VOCABULARY
TOEIC Human Resources Vocabulary
40 essential TOEIC vocabulary words for the Human Resources category, each with a definition and an example sentence. These words appear frequently in Parts 3, 4, and 7.
Category: Human Resources40 Key Terms
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Mastering Human Resources vocabulary is crucial because these themes span across multiple parts of the test. Recognizing the context immediately improves both your listening and reading speed.
Key Terms
| Word | Meaning | Example | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| recruit | To find and hire new employees | We need to recruit three new engineers. | Easy |
| compensation | The total pay and benefits an employee receives | The compensation package is very competitive. | Medium |
| appraisal | A formal assessment of an employee's performance | Performance appraisals are scheduled for December. | Hard |
| applicant | A person who formally requests a job | Over two hundred applicants responded to the posting. | Easy |
| candidate | A person being considered for a position | Three candidates were invited for a second interview. | Easy |
| resume | A summary of a person's education and work history | Attach your resume and a cover letter. | Easy |
| credentials | Qualifications that prove a person's ability | Her credentials in software security are impressive. | Medium |
| vacancy | A position that is available to be filled | There is currently a vacancy in the accounting department. | Medium |
| promotion | A move to a more senior position | He received a promotion after two years. | Easy |
| supervisor | A person who directs the work of others | Report any absence to your immediate supervisor. | Easy |
| personnel | The people employed by an organization | All personnel must complete the security training. | Medium |
| orientation | An introductory program for new employees | New-hire orientation lasts two days. | Medium |
| probation | A trial period at the start of employment | The six-month probation period ends in July. | Medium |
| benefits | Non-salary rewards such as insurance and leave | Benefits include health coverage and a pension plan. | Easy |
| payroll | The list of employees and the wages paid to them | Payroll is processed on the last Friday of the month. | Medium |
| retention | Keeping employees at a company over time | Flexible hours improved staff retention. | Medium |
| turnover | The rate at which employees leave and are replaced | High turnover in the call centre concerned management. | Hard |
| resign | To formally leave a job | She resigned to take a position abroad. | Easy |
| severance | Money paid to an employee who is let go | The severance package covers three months of salary. | Hard |
| layoff | The dismissal of employees for business reasons | The layoffs affected twelve people in production. | Medium |
| workforce | All the people who work for an organization | Half the workforce now works remotely. | Medium |
| morale | The confidence and enthusiasm of a group | The new break room noticeably improved morale. | Hard |
| mentor | An experienced person who advises a colleague | Every new analyst is assigned a mentor. | Medium |
| seniority | Status earned through length of service | Vacation days increase with seniority. | Hard |
| eligible | Meeting the conditions required to qualify | Employees are eligible for the plan after ninety days. | Medium |
| reference | A statement about a person's character or ability | Please provide two professional references. | Easy |
| shortlist | A reduced list of the strongest candidates | Four names made the shortlist. | Medium |
| onboarding | The process of integrating a new employee | Onboarding now takes place entirely online. | Medium |
| incentive pay | Extra pay awarded for meeting targets | Incentive pay is tied to quarterly results. | Medium |
| grievance | A formal complaint from an employee | The grievance was resolved through mediation. | Hard |
| reinstate | To restore someone to a former position | The employee was reinstated after the review. | Hard |
| delegation | The act of assigning responsibility to others | Effective delegation frees managers for planning. | Medium |
| workload | The amount of work assigned to a person | The new hire reduced everyone's workload. | Easy |
| attrition | A gradual reduction in staff through resignations | Positions were eliminated through natural attrition. | Hard |
| stipend | A fixed regular payment, often for expenses | Interns receive a monthly stipend. | Hard |
| accommodate | To adjust conditions to meet someone's needs | The office was modified to accommodate wheelchair users. | Medium |
| commend | To formally praise someone | The director commended the team for its response. | Hard |
| tenure | The length of time a person holds a position | During her tenure, exports doubled. | Hard |
| recruitment drive | An organized campaign to hire many people | The recruitment drive filled forty positions. | Medium |
| job description | A written statement of a role's duties | The job description lists five core responsibilities. | Easy |
Frequently asked questions
Why is Human Resources vocabulary important for TOEIC?
A significant portion of TOEIC test questions are set in Human Resources contexts. Knowing these terms allows you to understand the situation immediately without guessing.
What is the best way to study these words?
Study the words within their example sentences rather than in isolation, and pay attention to their collocations — the words that frequently appear alongside them.
How long does it take to learn these 40 words?
At 10 words per day, one pass through this list takes about 4 days. Reviewing the same words the next day and again a week later is what makes them stick.
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