)
If you are an American with a disability, it's important to be aware of how the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) act impacts applicants for employment.
If you are an American with a disability, it's important to be aware of how the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) act impacts applicants for employment.
Anonymous Curriculum Vitae
An anonymous curriculum vitae (CV) includes a summary of your educational and academic backgrounds as well as teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honors, affiliations and other details. Your name and other personal indentifying information are not included in order to avoid discrimination.
An anonymous curriculum vitae (CV) includes a summary of your educational and academic backgrounds as well as teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honors, affiliations and other details. Your name and other personal indentifying information are not included in order to avoid discrimination.
Back Pay
Back pay is the difference between what an employee was paid and the amount he or she should have been paid.
Back pay is the difference between what an employee was paid and the amount he or she should have been paid.
Bureau of Labor Statistics: BLS
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) - The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides labor, unemployment, economics and related facts and statistics.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) - The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides labor, unemployment, economics and related facts and statistics.
Career Coach
What a career coach is, how career coaching can help, and where to find a career coach.
What a career coach is, how career coaching can help, and where to find a career coach.
Child Labor Law
Child labor law, enacted by the Federal Government, restrict when children can work and what jobs they can do.
Child labor law, enacted by the Federal Government, restrict when children can work and what jobs they can do.
COBRA - Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) gives workers and their families who lose their health benefits the option to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan for limited periods of time under certain circumstances.
COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) gives workers and their families who lose their health benefits the option to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan for limited periods of time under certain circumstances.
Cover Letter
A cover letter is a document sent with your resume to provide additional information on your skills and experience.
A cover letter is a document sent with your resume to provide additional information on your skills and experience.
Curriculum Vitae
A curriculum vitae includes a summary of your educational and academic backgrounds as well as teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honors, affiliations and other details.
A curriculum vitae includes a summary of your educational and academic backgrounds as well as teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honors, affiliations and other details.
Employment Testing
There are several types of employment tests that candidates for employment may be asked to take. Tests can include aptitude, skills, literacy, personality, medical, and drug tests. In addition, employers may perform a background check to verify your work history and credentials.
There are several types of employment tests that candidates for employment may be asked to take. Tests can include aptitude, skills, literacy, personality, medical, and drug tests. In addition, employers may perform a background check to verify your work history and credentials.
Exit Interview
An exit interview is a meeting between an employee who has resigned or been teriminated and the company's Human Resources department.
An exit interview is a meeting between an employee who has resigned or been teriminated and the company's Human Resources department.
Family and Medical Leave Act
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) can be of assistance if you need to take time off from work because of family responsibilities. The first step is to ask your employer what Family and Medical Leave Act benefits are provided to employees.
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) can be of assistance if you need to take time off from work because of family responsibilities. The first step is to ask your employer what Family and Medical Leave Act benefits are provided to employees.
Group Interview
There are two types of group interviews. One is being interviewed by a group of interviewers, the other is being interviewed with a group of other applicants.
There are two types of group interviews. One is being interviewed by a group of interviewers, the other is being interviewed with a group of other applicants.
Holiday Pay
Holiday pay is pay for holidays, like Christmas Day, or other time not worked (like vacation) when a business may be closed or the employee is permitted to take time off from work.
Holiday pay is pay for holidays, like Christmas Day, or other time not worked (like vacation) when a business may be closed or the employee is permitted to take time off from work.
Hazard Pay
Hazard pay is additional pay for performing hazardous duty or work involving physical hardship.
Hazard pay is additional pay for performing hazardous duty or work involving physical hardship.
I-9 Form
When hired for a new job, employees are required to prove that they are legally entitled to work in the United States. An Employment Eligibility Verification form (I-9 Form) must be completed and kept on file by the employer.
When hired for a new job, employees are required to prove that they are legally entitled to work in the United States. An Employment Eligibility Verification form (I-9 Form) must be completed and kept on file by the employer.
Job Search Agent
Job seekers can set up job search agents on job sites so that they are automatically notified by e-mail when new job postings that match the criteria they set are listed.
Job seekers can set up job search agents on job sites so that they are automatically notified by e-mail when new job postings that match the criteria they set are listed.
Job Search Keywords
Using keywords to job search helps job seekers narrow search results to get targeted job listings that match their criteria.
Using keywords to job search helps job seekers narrow search results to get targeted job listings that match their criteria.
Merit Pay
Merit pay is a pay increase based on goals or achievements set by an employer, rather than a pay rate based on a union contract or a defined pay scale for a position.
Merit pay is a pay increase based on goals or achievements set by an employer, rather than a pay rate based on a union contract or a defined pay scale for a position.
Mini Resume
A mini resume is a summary of your education, work experience, credentials, and accomplishments.
A mini resume is a summary of your education, work experience, credentials, and accomplishments.
Last Paycheck
When will you receive your last paycheck if you resign or are terminated from your job? It depends on state law and on company policy.
