Understanding English Job Postings: Keywords and Phrases

English language skills go a long way toward enhancing employability in competitive job markets. Those who are new to English, however, may be at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to evaluating job postings. 

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Anybody who is not familiar with the typical wordings and phrases commonly used in job advertisements can be confused about whether a particular job is the right fit for them. In other words, you must develop a thorough understanding of the terminology used in job posting to filter out and apply for jobs that match your qualifications, interests, and preferences.  

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This article demystifies English terms and phrases commonly used in job postings to help you understand what employers are looking for and make your application stand out.

Job Title and Position

The job title is usually the first thing you’ll see in a job posting. It gives an overview of the role, indicates the level of seniority required, and outlines the specific skills, qualifications, and functions relevant to the role. 

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Here are some common job titles and what they imply:

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• Manager/Director: This title indicates a leadership role, often requiring significant experience in leading a team or department.
  
  
• Coordinator/Administrator: These roles are usually entry-level or mid-level positions that involve organizing and managing specific tasks or projects.
  
  
• Specialist/Expert: This title suggests a high level of expertise in a particular area, often requiring advanced qualifications and experience.
  
  
• Assistant/Associate: These are typically entry-level positions that support more senior staff.

Responsibilities and Duties

Job postings outline the main responsibilities and duties associated with a particular role. Look for verbs that indicate what you’ll be doing on a daily basis:

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• Manage: This means you will be overseeing people, projects, or processes.
  
  
• Coordinate: This involves organizing different elements to ensure they work together effectively.
  
  
• Develop: It means creating new ideas, products, or strategies.
  
  
• Analyze: It involves examining data or processes to draw conclusions.
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• Support: This means assisting others with tasks and projects.
  
  
• Implement: It involves putting plans or projects into action.

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Qualifications and Skills

Employers list the qualifications and skills required for the job to ensure candidates have the necessary background and abilities. 

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These are typically divided into two categories:

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• Mandatory Qualifications: These are essential requirements, such as degrees, certifications, or specific technical skills.
  
  
• Preferred Qualifications: These are additional skills or experiences that are beneficial but not a must-have.

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Some common qualifications and skills mentioned in job postings include:

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• Degree (in a particular field): It specifies the minimum educational qualification for a role. For instance, a Bachelor’s degree or a Master’s degree. 
• Years of Experience: This indicates the amount of professional experience needed for the job. For instance, ‘5+ years of experience in project management’.
• Technical Skills: It refers to specialized knowledge or the ability to use particular technological tools or software. For instance, ‘proficiency in Microsoft Office’, or ‘Knowledge of SQL’.
• Soft Skills: These are interpersonal abilities and traits, like strong communication skills, or the ability to work in a team. 

Company Culture and Values

Every place of work has a unique work culture, code of conduct, and values it deems important to uphold. Understanding a company’s culture and values is key to determining if you are a good fit. Job postings often include descriptions of the company’s work environment and core values. 

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Here are some examples:

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• Collaborative: It emphasizes teamwork and working together towards common goals.
  
  
• Innovative: Indicates a focus on creativity and developing new ideas or products.
  
  
• Customer-focused: Prioritizes meeting the needs and expectations of customers.
  
  
• Fast-paced: It indicates a dynamic and often high-pressure work environment.
  
  
• Diverse and Inclusive: It refers to valuing a wide range of perspectives and backgrounds.

Keywords and Phrases

Job postings use specific keywords and phrases to attract the right candidates to different roles. 

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Here are some commonly used keywords and their meanings:

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• Self-starter: It means someone who can work independently without much supervision.
  
  
• Results-oriented: Describes someone who is focused on achieving specific outcomes and goals.
  
  
• Detail-oriented: It refers to someone who is meticulous and pays close attention to detail and accuracy.
  
  
• Multitasker: It means someone who is capable of handling multiple tasks simultaneously.
  
