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B1 verb #3,000 most common 10 min read

求职

qiúzhí Top 3,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 求职 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 求职 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '求职' (qiúzhí) might be a bit advanced, but it's good to recognize. Think of it as a formal way to say 'I want a job.' At this stage, you mostly use '找工作' (zhǎo gōngzuò). You can imagine '求' means 'I want/ask' and '职' means 'job.' If you see this word on a website, it means 'Job Search.' You don't need to use it in complex sentences yet. Just remember that it's about the process of finding work. For example, if you see a button on a website that says '求职,' it is the place where you look for employment opportunities. It's like the 'Careers' or 'Jobs' section on an English website. You might also see '求职者' (qiúzhí zhě), which just means 'job seeker' or 'the person looking for a job.' Even at A1, knowing this word helps you navigate Chinese apps or websites where you might want to find work or see how people talk about their careers. Keep it simple: 求职 = looking for a job (formal).

At the A2 level, you can start using '求职' in simple sentences and understand its role in basic professional contexts. You should know that it's more formal than '找工作.' You might use it when talking about your life goals or what you are doing after school. For example, '我毕业了，正在求职' (I graduated and am currently seeking a job). You will also encounter it in compound words. '求职信' (qiúzhí xìn) is a 'job-seeking letter' or cover letter. '求职简历' (qiúzhí jiǎnlì) is a resume. At this level, you should be able to distinguish between the person (求职者) and the action (求职). You might hear people talking about '求职季' (qiúzhí jì), which is the 'job-hunting season.' This is usually in the spring or autumn in China. Understanding this word helps you talk about your daily activities if you are currently unemployed or looking for a better position. It’s a step up from basic vocabulary and makes you sound more like an adult who understands professional settings.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using '求职' in both speaking and writing. You understand that it is a verb-object compound and know how to use it with prepositions like '向' (xiàng - towards/to). For example, '他向那家大公司求职' (He applied for a job at that big company). You also understand that '求职' is an intransitive verb in practice, meaning you don't put another object after it. You should be able to use it to describe a process: '求职的过程很辛苦' (The process of job hunting is very hard). At this stage, you can also start to use related terms like '求职意向' (job preference/intention) when filling out forms. You recognize that '求职' is the appropriate word for LinkedIn profiles, formal emails, and professional discussions. You can compare it with '应聘' (to apply for a specific post) and know that '求职' is the broader term for the whole search. This is the level where you start to navigate the Chinese job market actively, and this word is your primary tool for describing that journey.

At the B2 level, '求职' becomes a word you use to discuss social and economic issues. You can talk about the '求职压力' (job-seeking pressure) faced by young people or the '求职市场' (job market) trends. You understand the nuances between '求职,' '谋职,' and '择业.' You can use '求职' as a modifier in complex noun phrases like '求职高峰期' (peak job-seeking period) or '求职成功率' (job-seeking success rate). You are also aware of the cultural context, such as the 'Gold September, Silver October' recruitment seasons. You can write a formal '求职信' with the correct tone and vocabulary. In discussions, you can use the word to analyze the labor market: '随着人工智能的发展，传统的求职方式正在改变' (With the development of AI, traditional job-seeking methods are changing). You are no longer just using the word to describe yourself; you are using it to describe a system and a socio-economic phenomenon. Your usage is precise, and you avoid common mistakes like '求职一个工作.'

At the C1 level, your use of '求职' is sophisticated and contextually perfect. You can discuss '求职策略' (job-seeking strategies) in depth, including networking, personal branding, and algorithmic filtering on job platforms. You understand the historical evolution of the word from the planned economy era to the modern competitive era. You can use it in high-level academic or professional writing to discuss '求职者的心理资本' (psychological capital of job seekers) or '求职歧视' (job-seeking discrimination). You are comfortable with idiomatic expressions and formal literary synonyms like '谋职' or '寻职.' You can participate in debates about the '求职难' (difficulty of finding jobs) and provide nuanced arguments about structural unemployment. You also recognize how '求职' interacts with other professional terms like '五险一金' (social security and housing fund) in the context of job offers. Your command of the word allows you to sound like a native professional, capable of navigating any career-related conversation with ease and authority.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of '求职' and its place within the vast landscape of the Chinese language. you can analyze the linguistic nuances of the character '求' (to entreat/seek) and how it reflects the power dynamic between the applicant and the employer. You can write comprehensive reports on '求职行为分析' (analysis of job-seeking behavior) or '求职路径的数字化转型' (digital transformation of job-seeking paths). You are aware of the most obscure collocations and can use the word in creative, literary, or highly technical ways. You can discuss the philosophical aspects of '求职' as a search for identity and purpose in the modern world. You can effortlessly switch between the formal '求职,' the colloquial '找工作,' and the literary '谋职' depending on the audience and purpose. Your understanding includes the legal, economic, and psychological dimensions of the term. You are essentially indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker in your ability to use and analyze this word in any imaginable context.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

