Career & job-search glossary
Plain-English definitions of 47 job-search, salary and workplace terms — from CTC and ATS to notice period, ESOP and gross vs net salary. Understand what every term on your offer letter, salary slip and job posting really means.
All glossary terms
47 terms, alphabetical. Pick one to read the full meaning, how it works in India, and why it matters.
Career glossary — FAQs
What is a career glossary?
A career glossary is a plain-English dictionary of job-search, salary and workplace terms — like CTC, ATS, notice period and gross vs net salary — that explains what each one means and why it matters. OnJob's glossary covers 47 key terms used in Indian and global hiring.
What is the difference between CTC and in-hand salary?
CTC (Cost to Company) is the total annual amount an employer spends on you, including benefits and contributions, while in-hand (take-home) salary is the cash credited to your bank account each month after deductions like PF, professional tax and income tax. CTC is always higher than in-hand pay.
What is an ATS in job applications?
An ATS (Applicant Tracking System) is software employers use to collect, scan, filter and rank job applications before a recruiter reviews them. Resumes with clean formatting and the job's exact keywords parse more reliably, so you can check yours with OnJob's free ATS resume checker.
Are these glossary definitions free to read?
Yes. Every term in OnJob's career glossary is free to read. OnJob's AI resume builder, ATS checker and job search are also free to start (₹0), so you can apply what you learn straight away.
Know the terms? Now land the job
Build a free AI-optimised profile, see your fit score on every job, and apply to live roles in one click with OnJob.
Quick answer: what do these hiring terms mean?
The entries below define the words that appear in Indian job ads, offer letters and HR conversations, with the statutory detail where one exists. Terms like notice period, gratuity and in-hand salary have specific legal or contractual meanings, and getting them wrong costs money at exactly the moment you are negotiating.
Why do job ads use so much jargon?
Some of it is genuine shorthand between people who do the work daily, and some of it is vagueness that hides an unattractive detail. Knowing which is which is the point of this glossary: a term with a precise definition can be checked, and a term without one is worth asking about before you sign.