Finding the Key Words and Phrases for Your Position
Once you have collected and printed out several job postings
and descriptions—the ones with as much detail as possible— highlight
or underline the words that appear more than one time. When
you finish, stand back and take a look at what you‘ve done.
You will begin to see patterns as the same key words and phrases
are repeated over and over. The words in the phrases may vary,
but the meaning will be the same.
You will also begin to see sets of words used for specific jobs within an industry. A good way to become knowledgeable about key words and phrases is to write or collect the words that are used repeatedly. As you prepare phrases for your interview, note how often specific words are used as you go through your job search.
Keep a dictionary nearby so that when you find a word and don’t understand the meaning, you can look it up before you make it “your”word. It is unwise to use a word without understanding its meaning.
Once you have formulated your list of sample words and phrases, you can review it whenever you have time. One woman conducting a job search wrote the key words and sample phrases in a small notebook and carried it with her wherever she went. When she found herself standing in long lines at places like the post office or bank, she would pull out her notebook and review her list. She was able to improve her industry vocabulary quickly by doing this. You will find that if you continue to practice these words, they will become very familiar to you and become part of your vocabulary.
You will also begin to see sets of words used for specific jobs within an industry. A good way to become knowledgeable about key words and phrases is to write or collect the words that are used repeatedly. As you prepare phrases for your interview, note how often specific words are used as you go through your job search.
Keep a dictionary nearby so that when you find a word and don’t understand the meaning, you can look it up before you make it “your”word. It is unwise to use a word without understanding its meaning.
Once you have formulated your list of sample words and phrases, you can review it whenever you have time. One woman conducting a job search wrote the key words and sample phrases in a small notebook and carried it with her wherever she went. When she found herself standing in long lines at places like the post office or bank, she would pull out her notebook and review her list. She was able to improve her industry vocabulary quickly by doing this. You will find that if you continue to practice these words, they will become very familiar to you and become part of your vocabulary.