Human resources and recruitment – Vocabulary and Phrases
a vacancy – an open, available job or position
My company posted a vacancy for a personal assistant to the manager.
a training – a process of preparing someone for a job
Before you start a new job, the company usually gives you a two-week training on the system and procedures.
an interview – a meeting at which someone applying for a job is asked questions by the future employer
I was invited for an interview at a big consulting company, but I didn't succeed.
to have an interview at a company
Tomorrow I have an interview at Microsoft. I really want this job.
education – a process of learning at school or university
What is your education? I have a degree in management from the Boston University.
work experience – a process of learning how to do things by doing them and not by studying
I don't have much work experience, but I have a good education.
computer skills – what you know about working with computers, ability to work with computers
It is important to have good computer skills if you want to find a job in a big company.
communication skills – ability to communicate with people, how you talk to them
Our receptionist had poor communication skills. She never gave you the information you wanted.
an application – a formal request for something, a form saying that you want a job
Please, send us the application form together with your CV.
benefits – an extra thing you get from your employer, such as a company car or lunch tickets
One of the benefits in my company is a free lunch at the canteen.
medical insurance – money you get from a special company to pay for the hospital, the doctor or medicines
Who pays for your medical insurance? My employer.
private health care – doctors and hospitals that get money for their services from people and not from insurance companies
Only top managers get to use the private health care. It is very expensive.
an annual bonus – extra money you get once a year from the company
This year the annual bonus will be very small. The company has some financial problems.
performance bonus – extra money you get for good results at work
He is a good sales representative and he receives a high performance bonus.
to relocate – to change the place where the company is, to move to another place
Our company relocated to India to pay lower salaries and taxes. I need a new job.
to apply for a job – to send a CV or a form saying you are interested in a particular job
A lot of people applied for this job, so I don’t think I will get it.
to look for a job – to try to get a job
I have been looking for a job for 6 months and still nothing. I am really desperate.
to find a job – to get a job
It is not easy to find a job when you have 2 small children.
to lose a job – not to have a job anymore
He lost his job because they closed the factory.
an up-to-date CV – a CV with the most recent information about a person
My CV is not up-to-date. I have to write there about my latest work experience.
a cover letter – a letter saying why a person wants to work for a specific company
Make sure there are not any spelling mistakes in your cover letter. It is as important as your CV.
advertisement – a job offer in a newspaper or a magazine
I found an interesting job advertisement in the newspaper.
to increase a salary – to give somebody more money for their work
I hope they will increase my salary soon. The money I am getting now is not enough.
to recruit – to find new people for different positions in the company
The agency recruited him after he finished his university.
recruitment – the process of recruiting
The recruitment process in their company is very long and complicated.
to hire – to give somebody a job
My company is hiring 20 new people. If you want, you can apply.
to fire – when your manager tells you that they don't want you to work for the company anymore
They fired him because he came drunk to work.
temporary position – a job for a specific time, e.g. for summer or for 6 months
It is only a temporary job. They will close the open-air cinema in September so I will have nothing more to do there.
permanent position – when your contract does not say when your employment will finish
They offered me a permanent position in the laboratory, but I am not sure if I want to spend all my life there.
to sign a contract – to sign an agreement that you will work for the company for a specific salary
After the interview they offered me the job and I signed the contract.
to quit – to say you don’t want to work for the company anymore
I don't like my job and the salary is low. I think I'm going to quit.
working conditions – circumstances you work in, what your situation at work is, working hours, office equipment, benefits, etc.
There are really poor working conditions here: old computers, no coffee breaks, and long working hours.
flexible working hours – when you start and finish work when you want
I have flexible working hours so I can leave work earlier tomorrow and buy the present for your mother.