Workplace Terminology
The textbook uses synonyms for several workplace terms. You need to be able to recognize these terms.
You don’t need to memorize the definitions or learn the slight differences between the terms.
There are Many Synonyms for “What You Do”
Synonyms Used in the Textbook
Career
An occupation or profession, especially one requiring special training, followed as
one’s lifework.
Field
A sphere of activity, interest, etc. within a particular business or profession; the field
of teaching.
Occupation
A person’s usual or principal work or business, especially as a means of earning a
living.
Profession
A vocation or business; a vocation requiring knowledge of some department of
learning or science: the profession of teaching.
Industry
Any general business activity; commercial enterprise: the Italian tourist industry.
Career field
A career or profession in an industry.
Synonyms Not Used in the Textbook
Business
An occupation, business, or trade. (The textbook uses business as a place of
employment.)
Vocation
A particular occupation, business, or profession.
Calling
An occupation, profession, or trade. A strong inner urge to follow an occupation.
Trade
Any occupation pursued as a business or livelihood.
There are Many Synonyms for Who You Work For
Synonyms Used in the Textbook
Employer
A person or business that employs one or more people.
Organization
A group of people organized for some end or work.
Company
A business enterprise.
Business
A place of work; a building or site where commercial work is carried on, as a factory,
store, or office.
Synonyms Not Used in the Textbook
Enterprise
A business unit; a company or firm.
Firm
A partnership or association for carrying on a business.
Your Career: How to Make It Happen, 8e
© South-Western Cengage Learning
Job and Position Mean the Same Thing
Job
A post of employment; full-time or part-time position.
Position
A post of employment; a job.
Applicant and Candidate Mean the Same Thing
Applicant
A person who applies for a job.
Candidate
A person seeking … selection for a job, promotion, etc.
Career and Job Do Not Mean the Same Thing
Career
An occupation or profession, especially one requiring special training, followed as
one’s lifework. Example: Teaching
Job
A post of employment; full-time or part-time position. Example: History teacher at
George Washington High School
A job involves performing a designated set of responsibilities and duties for a specific employer. A
career encompasses a family of jobs. Your career is your life work. Your Career: How to Make It Happen,
page 291
Supervisor and Manager Do Not Mean the Same Thing
Supervisor
A person who supervises workers or the work done by others.
Manager
A person who has control or direction of an institution, business, etc., or of a part,
division, or phase of it.
Managers are people who make decisions on how a company or department operates and are
responsible for the company or department as a whole. A supervisor is responsible for the day-to-day
performance of a small group. The supervisor’s job is to guide the group toward its goals, see that all
members of the team are productive, and resolve problems as they arise.
Terms Not Used in the Textbook
Administrator
A person who administers the affairs of an organization.
Executive
A person … having administrative or supervisory authority in an organization.
Your Career: How to Make It Happen, 8e
© South-Western Cengage Learning