Jargon Buster

These are some words and phrases that you may hear a lot about when searching and applying for jobs.  Understanding what they mean may assist you when you complete an application form or are fortunate enough to be invited to an interview:

• Accountabilities – The main tasks required of the role.

• Assessment Centre – a set of tests that may be used to help in the selection of candidates after shortlisting

• Competencies – traits and behaviours that you will need to be able to perform the role

• Criteria – Standards or measures that will be used to assess your application/interview

• CV or Curriculum Vitae – a document outlining your education and work history, and skill set.

• Desirable – Things that the employer would like you to have but are not absolutely necessary

• Directorate – The overarching department that the vacancy sits within

• E & D – Equality and Diversity

• Essential – Things that you must have

• Flexi Time – the ability to work additional time each month to take time off without losing annual leave

• GCSE – General Certificate in Secondary Education

• H & S – Health and Safety

• Job Purpose – The reasons why the organisation requires this position

• NVQ – National Vocational Qualification

• PA or Per Annum – each year

• Performance Measures – Areas of performance that the role will be expected to meet to the necessary standard

• Presentation – a prepared talk about a pre defined topic

• Pro Rata - In proportion to.  This is mainly found in a job advert written against the full-time salary, where the job is part-time

• Role Profile / Job Description – Details of the position being advertised.

• Shortlisting – the method used by the recruiting organisation to select the candidates that most closely match the specifications required for the role.