What do employers mean when they say…?

Reading job ads can be confusing. Sometimes, the employer uses terms you may not know. Sometimes different companies mean different things when they include terms like “more qualified” or “some experience” in job ads. This section will help you understand what companies mean when they write their job ads.

Entry-level position: Entry-level position means that workers will help other employees that rank above them in the company’s pay system. Entry-level positions usually require the least amount of education and experience in the company. Entry-level positions usually pay the least amount but can require some responsibility.

Mid-level position: Mid-level position means that workers will be paid more than entry-level employees but that they will be helping higher-level employees or managers. Mid-level positions usually require some education and/or experience. Mid-level positions usually require a fair amount of responsibility.

High-level or management position: High-level or management position means that workers will be paid the most in the company. However, these positions require the most education and/or experience. High-level or management positions also require the most responsibility in the company.

Fast-paced environment: Fast-paced environment usually means that employees must work in busy and often stressed situations.

Works well with deadlines: Works well with deadlines means that employees will probably have to complete tasks within a certain amount of time. Employees will probably be expected to work extra hours or more hours to finish these tasks by the time they are due.

Team worker: Team worker means that employees will be working with one another rather than by themselves.

Self-starter: Self-starter means that employees will work without a lot of supervision by mid- or high-level employees.

Good communication skills: Good communication skills means that employees will probably be speaking and maybe even writing to customers and with one another.

Good English skills: Good English skills means that employees will have to speak and maybe even write to customers and with one another mainly in English.

Important to look for in language description is the word that comes before “English.” For example, fair English skills means that employees may not have to have to talk a lot with customers. Only basic conversation may be necessary.

Excellent English skills, however, probably means that employees have to be able to speak with customers or one another in English a lot. Employees will probably have to be able to explain job-related information in detail using English.

Self transportation: Self transportation means that employees must be able to get themselves to either the job location or sites where jobs are being done. For example, a landscaping job may require that employees show up to the company location and the sites where landscaping is being done. However, many landscaping-type jobs require employees to show up at the company location while the company drives them to job sites.

Good driving record: Good driving record means that employees will be driving some sort of vehicle. Companies requiring good driving records will probably depend on workers to complete some part of their business. For example, a good driving record will be required for food delivery. An excellent driving record may be required for a truck delivery job since the merchandise in the truck may be very valuable.

Room for advancement: Room for advancement means that employees may be able to move from an entry-level to a mid-level position or from a mid-level to a high-level position.

Click here to download the PDF file containing sample résumés and employment letters.