When will you receive your last paycheck if you resign or are terminated from your job? It depends on state law and on company policy.
Minimum Wage
Minimum Wage - The current minimum wage, which employers are required to pay a minimum wage, and the federal and minimum wage for each state.
Minimum Wage - The current minimum wage, which employers are required to pay a minimum wage, and the federal and minimum wage for each state.
Non Compete Agreement
A non compete agreement is a contract between an employee and an employer, where the employee agrees not to enter into competition with the employer after s/he terminates employment.
A non compete agreement is a contract between an employee and an employer, where the employee agrees not to enter into competition with the employer after s/he terminates employment.
Occupational Outlook Handbook
The Occupational Outlook Handbook describes what workers do on the job, working conditions, the training and education needed, earnings, and expected job prospects in a wide range of occupations.
The Occupational Outlook Handbook describes what workers do on the job, working conditions, the training and education needed, earnings, and expected job prospects in a wide range of occupations.
One Stop Career Centers
One Stop Career Centers are located throughout the United States. They provide training, employment services and job search assistance.
One Stop Career Centers are located throughout the United States. They provide training, employment services and job search assistance.
Overtime
Workers earning less than $23,660 per year ($455 per week) are guaranteed overtime protection, however, there are exemptions to the overtime regulations.
Workers earning less than $23,660 per year ($455 per week) are guaranteed overtime protection, however, there are exemptions to the overtime regulations.
Resume
A resume is a written compilation of your education, work experience, credentials, and accomplishments and is used to apply for jobs.
A resume is a written compilation of your education, work experience, credentials, and accomplishments and is used to apply for jobs.
Severance Pay
Severance pay may be given to employees upon termination of employment. Severance pay is usually based on length of employment.
Severance pay may be given to employees upon termination of employment. Severance pay is usually based on length of employment.
Sexual Harassment - Hiring
Sexual harassment can occur in pre-employment hiring when unwelcome sexual advances (requests for sexual favors) are made as a term of employment, implicity or explicity.
Sexual harassment can occur in pre-employment hiring when unwelcome sexual advances (requests for sexual favors) are made as a term of employment, implicity or explicity.
Social Security Disability Insurance
Social Security Disability Insurance enables workers who are employed in covered employment and who have a medical condition that meets Social Security's definition of disability to collect benefits while they are unable to work.
Social Security Disability Insurance enables workers who are employed in covered employment and who have a medical condition that meets Social Security's definition of disability to collect benefits while they are unable to work.
Targeted Resume
A targeted resume focuses on a specific job opening that the candidate is applying for. The targeted resume is written to highlight the skills and experiences relevant to a particular position. When sending targeted resumes, the resume with be edited / rewritten for each job the candidate applies to.
A targeted resume focuses on a specific job opening that the candidate is applying for. The targeted resume is written to highlight the skills and experiences relevant to a particular position. When sending targeted resumes, the resume with be edited / rewritten for each job the candidate applies to.
Two Weeks Notice
Giving two weeks notice is the standard practice when resigning from a job.
Giving two weeks notice is the standard practice when resigning from a job.
Tips and Pay
hen an employee (typically waitstaff or a similar occupation) receives tips, the employer is only required to pay $2.13 per hour in wages.
hen an employee (typically waitstaff or a similar occupation) receives tips, the employer is only required to pay $2.13 per hour in wages.
Unemployment
Unemployment eligibility requirements, when to file, how to file, benefits, rates, and answers to questions on unemployment compensation.
Unemployment eligibility requirements, when to file, how to file, benefits, rates, and answers to questions on unemployment compensation.
US Department of Labor
The US Labor Department provides unemployment and employment data and statistics, worker and labor information, forms, and information on employment-related laws, regulations and compliance.
The US Labor Department provides unemployment and employment data and statistics, worker and labor information, forms, and information on employment-related laws, regulations and compliance.
W-2 Form
Employers may ask for copies of your W2 forms to verify your compensation prior to making a job offer. If you don't have copies of your past W-2 forms you can ask your employer(s) for a copy or order copies of your past tax returns directly from the IRS.
Employers may ask for copies of your W2 forms to verify your compensation prior to making a job offer. If you don't have copies of your past W-2 forms you can ask your employer(s) for a copy or order copies of your past tax returns directly from the IRS.
W-4 Form
The W-4 Form is completed by an employee so the employer can withhold the correct amount of federal income tax from your pay.
The W-4 Form is completed by an employee so the employer can withhold the correct amount of federal income tax from your pay.
Workers' Compensation
Employees who are injured or become ill on the job are covered by state workers' compensation laws. In every state, employers are required to have workers' compensation insurance though there are a few exemptions.
Employees who are injured or become ill on the job are covered by state workers' compensation laws. In every state, employers are required to have workers' compensation insurance though there are a few exemptions.