求职 in 30 Seconds

求职 (qiúzhí) is a formal verb meaning 'to seek employment' or 'job hunt.'
It is composed of 求 (seek) and 职 (post/job), making it more professional than 找工作.
Commonly used in compound nouns like 求职信 (cover letter) and 求职者 (job seeker).
It is an intransitive verb-object compound, so it cannot take a direct object like 'a company'.

The Chinese word 求职 (qiúzhí) is a formal and essential term in the Mandarin lexicon, specifically categorized as a verb-object compound that translates to 'seeking employment' or 'looking for a job.' To understand its depth, one must look at its constituent characters: 求 (qiú), which means to seek, request, or entreat, and 职 (zhí), which refers to a post, a duty, or a professional position. Unlike the more colloquial phrase 找工作 (zhǎo gōngzuò), which can be used in almost any casual setting, 求职 carries a professional weight suitable for resumes, news reports, official documents, and formal introductions. It describes the comprehensive process of positioning oneself in the labor market, from polishing a CV to attending interviews. In modern China, the concept of 求职 has evolved significantly. Historically, during the era of the 'Iron Rice Bowl' (铁饭碗), jobs were often assigned by the state. However, in the contemporary market economy, 求职 represents a competitive, proactive endeavor. It is used when discussing career transitions, university graduates entering the workforce (应届生求职), or the general state of the employment market. When you use this word, you are not just saying you need money; you are indicating that you are seeking a professional role within a structured organization.

Formal Usage: Used in news headlines like '毕业生求职高峰期' (Peak job-seeking season for graduates).
Compound Forms: Commonly paired with other nouns to form '求职信' (cover letter) or '求职者' (job seeker).

他在互联网行业已经求职三个月了。 (He has been seeking employment in the internet industry for three months.)

Culturally, the act of 求职 is often associated with high-pressure seasons known as 'Gold September, Silver October' (金九银十) or 'Spring Recruitment' (春招), where millions of candidates flood the market. It implies a level of seriousness and systemic approach to one's career path.

这份求职简历写得非常专业。 (This job-seeking resume is written very professionally.)

Register: Middle to High. Suitable for professional environments and written Chinese.

由于经济不景气，很多人的求职之路变得困难。 (Due to the economic downturn, many people's job-seeking paths have become difficult.)

通过社交网络求职已成为一种趋势。 (Seeking jobs through social networks has become a trend.)

Visualizing the Term: Imagine a person holding a briefcase and a folder of resumes standing before a tall office building; that is the essence of '求职'.

他在求职面试中表现得很自信。 (He performed very confidently in the job interview.)

In summary, 求职 is the professional standard for the English concept of 'job hunting.' It encompasses the hope, the effort, and the formal procedure of finding one's place in the professional world.

Using 求职 (qiúzhí) correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical function as a verb-object compound. In Chinese, such words often behave differently than simple verbs. You cannot directly follow 求职 with a direct object. For example, you cannot say '求职一个公司' (seeking a job a company). Instead, you must use prepositional phrases or treat it as an intransitive verb. Common structures include '向...求职' (to seek a job from...) or using it as a modifier for nouns.

Structure A: As a standalone verb: Subject + (Adv.) + 求职. Example: 他正在积极求职。 (He is actively seeking a job.)

大学毕业后，他开始了漫长的求职过程。 (After graduating from university, he began a long job-seeking process.)

Structure B: Prepositional Phrases: Subject + 向/在 + Place + 求职. Example: 他向这家跨国公司求职。 (He applied for a job at this multinational company.)

