qiúzhí: 求职 - Job Hunting, To Seek a Job

• Keywords: qiuzhi, 求职, Chinese for job hunting, find a job in China, look for work, Chinese resume, apply for a job, job seeker in Chinese, qiúzhí, 招聘, 找工作, 面试
• Summary: “求职” (qiúzhí) is the essential Chinese term for the active process of “job hunting” or “seeking employment.” It's a formal and widely used word that covers everything from searching online job boards to writing your resume (简历) and cover letter (求职信). Understanding `qiúzhí` is crucial for anyone looking to navigate the modern Chinese professional world, as it reflects the formal, often intense, nature of finding a job in China's competitive market.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): qiúzhí
• Part of Speech: Verb / Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To seek employment; to apply for a job; job hunting.
• In a Nutshell: `求职` is the standard and slightly formal term for the entire process of looking for a job. While you might tell a friend “我在找工作” (wǒ zài zhǎo gōngzuò - I'm looking for a job), you would use `求职` on your resume, on job-seeking websites, and in any formal context related to employment. It implies a serious, purposeful search for a professional position.

• 求 (qiú): This character means “to seek,” “to request,” or “to ask for.” It depicts a person reaching out, expressing a desire or need.
• 职 (zhí): This character means “duty,” “post,” or “profession.” It's related to one's official responsibilities or role within an organization.

When combined, 求职 (qiúzhí) literally means “to seek a professional post,” which perfectly captures the modern meaning of “job hunting.”

The concept of `求职` in China carries significant cultural weight. For many, particularly recent graduates, the `求职` process is a period of immense pressure, known as the “graduation season” (毕业季 - bìyè jì). Unlike the Western emphasis on “finding your passion,” the traditional goal of `求职` in China has often been to secure a stable, long-term position, especially in a state-owned enterprise or a large, reputable company. This concept is famously known as the `铁饭碗` (tiě fànwǎn), or “iron rice bowl”—a job for life. While this ideal is evolving with the rise of startup culture and the gig economy, the underlying values of stability, security, and making one's family proud remain powerful motivators during the job hunt. The process is often seen as a reflection of one's abilities and social standing. A successful `求职` outcome at a prestigious company brings great `面子` (miànzi), or “face,” to the individual and their family. Therefore, `求职` is not just a personal career move; it's an event deeply intertwined with family expectations and social status.

`求职` is a high-frequency term in professional contexts.

• On Job Websites: Sites like Zhaopin (智联招聘) and 51job are filled with `求职` related terms. You will see categories for `求职者` (qiúzhízhě - job seekers) and companies posting `招聘` (zhāopìn - recruitment) information.
• In Formal Documents: Your resume will have a section for `求职意向` (qiúzhí yìxiàng - job objective/intent), and your cover letter is called a `求职信` (qiúzhíxìn).
• In Conversation: While the more colloquial `找工作` (zhǎo gōngzuò) is common among friends, using `求职` signals a more serious tone. For example, “我最近在求职” (Wǒ zuìjìn zài qiúzhí) sounds slightly more formal and professional than “我最近在找工作.”

The term is neutral in connotation and is the standard, formal way to discuss the act of seeking employment.

