就业 (jiù yè) literally combines 就 (jiù, 'to take up' or 'to assume') and 业 (yè, 'occupation' or 'profession'), meaning 'to enter the workforce' or 'to secure employment'. It refers to the process of obtaining one's first job after education, transitioning into formal employment, or starting a stable career position. While it can be used as a verb ('to get employed'), it functions more commonly as a noun in contexts like 就业率 (employment rate) or 就业指导 (career counseling).

This term is widely used in official, educational, and media contexts — especially when discussing graduates, labor markets, government employment policies, or vocational training. It carries a formal, somewhat institutional tone and is rarely used for casual part-time or temporary gigs; for those, terms like 找工作 (look for work) or 打工 (do odd jobs) are more natural. 就业 emphasizes legitimacy, stability, and social integration through work.