Common Terms and Jargon in California Hiring

Common Terms

Getting Started: 

• CalCareers: The official platform to search and apply for jobs in the state of California.

• CalCareers account: The profile job seekers create to apply for positions on CalCareers. Applicants can save their application information, track their status and search for open positions. 

• Civil service: Employment in the state of California is based on merit and successful completion of competitive examinations. 

Employment Exams and Assessments:

• Assessment: A method used in the hiring process to understand an applicant’s ability to complete the core responsibilities of a job. 

• Eligibility: The term used to demonstrate a passing score on an exam. Eligibility enables a job seeker to apply for jobs.  

• Exam basis: A type of exam, indicating who is eligible to take it.  

• Exam bulletin: The official announcement for when and where an exam will take place. It also includes unique details for each exam.  

• Examination: The process used to evaluate applicants’ knowledge, skills and abilities as they relate to the job classification. An examination could include a test or other form of evaluation. More information can be found within a job posting.  

Searching for Jobs: 

• Bilingual position: A job that requires providing non-English services to the public. This designation can be found in a job posting. 

• Duty statement: A detailed description of all the responsibilities associated with a specific job. It can be found as a link in any job posting. 

• Hybrid: Jobs that require some in-person work and some remote work.  

• In office: Jobs that require work at an agency’s physical building or office space during work hours. 

• Job description: An overview of a job, featuring its responsibilities, minimum qualifications and information for its corresponding exam. 

• Job posting: All the information for a specific job listed on CalCareers. It includes the job description, agency information, exam details and duty statement.  

• Telework: Completing work at an approved alternative location. For example, some positions allow employees to work at locations besides the agency office for a few days per week. 

• Save this job: A feature that allows job seekers to save jobs to their profile in their CalCareers account. 

• Save search: A feature that allows job seekers to filter specific search criteria and save the search method to their profile in CalCareers, which can be a major time-saver when searching for new roles.  

Applying and Completing Your Application: 

• Job control number: The number found within each job posting, unique to each position listed on CalCareers.  

• STD 678: The name of the official application form for employment examinations and job applications. The form can be completed on paper or online through a CalCareers Account.  

• Statement of Qualifications: A comprehensive document created by job seekers that demonstrates their ability to fulfill a role, following specific instructions in the job posting. 

Other Helpful Terms:  

• Equal Employment Opportunity: Each state agency is responsible for implementing nondiscrimination policies, procedures and practices, integrating them into every aspect of employment. Equal employment opportunity is afforded to all applicants.  

• Full time: A job status assigned to an employee indicating their work hours and compensation. 

• LEAP: The Limited Examination and Appointment Program is designed to help people with disabilities get jobs in the California state civil service. LEAP is an alternative to the traditional examination process. 

• Limited term: A temporary job. 

• Veterans’ preference: An exam status given to eligible veterans when they apply for jobs on CalCareers.