• Example 1:
  • 很多大学毕业生都在积极求职。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō dàxué bìyèshēng dōu zài jījí qiúzhí.
  • English: Many university graduates are actively job hunting.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows `求职` used as a verb in a common context—describing the period after graduation. The adverb `积极` (jījí - actively) is often paired with `求职`.
• Example 2:
  • 我的求职过程不太顺利。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de qiúzhí guòchéng bú tài shùnlì.
  • English: My job-hunting process isn't going very smoothly.
  • Analysis: Here, `求职` functions as a noun, modifying `过程` (guòchéng - process). This is a very common structure.
• Example 3:
  • 这份求职信是我花了一晚上写的。
  • Pinyin: Zhè fèn qiúzhíxìn shì wǒ huā le yì wǎnshang xiě de.
  • English: I spent a whole evening writing this cover letter.
  • Analysis: `求职` is used here as part of a compound noun, `求职信` (qiúzhíxìn - cover letter), a key document for any job applicant.
• Example 4:
  • 作为一名求职者，你需要准备一份专业的简历。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi yì míng qiúzhízhě, nǐ xūyào zhǔnbèi yí fèn zhuānyè de jiǎnlì.
  • English: As a job seeker, you need to prepare a professional resume.
  • Analysis: The suffix `者` (zhě) turns the verb `求职` into a noun for the person who performs the action: `求职者` (qiúzhízhě - job seeker).
• Example 5:
  • 你有什么好的求职建议吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ yǒu shénme hǎo de qiúzhí jiànyì ma?
  • English: Do you have any good job-hunting advice?
  • Analysis: A practical question where `求职` acts as a noun describing the topic of the `建议` (jiànyì - advice).
• Example 6:
  • 这个网站提供了很多求职资源。
  • Pinyin: Zhège wǎngzhàn tígōng le hěn duō qiúzhí zīyuán.
  • English: This website provides a lot of job-hunting resources.
  • Analysis: Shows how `求职` is used to describe resources, tools, or information related to finding a job.
• Example 7:
  • 他在简历上写明了自己的求职意向。
  • Pinyin: Tā zài jiǎnlì shàng xiěmíng le zìjǐ de qiúzhí yìxiàng.
  • English: He clearly stated his career objective on his resume.
  • Analysis: `求职意向` (qiúzhí yìxiàng) is a standard section on a Chinese resume, meaning “job-seeking intention” or “career objective.”
• Example 8:
  • 积累更多的工作经验对你未来的求职很有帮助。
  • Pinyin: Jīlěi gèng duō de gōngzuò jīngyàn duì nǐ wèilái de qiúzhí hěn yǒu bāngzhù.
  • English: Accumulating more work experience will be very helpful for your future job hunting.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the long-term nature of career planning, where current actions impact a future `求职` effort.
• Example 9:
  • 求职期间，保持积极的心态很重要。
  • Pinyin: Qiúzhí qījiān, bǎochí jījí de xīntài hěn zhòngyào.
  • English: During the job-hunting period, it's very important to maintain a positive mindset.
  • Analysis: `求职期间` (qiúzhí qījiān) means “the job-hunting period,” treating the entire process as a distinct phase of life.
• Example 10:
  • 现在经济不景气，求职竞争非常激烈。
  • Pinyin: Xiànzài jīngjì bù jǐngqì, qiúzhí jìngzhēng fēicháng jīliè.
  • English: The economy is in a downturn right now, so the job-hunting competition is extremely fierce.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows `求职` used to describe the competitive environment (`竞争` - jìngzhēng) of the job market.

• `求职 (qiúzhí)` vs. `找工作 (zhǎo gōngzuò)`:
  • `求职` is more formal and written. It's the word you use on your resume, on professional networking sites, and in formal discussions about employment.
  • `找工作` (zhǎo gōngzuò - literally “to find work”) is more colloquial and common in everyday spoken Chinese.
  • They are largely interchangeable, but using `求职` makes you sound more professional. Think of it as “seeking employment” (求职) vs. “looking for a job” (找工作).
• Common Mistake: Using `求职` as the job itself.
  • A learner might incorrectly say: “我的求职是工程师。” (Wǒ de qiúzhí shì gōngchéngshī.) → “My job hunt is an engineer.” This is wrong.
  • `求职` is the *process* of looking, not the position.
  • Correct: “我求职的目标是成为一名工程师。” (Wǒ qiúzhí de mùbiāo shì chéngwéi yì míng gōngchéngshī.) → “My job-hunting goal is to become an engineer.”
  • Correct: “我在求职，想当一名工程师。” (Wǒ zài qiúzhí, xiǎng dāng yì míng gōngchéngshī.) → “I am job hunting and want to be an engineer.”

• 找工作 (zhǎo gōngzuò) - The more colloquial, spoken equivalent of `求职`.
• 招聘 (zhāopìn) - To recruit; the company's action of hiring. It's the “other side” of `求职`.
• 简历 (jiǎnlì) - Resume / CV. An essential document for `求职`.
• 面试 (miànshì) - Interview. A critical step in the `求职` process.
• 求职信 (qiúzhíxìn) - Cover letter. The formal letter accompanying a `简历`.
• 求职者 (qiúzhízhě) - Job seeker / applicant. The person who is engaged in `求职`.
• 职业 (zhíyè) - Profession, occupation, career. The long-term path one seeks through `求职`.
• 工作 (gōngzuò) - Job, work. The general term for what a `求职者` is looking for.
• 铁饭碗 (tiě fànwǎn) - “Iron rice bowl.” A metaphor for a secure, stable job for life, a traditional goal of `求职`.
• 毕业季 (bìyè jì) - “Graduation season.” The peak season (typically May-July) when millions of graduates start the `求职` process.