How to Unlock the Secret Code of Job Ads
Job advertisements posted by companies seeking candidates are often more aspirational than realistic. They are trying to find the person that matches their needs and values the most, so even if you don’t fit every single criterion, don't despair. But that doesn’t mean you should skim job postings and apply for as many as possible.
By reading them carefully and watching out for some key phrases, you’ll be able to save yourself and the recruiters a lot of time and effort. It’s much more productive to apply for fewer but more appropriate positions, write convincing cover letters, and be properly prepared for screening phone interviews.
Focus on these areas of a job advertisement:
Job Title
This section of the advertisement is meant to describe the position and responsibilities held by the future employee in just a few words. They’re assuming that you might be searching for the title using keywords and that’s why you’ll find some that contain the word 'manager' but, in reality, the managerial aspects of the jobs are quite limited.Keep in mind that job titles will differ from industry to industry. A an 'executive' in one enterprise might be called 'senior' in another, and whilst 'editorial assistant' may sound similar to 'assistant editor'; they don’t have the same duties.
Job Description
A job description is intended to offer job seekers a summary of the main responsibilities and expectations of the particular position they are applying for. They are usually written with the assistance of the company's HR department or after receiving some input from an external recruiter. Patrick Algrim, owner of the career site Algrim.co said, "job description templates can save you a lot of time getting your job listing off the ground in a way that helps get responses."
Here you’ll see the expected level of education and career experience. Read through the bullet points and think about whether this is the kind of job you can handle. You don’t have to meet every requirement, but it should be at about 80%. If you took a job you’re not skilled enough to do well, do you think you’ll be happy Monday to Friday? Or stressed out of your mind? If you see phrases like “good at multi-tasking”, “deadline-driven”, and “resilient to stress”, they might be warning you that this job requires a bit more work than your average person can bear.
It’s up to you to decide if that’s something you’re comfortable with. Likewise, a “good sense of humor” might imply that this is the kind of environment in which you’ll frequently find yourself getting frustrated, and you should be the kind of person who can roll with the punches.
About Us Section
Most job advertisements have a section in which a more or less detailed description of the company is provided, and maybe a link to their website. This is perhaps the portion that you should review the most thoroughly.
You should also research their website, their employee reviews, their reputation, and their corporate values. You’ll know what you’re getting yourself into and also be better equipped to handle an interview.