很多年轻人选择在上海求职。 (Many young people choose to look for jobs in Shanghai.)

Another highly productive way to use 求职 is in compound nouns. These are fixed terms you will encounter in every recruitment app and career center.

Common Compounds: 求职信 (Cover Letter), 求职简历 (Resume), 求职网 (Job website), 求职者 (Job hunter), 求职意向 (Job preference).

请在邮件中附上你的求职信。 (Please attach your cover letter in the email.)

他已经求职成功，下周开始上班。 (He has successfully found a job and will start working next week.)

In more complex sentences, 求职 can act as the subject or the topic. For example, '求职不是一件容易的事' (Job hunting is not an easy thing). Here, it functions as a gerund would in English. By mastering these patterns, you can discuss career development with the precision of a native speaker.

面对激烈的求职竞争，我们需要不断提升自己。 (Facing fierce job-seeking competition, we need to constantly improve ourselves.)

Advanced Pattern: '为了...而求职' (Seeking a job for the sake of...). Example: 他为了积累经验而求职。 (He is job hunting to gain experience.)

他在各种求职平台上投递了简历。 (He submitted resumes on various job-seeking platforms.)

In the daily life of a Chinese speaker, 求职 (qiúzhí) is a word that echoes through subway advertisements, university hallways, and family dinner conversations. If you walk into a major Chinese bookstore, you will find an entire section dedicated to 求职技巧 (job-seeking skills). On television, reality shows like 'Only You' (非你莫属) or 'The Offer' (令人心动的offer) are centered entirely around the 求职 process, showing candidates as they navigate the complexities of corporate expectations.

Digital Context: Apps like Boss Zhipin (Boss直聘), Liepin (猎聘), and 51Job (前程无忧) use '求职' as their primary category label for users looking for work.

在这个APP上，你可以根据自己的求职意向筛选职位。 (On this app, you can filter positions based on your job-seeking intentions.)

Another major venue for this word is the 招聘会 (job fair). These massive events, often held in convention centers, are frequently referred to in news reports as 求职盛会. In these settings, you'll hear recruiters asking, '你的求职目标是什么？' (What is your job-seeking goal?).

Academic Settings: Universities have '求职指导中心' (Career Guidance Centers) that help students transition from study to work.

学校举办了一场专门针对海外留学生的求职讲座。 (The school held a job-seeking lecture specifically for international students.)

In the workplace, HR departments often discuss 求职者 (job applicants). When a position opens up, they review the 求职简历 of various candidates. Social media platforms like WeChat and Xiaohongshu are also full of '求职攻略' (job-seeking strategies), where users share tips on how to pass interviews at major tech firms like Tencent or Alibaba.

他通过朋友的推荐，顺利完成了这次求职。 (Through a friend's recommendation, he successfully completed this job search.)

他在求职过程中遇到了不少挑战。 (He encountered many challenges during the job-seeking process.)

News Media: Economic reports often cite '求职人数' (number of job seekers) as an indicator of labor market health.

今年的求职市场竞争异常激烈。 (The job market competition this year is exceptionally fierce.)

Ultimately, 求职 is a term that bridges the gap between personal ambition and the institutional labor market. Whether you are reading a formal email or browsing a career app, this word will be your constant companion in the professional world.

Even intermediate learners often stumble when using 求职 (qiúzhí) because of its specific grammatical constraints and formal register. The most frequent error is treating it as a standard transitive verb that can take a direct object. In English, we say 'I am seeking a job.' In Chinese, 求职 already contains the object '职' (job/position). Therefore, saying '求职一个工作' is redundant and grammatically incorrect—it's like saying 'seeking-job a job.'

Mistake 1: Redundancy: Incorrect: 我在求职一个会计的工作。 (I am seeking-job an accounting job.)
Correct: 我在寻找一份会计工作。 OR 我正在求职。 (I am looking for an accounting job. OR I am job-hunting.)

千万不要说“求职一个职位”，这在语法上是错误的。 (Never say 'seek-job a position'; this is grammatically wrong.)

Mistake 2: Confusing with '招聘' (zhāopìn): 求职 (qiúzhí) is what the worker does. 招聘 (zhāopìn) is what the company does. Learners sometimes swap them. Remember: You '求' (seek) the '职', while the company '招' (invites/recruits) the talent.

