Career Vocabulary Definitions

Apprenticeship -one who is learning through practical experience under the supervision of a skilled worker in a trade, art, or calling; the learner is paid throughout the process

Red Seal Trade – an apprenticeable trade certificate that is recognized across Canada

Benefits (relate to working) - a service (as health insurance) or right (as to take vacation time) provided by an employer in addition to wages or salary; eg. Extended medical, dental, life insurance, etc.

Resume – a summary of one’s accomplishments

Cover Letter – a letter of introduction that accompanies a resume; also known as a letter of application

Soft Skills - personal attributes that enhance an individual's interactions, job performance and career prospects; interpersonal and broadly applicable skills; often described by using terms often associated with personality traits, such as: optimism, common sense, responsibility, a sense of humor, integrity

Hard Skills - specific, teachable abilities that may be required in a given context, such as a job or university application. Ex. advanced ability to use spreadsheets; typing; proficiency with software applications; operating machinery; software development; speaking a foreign language; calculus

Hidden Job Market - positions that are never publicly advertised. Estimates are that only 20% of all jobs are ever advertised; 80% of jobs are filled by companies who never advertised the position. So while keeping an eye on newspaper ads/internet job search sites is important, you should also investigate the hidden job market.

Skilled Trades - occupations where a fully trained journeyperson has a four-year apprenticeship of formal and informal training; if you want to work in a compulsory skilled trade, you must apply to the apprenticeship authority in the province or territory where you will settle.

Labour Union - an organization of workers who have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions; organizations of workers seeking to improve wages and working conditions through various strategies, including negotiations and strikes

Employer - a person, firm or other entity which pays for or hires the services of another person

Employee - an individual who provides labor to a company or another person

Manager - a person responsible for controlling or administering all or part of a company or similar organization

Job Interview - a meeting to determine whether an applicant is suitable for a position of employment; both the employer and the job-seeker want to determine if the fit is right between them; first impressions are key, and preparation is critical to interviewing success.

Salary - a fixed regular payment, typically paid on a monthly or biweekly basis but often expressed as an annual sum, made by an employer to an employee

Hourly Employee – somebody who is paid a set amount of money for each hour they work

Job Posting - a notice that a job is open and will be filled; the notice usually contains a job description, short summary of the duties, qualifications and rate of pay.

Job Application - a written form for gathering information about an individual applying for a job; typical information includes the applicant's name, address, phone number, work experience, education, and references.

Working Conditions - the interpersonal relationships, physical working environments, performance demands, hours, travel and other conditions and settings required of the work; hours of work, safety, paid holidays and vacations, rest periods, free clothing or uniforms, possibilities of advancement, etc....