Career & Hiring Glossary
Your comprehensive guide to understanding Applicant Tracking Systems, resume formatting, and modern hiring terminology.
Action Verb
A dynamic word used to start a resume bullet point.
Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
Software used by employers to collect, scan, and rank resumes.
ATS Score
A numerical rating assigned by an Applicant Tracking System based on how well a resume matches a job description.
Behavioral Interview
An interview format focused entirely on past behavior.
Boolean Search
A type of search allowing users to combine keywords with operators.
Career Pivot
A deliberate transition into a different role, function, or industry.
Chronological Resume
A layout listing work experience in reverse time order.
Cold Email
An unsolicited email sent to a potential contact or hiring manager.
Competency-Based Interview
An interview format structured around evaluating specific, predefined professional competencies.
Counter Offer
A response to a job offer or resignation that proposes alternative terms.
Cover Letter
A complementary document introducing yourself to a hiring manager.
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
A comprehensive document detailing academic and professional history.
Elevator Pitch
A 30-to-60-second summary of your career background and goals.
Employment Gap
A period of time between jobs with no formal employment listed on a resume.
Executive Summary
A concise overview at the top of a resume highlighting key value.
Functional Resume
A layout focusing heavily on skills rather than work history.
Hard Skills
Teachable, measurable abilities required for a specific job.
Hiring Manager
The person who will directly manage the successful candidate and holds the final hiring decision.
Hybrid Resume
Combines a heavy focus on skills with a chronological timeline.
Informational Interview
A casual conversation with a professional to gather career insights.
Job Board
An online platform where employers post open positions and candidates search for roles.
Job Description Analysis
The process of systematically dissecting a job posting to extract critical requirements.
Keyword Stuffing
The practice of excessively repeating words to manipulate ranking.
Knockout Question
A mandatory criteria question within an online job application.
LinkedIn Profile Optimization
The process of enhancing a LinkedIn profile to maximize recruiter discovery and engagement.
Offer Letter
A formal written document from an employer outlining the terms of employment.
Passive Candidate
A professional who is not actively job searching but is open to exceptional opportunities.
Personal Branding
The deliberate management of how you are perceived professionally across all channels.
Phone Screen
An initial brief call conducted by a recruiter to assess basic candidate fit.
Professional Networking
The practice of building and maintaining relationships that create mutual professional value.
Quantified Achievement
A resume bullet point that uses specific numbers to demonstrate measurable impact.
Reference Check
A pre-employment verification process where an employer contacts a candidate's former managers or colleagues.
Resume Parsing
The automated extraction of text from a resume document.
Salary Negotiation
The process of reaching a mutually agreed-upon compensation package for a new role.
SAR Formula
The optimal structure for writing resume bullet points.
Skills Gap
The difference between the skills you currently have and the skills required for a target role.
Soft Skills
Interpersonal traits and communication abilities.
STAR Method
An interview technique for answering behavioral questions.
Talent Community
A database of passive candidates managed by a company.
Technical Interview
An interview stage that evaluates a candidate's domain-specific technical competencies.
Transferable Skills
Skills gained in one role or industry that are directly applicable to another.
White Space
The intentional use of empty space in a resume layout to improve readability.