Careers Jargon Buster
Confused by terms you've heard employers use in the recruitment process?
Becky Law, a Careers Consultant at Queen's University Belfast's Careers, Employability & Skills is here to help with her jargon-busting guide.
Careers
We in the Careers team encourage you to try new things, meet new people, build skills and experience and help you make an informed choice about your future.
Employability
This is a set of achievements, skills and personal attributes that make you more likely to get a job. Careers can help you progress your employability by helping you to develop new skills and explore the right opportunities.
Career Readiness
This is how prepared you are for the world of work. We can help you get future-ready by giving you access to work-based learning opportunities.
Non-Linear Careers
You are not limited to working in jobs directly related to your degree subject, there are lots of graduate opportunities in a range of industries open to any student.
Competencies
Competencies describe a combination of your knowledge, skills, abilities and behaviours. Find out more at our Future-Ready Skills Bitesize online sessions.
Transferable Skills
These are the skills you use in every job which enhance your employability, career prospects and personal growth. Sign up for a Careers event to build on these.
Networking
Don't be intimidated by the idea of networking. It's really just putting yourself out there and making connections, online or in person.
Insight Days
These can be employer workshops or presentations and they allow you to get an insight into life in a company or sector. We often host Networking Nights and Lunchtime Live employer events in The Cube at One Elmwood.
Work-Based Learning
This is the work experience you gain that is assessed and counts towards your degree, like placements or a year in industry, or professional qualifications.
Work-Related Learning
This refers to opportunities you gain at Queen's to apply what you're learning on your course to the real world, e.g. signing up for our various Careers programmes.
Global Citizenship
Our Global Opportunities team can connect you with work and study abroad opportunities to help you build an international career.
Industry Specific Knowledge
As well as doing your own research by looking at company websites; careers fairs and employer-led events are a great way to get industry knowledge.
Personal brand
Your personal brand is how others perceive you, this can be based on what they find online. For some organisations LinkedIn can be just as important as your CV.
Job Market
Our Employer Engagement team work closely with employers to understand the graduate job market and to connect you with the current opportunities.
Job Search Strategy
A good job search strategy can help you find a good fit for your qualifications, interests and skills. Use our Careers platform MyFuture to search for roles.
Interview Skills
The Careers Consultants at Queen's can help you understand the recruitment process and make sure you're feeling confident before your interview.
Work Shadowing
This gives you the opportunity to observe and spend time with professionals in the workplace, the Careers team run an annual Work Shadowing Week in semester 2.
