What's That Mean? A Quick Vocab Quiz in Job Search Terms

Navigating the job search waters can be a tricky and confusing process. As you search for a job or internship you may come across some terms with which you are not familiar. But do not fear! Take a look at the terms and definitions below to take some of the mystery out of the job search process.

1. On Campus Recruiting (OCR) – OCR is a service offering on-campus interviews for students with employers seeking to hire for their job opportunities. At JMU specifically, OCR is located in Employer Relations and Recruiting Services (as part of Career & Academic Planning), Sonner Hall, first floor. Students apply for positions on Recruit-A-Duke and employers review those applications and then decide who they would like to interview on-campus. Employers come to the Sonner Hall Interview Center to interview the students they are interested in for their positions. In order to participate in On-Campus Recruiting at JMU, you must watch the 15 minute online Recruit-A-Duke tutorial and take the short quiz at the end.
2. Recruiter – This is a Human Resources representative at a company in charge of hiring operations. Often, they come to campus to speak with students about their company, positions in which they are hiring, and are likely the person you will liaise with most when going through the interviewing process.
3. Hiring/Project Manager – This is the person in which the job directly reports. It is important to understand this early on, so when one gets to a point of meeting the Hiring or Project Manager, asking questions with this person would likely give you the most accurate picture of the job.
4. Management Trainee Programs - Management Training Programs provide trainees with the skills and confidence required to make sound decisions. Management training programs help corporations groom the next generation of leaders for their company. These programs often have a rotational component where the trainee gets exposure to all the different jobs at the company. Trainees generally receive a salary, benefits and in some cases are included in their departments' bonus structure.
5. Verbal Offers, Written Offers, & Contingent Offers - Verbal offers are those in which the company makes an offer that is not in written form with details of your employment, but they have yet to put anything on paper, typically to give you some time to think about whether you want the job (already knowing the details). Unlike a Verbal Offer, a written offer is more secure as the details of your position in the organization are more clearly defined on paper, and is usually drawn up after you have verbally accepted the job. Contingent offers are written and it clearly states getting the job depends upon the results of a background check, credit check, security clearance, etc.) These are becoming more and more common, as background checks are getting longer.
6. EEOC - The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is an independent federal law enforcement agency that enforces laws against workplace discrimination. This can range from age, disability, race/color, pregnancy, sexual harassment.
7. Benefits – Many employers will offer benefits to employees. When you first join a company these can be confusing, but make sure to examine the benefits and differences between the types of plans employers offer very carefully to determine which will be the best one for you in the long-term. Benefits generally include at least health insurance, vacation and sick leave and a retirement plan (for example a 401K).
8. Project-based Position - This position will exist only as long as the project does, a good example would be a government project. A person working on a government project who is not a government employee is known as a “contractor,” and is employed by another company.
9. Professional Services – Individuals who provide a company with specialized services, including but not restricted to lawyers, accountants, information technology, and management consultants. Professional attire, verbal and presentation skills are an absolute must in this type of role, as it generally requires client-facing responsibilities.

Speed Networking is Back: You in 60 Seconds!

Don’t Miss Practice Speed Networking With Employers!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011, 4:00-6:30PM, Festival Ballroom, East Campus

Employers Who Are Excited To Speak With You:

·         Protiviti

·         Aramark

·         Shenandoah County Public Schools

·         Peace Corps

·         TEKSystems

·         Revolution Cycles

Back By Popular Demand!

Practice Speed Networking was created to assist students in perfecting their "30 second elevator speech," using this approach while networking with contacts in many different settings.

·         Six to eight participants will be seated at 10 round tables with employer facilitators from organizations.

·         Students will share their "30 second elevator speech" in a round-robin approach, receive feedback, and then rotate to a new table.

·         Depending on the number of participants, there will be four rotations.

·         There will be an opportunity to network, with refreshments provided in the middle of the rotations.

·         Professional attire is highly recommended.

RSVP is mandatory and is limited on a first come, first serve basis.

The deadline to RSVP is February 5th at 5:00pm using Recruit-A-Duke

Click on the Career Fair/Info Session/Workshop tab and then Workshops to RSVP.

This event is a collaboration of Career & Academic Planning and Ignite Speed Networking!