公司在招聘，而我在求职。 (The company is hiring, and I am job hunting.)

Mistake 3: Register Mismatch: Using '求职' in very casual texting with friends can sound a bit stiff. If you're just telling a buddy you're looking for work, '找工作' is more natural. Use '求职' for LinkedIn, resumes, or formal interviews.

Mistake 4: Misusing '入职' (rùzhí): Some learners use '求职' when they mean they've already started. '入职' means to start the job (onboarding). '求职' is only for the hunting phase.

我已经完成了求职，明天就要入职了。 (I have finished my job search and will start the job tomorrow.)

在求职信中，不要出现语法错误。 (In a cover letter, do not have grammatical errors.)

Mistake 5: Preposition Errors: Learners often forget to use '向' (xiàng) or '到' (dào) when specifying the company. You seek 'towards' a company, not 'at' it in the English sense. Incorrect: 在公司求职 (while possible, it implies physical location). Correct: 向公司求职 (applying to the company).

他向多家银行求职，但都失败了。 (He applied to several banks but failed all of them.)

By avoiding these five common pitfalls, you will sound much more professional and grammatically accurate when discussing your career in Chinese.

In the world of professional Chinese, several words orbit the concept of 求职 (qiúzhí), each with its own nuance and context. Understanding these subtle differences is the key to reaching a B2 or C1 level of fluency. The most common alternative is 找工作 (zhǎo gōngzuò). While '求职' is formal, '找工作' is the universal, everyday way to say you're looking for a job. You can use '找工作' with your family, but you'd use '求职' in a formal speech.

应聘 (yìngpìn) vs. 求职: '应聘' specifically means 'to apply for an advertised position.' '求职' is the general activity of seeking work. You '求职' in a certain industry, but you '应聘' a specific role at a specific company.

他去那家公司应聘会计职位。 (He went to that company to apply for the accounting position.)

谋职 (móuzhí) vs. 求职: '谋职' is even more formal and slightly literary. The '谋' (móu) implies planning or strategizing. It is often used in literature or high-level economic discussions.

他远赴他乡，只为谋职。 (He traveled far to a foreign land just to seek a position.)

择业 (zéyè) vs. 求职: '择业' translates to 'choosing a career' or 'occupational choice.' While '求职' focuses on the search, '择业' focuses on the decision-making process of which path to take.

大学生的择业观念正在发生变化。 (The career choice concepts of university students are changing.)

投简历 (tóu jiǎnlì): Literally 'to throw/submit a resume.' This is a specific action within the '求职' process. It's very common in casual and semi-formal contexts.

我今天投了十份简历。 (I submitted ten resumes today.)

Finally, there is 考编 (kǎo biān), which is a specific type of 'job seeking' focused on getting a government or public institution job. This is a massive cultural phenomenon in China, often distinguished from private sector 求职. Understanding these variations allows you to navigate the Chinese professional landscape with nuance and accuracy.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient China, '求职' was often a process of scholars seeking patronage from local lords or passing imperial examinations to enter the civil service. The modern 'corporate' meaning only emerged in the 20th century.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tɕʰjoʊ̯³⁵ ʈʂɨ³⁵/

US /tɕʰjoʊ̯³⁵ ʈʂɨ³⁵/

Both syllables are equally stressed in Mandarin, but the rising tone on 'zhí' should be distinct.

Rhymes With

球 (qiú) 流 (liú) 牛 (niú) 值 (zhí) 直 (zhí) 执 (zhí) 职 (zhí) 止 (zhǐ - near rhyme)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'qiú' as 'kew' (English). It should be a 'q' sound like 'cheese' but with a rising tone.
Failing to curl the tongue for 'zhí'. It shouldn't sound like 'zee' or 'jee'.
Missing the second tone on 'zhí' and making it flat.
Confusing 'qiú' with 'qiu' (Autumn) - they sound the same, context is key.
Pronouncing 'zhí' like 'shí' (Time/Ten).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in context once you know '求' and '职'.

Writing 4/5

Requires remembering the strokes for '职' and avoiding redundancy errors.

Speaking 3/5

Tones are manageable but retroflex 'zh' needs practice.

