inyourroots® Careers & Education Glossary.
Terms Every Parent & Educator Should Know
Confused by careers jargon? Our plain-English glossary explains the terms every parent, teacher, and young person needs to know, from A-levels to apprenticeships and beyond.
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Qualifications & Education Routes
Academic qualifications taken after GCSEs, often needed for university.
A paid job where you learn practical skills while working and studying.
A work-related qualification mixing classroom and practical learning.
A university qualification, usually taking three or four years.
Practical qualifications in English, maths, or ICT for work and daily life.
Qualifications usually taken at age 16 in a range of subjects.
A structured training programme for recent university graduates.
A two-year work-related higher education qualification.
A temporary work placement, often for students or recent graduates.
A practical qualification showing you can do a job to a set standard.
Choices after GCSEs: A-levels, BTECs, T-levels, apprenticeships, or work.
The last two years of school (ages 16–18) for A-levels or similar.
A new qualification for 16–19s, mixing classroom learning and work placements.
A short course with work experience to prepare for a job or apprenticeship.
The organisation that manages applications to UK universities.
A place for higher education, usually leading to a degree.
A qualification focused on practical job skills.
Job-Hunting & Application Process
An announcement about a job opening.
Software employers use to manage job applications.
The process of formally showing interest in a job.
The last date you can apply for a job or course.
An event where employers test applicants’ skills with tasks and interviews.
An employer’s process of checking your history (like criminal record or references).
A letter sent with your CV explaining why you want the job.
A document listing your education, skills, and experience.
A check for criminal records, needed for some jobs.
Comments from employers about your application or interview.
A meeting where an employer asks questions to see if you’re right for the job.
A group of people who ask questions during an interview.
A website or page listing job vacancies.
A summary of what a job involves.
When your strengths and skills fit a job.
When an employer formally offers you a job.
Someone who can confirm your skills and character to an employer.
Meeting people to share information and find job opportunities.
A formal letter confirming a job offer.
Applying for a job using a website or online form.
A collection of work examples to show your skills (common in creative jobs).
A trial period at the start of a job.
A company that helps people find jobs.
A person who can vouch for your skills or character.
Another word for CV (mainly used outside the UK).
A short phone or video call to check if you meet the job basics.
When employers pick a smaller group of applicants for the next stage.
A test where you’re given work scenarios and asked how you’d respond.
A group of people an employer considers for future jobs.
An interview done over video call.
Workplace, Pay & Progression
Extras from an employer: like paid holidays, pension, or discounts.
Skills and behaviours needed for a job.
A legal agreement about your job terms.
Support services for employees, like counselling or advice.
Basic skills for getting, keeping, and doing well in a job.
Fair treatment for everyone, regardless of background or identity.
Working the standard hours for a job, usually 35–40 per week.
Gross pay is before tax; net pay is what you take home.
A mix of working from home and in a workplace.
Training and information for new employees.
The lowest amount an employer can legally pay.
How long you must work after resigning or being let go.
Support to keep employees healthy at work.
Welcoming and training a new employee.
Working fewer hours than a full-time job.
A document showing your pay and deductions.
A meeting to discuss how you’re doing at work.
Moving to a higher level or better-paid job.
Working from somewhere other than the office, usually home.
Proof you’re allowed to work in the UK.
Your yearly pay, usually shown before tax.
Working for yourself, not an employer.
Jobs with set hours at different times of day or night.
A job lasting for a set period.
An organisation that supports workers’ rights.
How you manage your time between work and the rest of your life.
Career Types, Sectors & Modern Work
A job for a set time or project.
An expert hired for advice or specific tasks.
Jobs in arts, design, media, and entertainment.
Skills needed to use computers and online tools.
Working for yourself and taking on short-term jobs for different clients.
Short-term, flexible jobs (like delivery or ride-share).
A job aimed at recent university graduates.
A job with no set end date.
Having several part-time or freelance roles at once.
Businesses owned by individuals or companies.
Jobs in government or publicly funded organisations.
A small job or business alongside your main work.
A business with fewer than 250 employees.
Jobs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths.
Charities and voluntary organisations.
Skills & Personal Development
Ongoing learning to keep skills up to date.
Your online presence and what people can find about you.
How you present yourself and your skills to employers.
Personal qualities that help you work well with others.
Skills you can use in different jobs or industries.
Learning new skills to move to a new job or industry.
Inclusion, Accessibility & Support
Making sure everyone can use a website, tool, or resource easily.
Welcoming people from all backgrounds and identities.
People whose brains work differently (like autism, ADHD, dyslexia).
Changes to help disabled or neurodivergent people succeed.
Protecting people’s health, wellbeing, and rights at work.
Useful inyourroots® Terms
A product or website still being tested and improved.
Using game-like features (points, badges) to make something more engaging.
A notification about new job opportunities.
A job search you can save and repeat easily.
Connecting people to jobs based on what they’re naturally good at.
A group of people an employer considers for future roles.
A short video clip introducing yourself to employers.