  
• Proactive: It describes someone who takes initiative and anticipates needs or issues before they arise.
  
  
• Dynamic: It refers to someone who is flexible and able to adapt to changing situations.

Application Instructions

Many employers provide specific guidelines on how to apply for a role. It could involve filling out a form on the company’s website, providing work samples in a particular format, or answering a list of questions to determine eligibility. It’s important to read and adhere to application instructions carefully to avoid rejection. 

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Here are some keywords and phrases commonly used in application instructions, and what they indicate:

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• Submit a Resume/CV: You need to submit a document outlining your work history, education, and skills.
  
  
• Cover Letter: You must write a letter explaining why you’re interested in the job and how your background makes you a suitable candidate.
  
  
• References: You may need to provide contacts who can vouch for your qualifications and work ethic.
  
  
• Portfolio: For creative roles, you might need to submit samples of your work.

Salary and Benefits

Not all job postings include salary information, but when they do, it provides insight into the compensation package. 

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Here are some words and phrases concerning salary and benefits you need to be familiar with:

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• Competitive Salary: It implies that the salary is in line with industry standards.
  
  
• Bonus/Commission: This refers to additional earnings based on performance.
  
  
• Benefits Package: it includes perks such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.

Location and Work Environment

Job postings usually specify the location and type of work environment by using some of these words and phrases:

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• Remote: This indicates that the job can be done from anywhere.
  
  
• On-site: This means you need to work in person at a specified location.
  
  
• Hybrid: This refers to a mix of remote and on-site work.
  
  
• Travel Required: This indicates that the job involves traveling to different locations.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statements

Many companies include an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) statement to show their commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace.

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• Equal Opportunity Employer: It means the company does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability.
  
  
• Affirmative Action: It indicates proactive efforts to improve employment opportunities for underrepresented groups.

Understanding Industry-Specific Jargon

Every industry has its own terminology and distinct use of English words and phrases. The word ‘derivative’ for instance, has radically different meanings in science and finance. Words like ‘premium’, ‘assets’, and ‘capital’, likewise, can mean completely different things depending on the industry using it. If you’re unfamiliar with any word, do a dictionary search using the particular context of its usage. 

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Here are some examples of industry-specific jargon from various sectors:

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• IT/Tech: Phrases like 'Agile methodology', 'DevOps', and 'Cloud computing'.
  
  
• Marketing: Terms like 'SEO', 'PPC', and 'Content strategy'.
  
  
• Finance: Phrases like 'Financial modeling', 'Risk management', and 'Compliance'.
  
  
• Healthcare: Terms like 'Patient care', 'Electronic Health Records (EHR)', and 'Clinical trials'.

Tips for Tailoring Your Application

Now that we have the keywords and phrases used in job postings under the belt, here are some proven ways of tailoring your job application to each role and company: 

• Match Keywords: Use the same keywords and phrases from the job posting in your resume and cover letter.
  
  
• Highlight Relevant Experience: Focus on the work experience and achievements most relevant to the role you’re applying for, especially those that show you as a top contender.
  
  
• Customize Your Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that addresses the specific role and company, rather than copy-pasting the same text for every application.
  
  
• Show Enthusiasm: Express your interest in the role and the company by mentioning specific projects and company details from the website or its social media pages.
  
  
• Proofread: Ensure your application and supporting documents are free of typos, formatting errors, or other inconsistencies.

Demystify Job Postings with Immigo 

Understanding common key words and phrases used in English job postings makes navigating the job market so much easier. 

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Each job posting is a unique opportunity to show your skills and how you fit the role. So take the time to understand and respond to the specific language and requirements of each position. 

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At Immigo, our English learning classes are designed to help you decode job postings and apply effectively—whether you just entered the job market or are a professional looking to advance your career. 

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Explore the wide selection of Immigo English courses specially curated for non-native speakers aiming to achieve quick fluency. 

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Get started today by enhancing your job application skills with Immigo!

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