la jornada
La jornada is the workday or the work shift, focusing on the span of working time (start to finish). It is common in workplace and HR contexts.
Common Phrases
- la jornada laboral — the working day / work schedule
- jornada completa — full-time schedule
Example
En mi empresa, la jornada empieza a las ocho.
At my company, the workday starts at eight.
Common Mistake
Using the wrong article: say la jornada, not el jornada.
el empleo
El empleo means employment or a job position, often emphasizing stability, benefits, or being employed. It is a standard word for job searching and applications.
Common Phrases
- buscar empleo — to look for a job / to seek employment
- un empleo estable — a stable job
Example
Estoy buscando empleo en el sector de tecnología.
I am looking for a job in the technology sector.
Common Mistake
Mixing up articles: say el empleo, not la empleo.
el colega
El colega is a colleague or coworker, especially someone you work with professionally. It can refer to men or women depending on the article and context.
Common Phrases
- un colega de trabajo — a work colleague
- mi colega me recomendó — my colleague recommended me
Example
Mi colega conoce al equipo y me dio un consejo.
My colleague knows the team and gave me advice.
Common Mistake
Using it like a close friend word only: colega is professional; avoid mi colega if you mean a personal buddy and the tone should be formal.
puntual
Puntual means punctual or on time, a key trait in interviews. It describes reliability with schedules, meetings, and deadlines.
Common Phrases
- ser puntual — to be punctual
- llegar puntual — to arrive on time
Example
Soy puntual y respeto el tiempo de los demás.
I am punctual and I respect other people's time.
Common Mistake
Overusing adverbs: prefer soy puntual over soy muy puntual todo el tiempo in formal answers.
remoto
Remoto means remote (not in-person), commonly used for work arrangements. It is standard in job listings and interviews.
Common Phrases
- trabajo remoto — remote work
- puesto remoto — remote position
Example
Busco un puesto remoto con horarios claros.
I am looking for a remote position with clear hours.
Common Mistake
Forgetting agreement: trabajo remoto is correct; avoid trabajo remota.
formal
Formal means formal, professional, or polite in tone and behavior. In interviews, it often refers to communication style and respect.
Common Phrases
- un tono formal — a formal tone
- una conversación formal — a formal conversation
Example
En la entrevista mantuve un tono formal y directo.
In the interview I maintained a formal and direct tone.
Common Mistake
Thinking it only means clothing: formal often means professional communication; avoid using it only as ropa formal in interview skill answers.
claro
Claro means clear (easy to understand) and is common for communication skills. It can describe how you explain ideas, results, and responsibilities.
Common Phrases
- ser claro — to be clear
- hablar claro — to speak clearly / to be straightforward
Example
Quiero ser claro al explicar mis logros.
I want to be clear when explaining my achievements.
Common Mistake
Using the wrong adjective form: with a feminine noun, use clara; avoid una explicación claro.
el sueldo
El sueldo is salary or pay, especially the amount you receive regularly for a job. It is very common when discussing compensation and negotiation.
Common Phrases
- negociar el sueldo — to negotiate salary
- subir el sueldo — to increase salary / to get a raise
Example
Podemos hablar del sueldo después de revisar las responsabilidades.
We can talk about salary after reviewing the responsibilities.
Common Mistake
Using the wrong article: say el sueldo, not la sueldo.