Interviews can be a buffet of questions. You’ve got a variety of them thrown at you with full force. And while some of them can be predictable, others can be a tad bit confusing. Like this one: What was your job Location? Some employers may switch around and ask you for your ‘job site’ instead. That raises more questions: Are job locations and job sites different? What answer am I supposed to give to this question? Job Location or Job Site? Job location and job site are almost the same terms. Almost. There is a very slight difference between the two, but if you ever have to face either of the words in an interview, your answer will remain unchanged.
This article tries to address the question of what is the difference between the two? When are they used? And what should my answer be? If you are confused and in need of some explanations, then you’re at the right place.
Job Location or Job Site?- What’s the Difference?
In simple words, job location is the location of your workplace. If you’ve ever worked something similar to a desk job, then you’d be familiar with the corporate structure. Almost all tasks are performed at a single location. That is your job location.
Several jobs, like reporting, surveying, technician, etc., require immense field-related work. Such jobs might require you to spend large amounts of time at different places, leading to the question: What would be your job location?
In such instances, your job location would be the place where you report. All companies have a location where the majority of the work takes place. That place would be your job location.
Job site, on the other hand, is used to refer to a place of implementation. The word ‘job site’ is often used to refer to more physical work, for example, construction sites.
In spirit, both these words carry the same meaning. But, the nature of the work and tasks can change the way their interpretations.
How to answer when asked about your job location or site?
During interviews, recruiters tend to ask candidates about their previous job location. While the question may sound odd, it does have some intentions behind it. Recruiters wish to know where you’re geographically located and where you worked in the past. The recruiters want to know your experience at different places and locations. Sometimes, they might also want to know how far away you’re situated from them.
In any case, your answer would include telling them about where your previous work location was. While the word ‘workplace’ clearly asks for an address, ‘job location can be interpreted to be a looser. That means, that instead of giving your recruiters the complete address, you can simply mention the street or district name.
The same goes for Job sites. Sites like construction sites are easily recognized by their project names, so, make sure to mention that as well.
What do I say if I work remotely?
Job location and sites are about the place where you last worked. If you’ve worked remotely in the past then technically, your job location would be your home.
But, instead of answering with your home address, tell the recruiters that you’re a remote worker. Working remotely is a growing phenomenon with its own set of advantages, so your recruiters won’t think negatively of it.
It doesn’t matter what word your interviewer uses. Your answer is more or less likely to be the same. So don’t fret. Either way, your job location is a small part of the entire interview process.
Frequently Asked Question
Q1. What is a job location?
Job location refers to your place of work. When asked during interviews, job location means the address of your last workplace.
Several jobs require fieldwork. In such cases, the place where you collect and submit your findings will become your last job location. It is simply the place where the majority of the work takes place.
Q2. What is a job site?
Job sites aren’t that different from a job location. Job sites refer to work location that consists of more physical work. The term ‘job site’ is most popularly used to refer to the construction worksite. However, it can also be used to talk about factory sites and other craft-related work.
Q3. What do interviewers mean when they ask about ‘job location?’
When your interviewers ask you about your past job location, they simply wish to know the address. You do not have to give them a complete, line-by-line address. Mentioning the street or district name of your past job location would do.
The same also goes for job sites.
Q4. Is work location different from job location?
No. Work location and job locations are the same things. Work location, too, refers to a more permanent location like a building or a plant visited by regular employees.
