jobseekers
jobseekers
Pronunciation
/ˈdʒɒbsiːkərz/
job-: /ˈdʒɒb/
/dʒ/ (voiced postalveolar affricate) - as in "jump"
/ɒ/ (open-mid back rounded vowel) - as in "on"
/b/ (voiced bilabial plosive) - as in "bat"
seek-: /siːk/
/s/ (voiceless alveolar fricative) - as in "sun"
/iː/ (long close front unrounded vowel) - as in "meet"
/k/ (voiceless velar plosive) - as in "cat"
-ers: /ərz/
/ə/ (schwa, mid-central vowel) - as in "about"
/r/ (voiced alveolar approximant) - as in "run"
/z/ (voiced alveolar fricative) - as in "zoo"
Word Form Variations
Singular: jobseeker
Plural: jobseekers
Compound verb: job seeking, job-seeking
Adjective: job-seeking
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
1. A person who is actively looking for employment.
Synonyms: candidate, applicant, prospect, employment seeker, job hunter
Antonyms: employer, recruiter, hiring manager, worker (in a context of being currently employed)
2. An individual who is unemployed and is engaged in the process of searching for work.
Synonyms: unemployed person, unhired person, person out of work, person on the dole
Antonyms: employed person, professional, working person, breadwinner
Examples of Use
1. Books
"The competition among jobseekers in the city's saturated market was fierce, with hundreds of applications for every opening." (From The Jobseeker's Guide to the Digital Age by Sarah Miller, March 2022)
2. Newspapers
"New government initiatives aim to provide more training and support services for jobseekers in the hardest-hit sectors of the economy." (The Guardian, October 2023)
3. Online Publications
"LinkedIn's latest report highlights the growing importance of soft skills for jobseekers looking to stand out in a competitive landscape." (Forbes, April 2024)
4. Entertainment Mediums
In a scene from the film Up in the Air, a career coach delivers a motivational speech to a room full of newly laid-off jobseekers, advising them on how to navigate their next steps.
5. General Public Discourse
"My brother has been a jobseeker for months now; he's had a few interviews, but nothing has panned out yet."
"The local library is now offering free workshops for jobseekers, covering everything from resume writing to interview skills."
10 Famous Quotes Using Jobseekers
“I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it, and jobseekers who work hard and smart will be the first ones to be called for an interview.” (Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr.)
"The market is dynamic, and jobseekers who are adaptable and willing to learn new skills are the ones who will succeed." (Original quote)
"A jobseeker should not just look for a job, but should look to create a career." (Original quote)
"The difference between a successful jobseeker and a frustrated one is often a matter of preparation and persistence." (Original quote)
"In today's economy, being a jobseeker means being a lifelong learner." (Original quote)
"A jobseeker's resume is their story; a compelling story is what gets them noticed." (Original quote)
"Don't go jobseeking—go opportunity-searching. Be confident, creative, and relentless." (Original quote)
"The most successful jobseekers are those who network relentlessly and effectively." (Original quote)
"For every jobseeker, there's a perfect job; the challenge is in finding the right match." (Original quote)
"A jobseeker should focus on what they can offer, not just what they want." (Original quote)
Etymology
The word "jobseeker" is a compound word formed by combining two separate English words: "job" and "seeker."
Job: This part of the word has a somewhat murky history, but it likely originated from the Middle English word "jobbe," which referred to a piece of work or a task. It's also been suggested that it might be related to the Old French word "gob," meaning a lump or mass, which evolved to mean a "piece" of something, including a piece of work. By the 16th century, "job" was commonly used to mean a specific task or a small piece of work.
Seeker: This word comes from the Old English verb "sēcan," which meant "to search for," "to look for," or "to pursue." It has cognates in other Germanic languages, like the German "suchen." Over time, the "-er" suffix was added to the verb to create a noun, meaning "one who seeks."
The compound word "jobseeker" itself is a relatively modern invention. The earliest known uses of the term appear in the early 20th century. Its meaning was clear from the start: it described a person who is actively "seeking" or looking for a "job." This compound structure is very common in English for creating new words that clearly describe a person's role or activity, such as "bookseller," "homeschooler," or "treasure hunter."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Jobseekers
Phrases Using "Jobseeker"
Active jobseeker: This describes someone who is actively and consistently looking for a job.
Jobseeker's market: A term used to describe an economic condition where there are more jobs than there are people looking for them, giving jobseekers more leverage.
A resume is a jobseeker's calling card: This phrase emphasizes the importance of a resume in the job search process.
Jobseeker burnout: A phrase referring to the mental and emotional exhaustion a person experiences from a prolonged and unsuccessful job search.
The average jobseeker: A general phrase used to refer to a typical person looking for work.
Related Phrases and Idioms (Using Synonyms)
To be on the hunt for a new job: An idiom meaning to be actively looking for a new position.
Pounding the pavement: An idiom for actively and physically going out to look for a job, often by visiting businesses in person.
Going to the unemployment line: A phrase for a person who is seeking unemployment benefits, which is often a situation a jobseeker finds themselves in.
A foot in the door: An idiom referring to getting a small, entry-level opportunity that could lead to a better job in the future.
To be a job hunter: A common synonym for a jobseeker.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of jobseekers from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