Listening 3/5

Common in news and professional settings.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

工作 (Job) 找 (To find) 公司 (Company) 写 (To write) 学生 (Student)

Learn Next

简历 (Resume) 面试 (Interview) 招聘 (Recruit) 入职 (Onboard) 薪水 (Salary)

Advanced

职业规划 (Career planning) 人力资源 (HR) 猎头 (Headhunter) 跳槽 (Job hop) 五险一金 (Social benefits)

Grammar to Know

离合词 (Verb-Object Compounds)

求职 is a V-O compound. You can't say 求职工作.

Preposition '向'

向公司求职 (Apply to a company).

Adverbial Marker '地'

积极地求职 (Actively job hunting).

Aspect Marker '了'

他求职成功了 (He succeeded in job hunting).

Attribute Marker '的'

漫长的求职过程 (Long job-seeking process).

Examples by Level

他在求职。

He is looking for a job.

Simple Subject + Verb structure.

我想要求职。

I want to look for a job.

Using '想' (want) before the verb.

求职很难。

Job hunting is hard.

Using '求职' as a noun/subject.

他在网上求职。

He is job hunting online.

Adding a location '在网上'.

求职者很多。

There are many job seekers.

'求职者' means job seeker.

这是求职网。

This is a job website.

'求职网' is a compound noun.

你不要求职吗？

Don't you want to look for a job?

Negative question form.

他求职成功了。

He succeeded in finding a job.

'成功了' indicates completion/success.

我正在写求职信。

I am writing a cover letter.

正在 (zhèngzài) indicates an action in progress.

他去上海求职了。

He went to Shanghai to look for a job.

Verb 1 (去) + Place + Verb 2 (求职).

求职简历很重要。

A job resume is very important.

'求职简历' is a common compound noun.

他有很多求职经验。

He has a lot of job-seeking experience.

'求职经验' means job-hunting experience.

他在这个APP上求职。

He is looking for a job on this app.

Using '在...上' for digital platforms.

我的求职意向是老师。

My job preference is to be a teacher.

'求职意向' refers to one's career goal.

求职需要耐心。

Job hunting requires patience.

'需要' (need) + Noun.

他准备好了求职材料。

He has prepared his job application materials.

'求职材料' refers to documents like resumes and IDs.

他向那家跨国公司求职。

He applied for a job at that multinational company.

向 (xiàng) is the correct preposition for the company.

求职过程中，心态很重要。

During the job-seeking process, your mindset is very important.

'过程中' means 'during the process of'.

他参加了一场求职讲座。

He attended a job-seeking lecture.

'场' is the measure word for lectures/events.

现在的求职竞争非常激烈。

The current job-seeking competition is very fierce.

'激烈' (jiēliè) is a common adjective for competition.

他正在积极地求职。

He is actively seeking a job.

积极地 (jījí de) is an adverbial phrase.

这份求职信写得很感人。

This cover letter is written very touchingly.

得 (de) is used for resultative/descriptive complements.

他在求职面试中表现出色。

He performed excellently in the job interview.

'表现出色' means to perform excellently.

他决定通过网络求职。

He decided to look for a job through the internet.

通过 (tōngguò) means 'through' or 'by means of'.

由于经济不景气，求职变得更加困难。

Due to the economic downturn, job hunting has become more difficult.

由于 (yóuyú) is a formal way to say 'because of'.

他不断完善自己的求职简历。

He constantly improves his job resume.

完善 (wánshàn) means to perfect or improve.

求职者应当具备良好的沟通能力。

Job seekers should possess good communication skills.

具备 (jùbèi) means to possess or be equipped with.

他在求职高峰期投递了简历。

He submitted his resume during the peak job-seeking period.

'高峰期' means peak period.

求职意向书需要简洁明了。

The job preference statement needs to be concise and clear.

简洁明了 (jiǎnjié míngliǎo) is a four-character idiom.

他利用社交媒体扩展求职渠道。

He uses social media to expand his job-seeking channels.

渠道 (qúdào) means channel or medium.

政府采取措施帮助大学生求职。

The government is taking measures to help university students find jobs.

采取措施 (cǎiqǔ cuòshī) means to take measures.

在求职时，第一印象至关重要。

When job hunting, the first impression is crucial.

