Chapter 2
cover letter
a letter of introduction sent to a prospective employer to get an interview
sponsor
a powerfully positioned champion who "leans in" with an employee by advocating on their proteges' behalf and guiding them toward key players and assignments
career plan
a strategic guide for your career through short, medium, longer, and long-term goals as well as future education and work-related experiences
job boards
a website devoted to helping employers find suitable new employees by providing job listings, job sites, job search tips, job search engines, and related articles; some allow posting of resumes
STEM majors
academic majors in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
mentor
an experienced person, often a senior coworker, who offers friendly career-related advice, guidance, and coaching to a less experienced person
career planning
can help you identify an employment pathway that aligns your interests and abilities with the tasks and responsibilities expected by employers over your lifetime
career ladder
describes the progression from entry-level positions to higher levels of pay, skill, responsibility, or authority
employment agency
firm that locates employment for certain types of employees
job interview
formal meeting between employer and potential employee to discuss job qualifications and suitability
employee benefits
forms of remuneration provided by employers to employees that result in the employee not having to pay out-of-pocket money for certain expenses, also known as nonsalary benefits
career goal
identifying what you want to do for a living, whether a specific job or field of employment
professional abilities
job-related activities that you can perform physically, mentally, artistically, mechanically, and financially
professional interests
long-standing topics and activities that engage your attention
professional networking
making and using contacts with individuals, groups, and other firms to exchange career information
functional format
resume that emphasizes career-related experiences
skills format
resume that emphasizes your aptitudes and qualities
chronological format
resume that provides your information in reverse order, with the most recent first
interest inventories
scaled surveys that assess career interests and activities
resume
summary record of your education, training, experience, and other qualifications
job referral
the act recommending someone to another by sending a reference for employment
career
the lifework chosen by a person to use personal talent, education, and training
aptitudes
the natural ability and talents that individuals possess
values
the principles, standards, or qualities that you consider desirable
career fairs
university, community, and employer-sponsored events for job seekers to meet with many employers quickly to screen potential employers
lifestyle trade-offs
weighing the demands of particular jobs with your social and cultural preferences
work-style personality
your own ways of working with and responding to job requirements, surroundings, and associates