Why This Vocabulary Matters
Looking for work in a new country is stressful. Job ads use short, special words, and employers ask questions very quickly. If you know these words, you can understand what a job really offers and answer questions with confidence.
Reading a Job Ad
Here is a typical job ad. The bold words are explained below.
Customer Service Representative — Full-time, permanent Riverside Home Supplies is hiring! We are looking for a friendly person to join our team. Duties: answer customer calls and emails, process orders, handle returns. Requirements: high school diploma, 1+ years of customer service experience, good computer skills. French is an asset. Schedule: Monday–Friday, day shifts. Some Saturdays. Pay: $21–$23 per hour, plus benefits (dental, paid vacation). To apply, send your résumé and cover letter by March 15. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| full-time / part-time | about 35–40 hours a week / fewer hours |
| permanent / temporary (temp) / contract | no end date / for a short time / for a fixed period |
| hiring | looking for new workers |
| duties / responsibilities | the tasks you do in the job |
| requirements | what you must have |
| experience | work you have done before |
| an asset | useful, but not necessary |
| shift | a period of work (day shift, night shift) |
| benefits | extra things besides pay: health insurance, dental, vacation |
| résumé / CV | a document about your work history and education |
| cover letter | a short letter explaining why you want the job |
| shortlisted | chosen for the next step (usually an interview) |
Note: in Canada and the US, people usually say résumé (often written resume). In the UK, CV is more common.
Pay: Wage, Salary and More
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| wage | money paid per hour | The wage is $20 an hour. |
| salary | money paid per year | The salary is $55,000 a year. |
| overtime | extra hours (often paid more) | We get time and a half for overtime. |
| payday / paycheque | the day you get paid / the payment | Payday is every second Friday. |
| raise (US/Canada) / rise (UK) | an increase in pay | I got a raise after one year. |
| before tax / after tax | gross / net | $3,000 a month before tax. |
Talking About Your Experience
- I have worked in customer service for three years.
- I worked as a cashier at a supermarket.
- I was responsible for training new staff.
- I have experience with Excel and online ordering systems.
- I'm good at solving problems.
- I'm looking for a full-time position.
Useful verbs for duties: serve customers, handle complaints, process orders, manage stock, operate machines, train staff, work in a team.
Questions You Can Ask
- What are the working hours?
- Is the job full-time or part-time?
- What is the pay? / What's the hourly rate?
- Are there any benefits?
- When would the job start?
- Is there training?
Your First Days at Work
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| job offer | the company says they want to hire you |
| contract | the written agreement |
| start date | your first day |
| probation (period) | the first months, when the employer checks if you are right for the job |
| orientation / onboarding / training | learning how the company works |
| supervisor / manager | the person you report to |
| co-worker / colleague | a person you work with |
| to clock in / clock out | to record the time you start and finish |
| break | a short rest (coffee break, lunch break) |
| to call in sick | to phone and say you are sick and cannot come |
| day off | a day you don't work |
| to quit / to resign | to leave a job (resign is more formal) |
| to be laid off | to lose your job because there isn't enough work |
| to be fired | to lose your job because of a problem with your work |
Example Dialogue: A Phone Call About a Job
Employer: Hello, this is Mark from Riverside Home Supplies. I'm calling about your application. Olena: Oh, hello! Thank you for calling. Employer: We'd like to invite you for an interview. Are you available on Thursday at 10? Olena: Yes, Thursday at 10 is perfect. Can I ask — is the position full-time? Employer: Yes, it's full-time, Monday to Friday, with some Saturdays. Olena: Great. And is there training at the beginning? Employer: Yes, the first week is training. There's also a three-month probation period. Olena: That sounds good. See you on Thursday!
Common Mistakes
- "I work here since 2022." → I have worked here since 2022.
- "I am working like a cashier." → I work as a cashier.
- "The salary is $20 per hour." → for hourly pay, say wage or hourly rate.
- "I did an experience." → I have experience / I gained experience.
- "Fired" vs. "laid off": being laid off is not your fault — use the right word in interviews!
Practice Tips
- Find three real job ads online and underline the words from this lesson.
- Write five sentences about your work experience using I have worked..., I was responsible for..., I have experience with...
- Practise the questions about pay and hours out loud so they feel natural on the phone.