至关重要 (zhìguān zhòngyào) means extremely important.

求职歧视在某些行业依然存在。

Job-seeking discrimination still exists in certain industries.

求职歧视 (qiúzhí qíshì) is a formal sociological term.

他深入分析了当前的求职趋势。

He deeply analyzed the current job-seeking trends.

深入 (shēnrù) means in-depth.

求职者的心理素质对面试结果有很大影响。

A job seeker's psychological quality has a great impact on interview results.

心理素质 (xīnlǐ sùzhì) refers to mental toughness.

数字化转型彻底改变了传统的求职模式。

Digital transformation has completely changed traditional job-seeking patterns.

模式 (móshì) means pattern or model.

他在求职过程中表现出了极高的专业素养。

He showed extremely high professional quality during the job-seeking process.

专业素养 (zhuānyè sùyǎng) means professionalism.

应届毕业生面临着前所未有的求职挑战。

Fresh graduates are facing unprecedented job-seeking challenges.

前所未有 (qiánsuǒ wèiyǒu) means unprecedented.

求职平台应当加强对招聘信息的审核。

Job-seeking platforms should strengthen the auditing of recruitment information.

审核 (shěnhé) means to audit or verify.

他通过精准的求职定位，很快找到了工作。

Through precise job-seeking positioning, he found a job very quickly.

定位 (dìngwèi) means positioning.

结构性失业加剧了高端人才的求职难度。

Structural unemployment has exacerbated the job-seeking difficulty for high-end talent.

结构性失业 (jiégòuxìng shīyè) is a macro-economic term.

求职已不仅是谋生手段，更是自我价值的追寻。

Job seeking is no longer just a means of making a living, but a pursuit of self-worth.

不仅是...更是 (bùjǐn shì... gèng shì) structure.

灵活就业的兴起为传统求职观念带来了冲击。

The rise of flexible employment has brought a shock to traditional job-seeking concepts.

冲击 (chōngjī) means impact or shock.

求职信的遣词造句应当体现出候选人的文化底蕴。

The wording and phrasing of a cover letter should reflect the candidate's cultural background.

遣词造句 (qiǎncí zàojù) refers to phrasing and wording.

他在求职博弈中占据了有利地位。

He occupied a favorable position in the job-seeking game.

博弈 (bóyì) means game theory or contest.

政府应构建更加完善的求职公共服务体系。

The government should build a more complete public service system for job seeking.

体系 (tǐxì) means system.

跨国求职需要克服语言、文化及法律等多重障碍。

Cross-border job seeking requires overcoming multiple obstacles such as language, culture, and law.

多重 (duōchóng) means multiple/manifold.

求职市场的透明度直接影响到人力资源的配置效率。

The transparency of the job market directly affects the efficiency of human resource allocation.

配置 (pèizhì) means allocation/configuration.

Synonyms

找工作应聘谋职寻职

Antonyms

辞职解雇退休

Common Collocations

求职信

求职简历

求职者

求职意向

求职高峰期

求职面试

求职平台

积极求职

求职困难

求职技巧

Common Phrases

求职心切

— To be anxious or eager to find a job. Describes a state of mind.

他求职心切，所以有点紧张。

应届求职

— Job seeking by new graduates of the current year. Very common in recruitment.

应届求职的竞争非常大。

跨行求职

— Seeking a job in a different industry than one's previous experience.

跨行求职需要学习新技能。

求职陷阱

— Job-seeking traps or scams. Warning people about fake jobs.

小心网上的求职陷阱。

求职登记

— Job-seeking registration, often at a government labor bureau.

去劳动局做求职登记。

求职目标

— The specific job title or role one is aiming for.

明确你的求职目标。

求职补贴

— A job-seeking allowance or subsidy provided by the government.

符合条件的人可以领求职补贴。

求职经历

— The overall experience or history of one's job hunting.

分享你的求职经历。

求职成功

— Successfully finding and securing a job.

祝你求职成功！

求职热潮

— A surge or craze in job seeking, often seasonal.

节后出现了求职热潮。

Often Confused With

求职 vs 招聘

Recruitment (Company action) vs Job seeking (Individual action).

求职 vs 入职

Starting the job vs Searching for the job.

求职 vs 辞职

Leaving a job vs Looking for a job.

