Are You Juggling Jargon At Work?

With new words released recently by the Oxford English Dictionary, it's important to try keep up with the times - without sounding like a total bampot - especially if you're on the hunt for a new job. Purple CV conducted a survey of 3,000 Brits and found that when tested on The Oxford English Dictionary’s updated words, they achieved an average score of just 56%!

Perhaps people in the North West of England should brush up on their vocabulary as when compared across the UK it was found that they scored the lowest on average at 50%. It seems Scots, on the other hand, are more clued up scoring 69% on average.

Job applicants were asked some follow-up questions about their understanding and use of words when applying for potential jobs. One-fifth said they consciously use industry-appropriate jargon in their CVs in order to catch the eye of a potential employer. Knowledge is power, it appears, as 43% of applicants feel it is important to learn the industry jargon before beginning your first job.

Test your own vocab knowledge using this interactive quiz based on the latest additions to the Oxford English Dictionary.

Over half of Brits have admitted to using a word in a sentence without knowing its true meaning. On a more uplifting note, 47% are constantly trying to improve and expand their vocabulary, showing a keen willingness to keep up with the times. The survey also asked how well they understand industry talk in their workplace. One third admitted using jargon in an interview without fully understanding its meaning and half said they have sat through a work meeting without understanding the jargon being used.

First impressions are everything, especially when it comes to job interviews. The study found that 77% of managers would be more likely to hire a candidate who uses a wide and varied vocabulary, and 81% of employers say that a job candidate using a word in the wrong sense is unforgivable. Interestingly, 55% of managers say they dislike slang or abbreviations being used in the workplace.

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