​You get an email from a recruiter wanting to know if you’re interested in an attractive new role for you. However, the email also includes several terms and requirements –and you’re not exactly sure what they mean. Use this glossary of recruiting terms to familiarize yourself with terminology that you may hear in career-related conversations.

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Assessment

Before moving forward with an interview or offer, a recruiter may ask you to take an assessment. What makes you valuable? And what distinguishes you from your peers? Essentially, what is your value proposition? To answer any of these questions, you first have to assess your strengths through assessment. Today, there is a plethora of online tools at your fingertips to help you assess your skills and learning style, including your Learnability Quotient. Learnability Quotient (LQ) reflects your desire and ability to grow and adapt to new circumstances and challenges throughout your work life.

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Soft skills

A recruiter can look at your resume, but knowing what soft skills it doesn’t necessarily reflect can be just as valuable to placing you in a new role. These are all just some of the personal attributes that indicate a high level of emotional and personal intelligence, also known as soft skills. They include communicating, critical thinking, meeting deadlines, being well-organized, collaborating and the ability to analyze and innovate. Employers are seeking these skills more than ever as they are broadly applicable across job titles, industries and changing times. Soft skills can also be developed and grown.

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Expectations

It’s common for a recruiter to ask about your salary expectations. But expectations for a new role may go beyond money, including what kind of career coaching ar offered for employees. To succeed in today’s workforce, you need to continue learning and growing your skills. Successful companies recognize that they also play a part in building successful careers, which benefits them in the long run. Start a career conversation by letting them know that you understand your success translates into their success.

When a recruiter first makes contact with you, it’s important to open the lines of communication. Make sure you both understand what is being discussed. If you’re not clear about anything, make sure to ask. It’s best to do that at the beginning of the process.