Idioms & Expressions

"求贤若渴"

— Seeking talent like one is thirsty. Used by employers, but relevant to the job market.

这家公司求贤若渴，对人才很重视。

Formal

"走马任职"

— To take up a post immediately. The opposite stage of求职.

他刚求职成功就走马任职了。

Literary

"毛遂自荐"

— To volunteer or recommend oneself for a position. Common in interviews.

我在求职面试中毛遂自荐。

Formal

"怀才不遇"

— To have talent but not find the opportunity to use it. A common feeling among job seekers.

他感到自己怀才不遇，所以一直在求职。

Literary

"如鱼得水"

— Like a fish in water. Finding the perfect job after seeking.

他在新公司感觉如鱼得水。

Idiomatic

"大材小用"

— Using a big talent for a small task. Common concern when seeking jobs.

他担心在这个职位上是大材小用。

Idiomatic

"名落孙山"

— To fail an exam or application. Used when a job search fails.

这次面试他又名落孙山了。

Literary

"脱颖而出"

— To stand out from the crowd. The goal of every job seeker.

在众多求职者中脱颖而出并不容易。

Formal

"伯乐相马"

— A good judge of talent (Bole) recognizing a good horse. The relationship between HR and seeker.

他希望在求职时遇到他的伯乐。

Literary

"锦绣前程"

— A bright and beautiful future. The ultimate goal of 求职.

祝你在求职后有锦绣前程。

Formal

Easily Confused

求职 vs 找工作

Both mean looking for a job.

找工作 is casual and spoken; 求职 is formal and written.

我在家找工作。 vs. 本人在积极求职。

求职 vs 应聘

Both involve getting a job.

应聘 is applying for a specific ad; 求职 is the general search.

我向该公司应聘会计。 vs. 我正在求职。

求职 vs 择业

Both relate to career.

择业 is choosing a career path; 求职 is the act of hunting.

择业要慎重。 vs. 求职要积极。

求职 vs 就业

Both relate to employment.

就业 is the state of being employed; 求职 is the search.

就业率很高。 vs. 求职者很多。

求职 vs 谋职

Both mean seeking a job.

谋职 is more literary and implies strategic planning.

他去海外谋职。

Sentence Patterns

S + 在 + 求职。

他在求职。

S + 想 + 求职。

我想求职。

S + 向 + Place + 求职。

他向银行求职。

S + 正在 + Adv + 求职。

他正在积极求职。

求职 + 过程/意向 + 很 + Adj。

求职过程很辛苦。

面对 + 求职 + Noun...

面对求职竞争，我们要努力。

求职 + 不仅是...更是...

求职不仅是谋生，更是理想。

随着...求职...发生了改变。

随着时代发展，求职模式发生了改变。

Word Family

Nouns

求职者 (Job seeker)

求职信 (Cover letter)

求职简历 (Resume)

职位 (Position)

职业 (Profession)

Verbs

求 (To seek)

职 (To post - rarely used alone as a verb)

入职 (To onboard)

离职 (To leave a job)

辞职 (To resign)

Adjectives

职业的 (Professional)

专职的 (Full-time)

兼职的 (Part-time)

招聘 (Recruitment)

面试 (Interview)

录取 (Admit/Hire)

薪水 (Salary)

跳槽 (Job hopping)

How to Use It

frequency

Very High in professional and media contexts.

Common Mistakes

求职一个工作 → 正在求职 / 找一份工作
求职 is already a verb-object compound. Adding '工作' makes it redundant.
在公司求职 → 向公司求职
When specifying the target company, '向' is the standard preposition.
求职者们 (for plural) → 很多求职者 / 求职者们 (rare)
Chinese usually indicates plural with '很多' or '众' rather than the suffix '们' for professional titles.
confusing 求职 and 招聘 → Use 求职 for yourself, 招聘 for the company.
One is seeking, the other is inviting.
Using 求职 for casual chores → 找活儿 / 找事做
求职 is for professional career roles only.

Tips

Avoid Redundancy

Never follow '求职' with '工作'. It's a common mistake for English speakers who translate 'seeking a job' literally.

Use in Resumes

Always use '求职' in your professional documents. Using '找工作' makes you look less professional.

Recruitment Seasons

In China, recruitment follows a strict calendar. Mentioning '秋招' (Autumn Recruitment) shows you understand the market.

Learn the Compounds

Focus on learning '求职信' and '求职简历' as single blocks of meaning.

Tone Accuracy

Both characters are 2nd tone. Make sure your voice rises twice to sound natural.

Formal Openings

In a cover letter, you can start with '本人目前正在求职...' (I am currently seeking a job...).

Context Clues

If you hear '毕业生' (graduate), '求职' is likely to follow soon after.

Intention

Be clear about your '求职意向' when talking to recruiters; it's the first thing they look for.

App Usage

When using Chinese job apps, look for the '求职' tab to manage your applications.

Performance

Pair '求职' with '表现' to talk about how you did in interviews: '求职表现出色'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine you are on your knees (求 - seeking/praying) in front of an office desk (职 - job). You are 'qiú'-ing for a 'zhí'.

Visual Association

Picture a person holding a magnifying glass (求) over a business card (职).

Word Web

求职简历面试招聘公司入职薪资意向

Challenge

Try to use '求职' in three different ways: as a verb, as part of '求职信', and as '求职者' in one paragraph.

Word Origin

The word is a modern compound of two ancient Chinese characters. '求' (qiú) originally depicted a person wearing a fur coat, later evolving to mean 'to seek' or 'to request.' '职' (zhí) originally referred to recording or hearing duties, evolving to mean 'official post' or 'duty.'

Original meaning: To seek a professional post or official duty.

Sino-Tibetan (Mandarin Chinese)

Cultural Context

Be aware that '求职难' (difficulty finding jobs) is a sensitive economic topic for many young Chinese people today.

In the West, 'job hunting' is the common term. '求职' maps more closely to 'seeking employment.'

The TV show '非你莫属' (Only You) - a famous job-seeking reality show. The book '求职指南' (Job Seeking Guide) - a generic title for many popular career books. LinkedIn (领英) - the primary global platform for '求职' in China.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

University Graduation

应届毕业生求职
校园招聘会
求职高峰期
第一份工作

Recruitment Apps

编辑求职意向
投递求职简历
求职者管理
热门求职职位

Formal Emails

提交求职申请
附上求职信
感谢您的求职意向
关于求职的咨询

Economic News

求职市场景气度
求职人数增加
求职难的问题
求职者心态分析

Career Counseling

提升求职竞争力
求职技巧指导
模拟求职面试
求职心理辅导

Conversation Starters

"你最近在求职吗？进展怎么样？ (Are you job hunting recently? How is it going?)"

"你觉得现在的求职市场竞争大吗？ (Do you think the current job market competition is big?)"

"你写求职信有什么好的建议吗？ (Do you have any good suggestions for writing a cover letter?)"

"你在求职面试中最怕被问到什么？ (What do you fear being asked most in a job interview?)"

"你通常使用哪些求职平台？ (Which job-seeking platforms do you usually use?)"

Journal Prompts

描述你最难忘的一次求职经历。 (Describe your most memorable job-seeking experience.)

如果你现在开始求职，你最想去哪家公司？为什么？ (If you start job hunting now, which company do you want to go to most? Why?)

讨论一下互联网对现代求职方式的影响。 (Discuss the impact of the internet on modern job-seeking methods.)

你认为求职时最重要的素质是什么？ (What do you think is the most important quality when job hunting?)

写一封简短的求职信介绍你自己。 (Write a short cover letter introducing yourself.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, this is redundant. '职' already means job. You should say '求职' or '寻找工作'.

It means 'job seeker' or 'applicant.' It is a formal term for someone looking for work.

The peak seasons are known as 'Gold September, Silver October' (Autumn recruitment) and 'Spring Recruitment' (March/April).

It can be both. As a verb: '他正在求职.' As a noun: '求职的过程很长.'

'求职' is the general search for work. '应聘' is applying for a specific, advertised job post.

It is '求职信' (qiúzhí xìn).

Yes, but usually it implies a professional part-time role. For casual gigs, '找兼职' is more common.

Use the preposition '向'. For example: '向华为求职' (Apply to Huawei).

It means 'job-seeking intention' or your career goal on a resume.

Yes, it is standard in all Mandarin-speaking regions.