How to read and understand job posts.
Welcome to yet another job-searching tip aimed at helping you move one step closer to getting the job you are desperately looking for. In this article, we help you understand job posts. We will analyze all the sections of a job post and what is required of you. By the end of this article, you will be able to identify words and phrases that will help you understand what the job requires and how you are going to apply for it.
We are going to take a job post excerpt from Indeed as our case study. Then, we will analyze the sample post till we understand what it’s all about and interpret the application requirements of the job. Our example job post is that of a sales representative.
A job consists of 3 parts which we will call Part A, Part B, and Part C.
Part A is the header where the title, the company hiring, and the location of the job are found. Then, part B is the body where the job description and qualifications are found. Finally, there is part C where the application button is found.
Job Tittle
The job tittle is the name of the job that is on offer. In this instance, the job title is that of a sales representative. Job titles can be confusing because they do not stay the same, they evolve with time. An example is that of a salesperson. Nowadays instead of a salesperson, you might see the title sales consultant/sales representative/sales agent.
Ultimately, this is the same job but the tittle has changed due to the evolving nature of work. We dive into this topic much deeper in our previously published article “Don’t Let Job Titles intimidate you and limit your job applications”, so, check it out to understand further. Ultimately, do not be discouraged from applying for a job because of fancy titles, proceed to the job description and see whether you are a fit for the position.
Hiring Company/Name
Usually, below the job tittle there is the name of the company hiring. You need to get to know the company you want to work for. This will make your application much easier, for you will get to know what is required of you from them. Consequently, this will result in you creating a good tailored application that will entice and satisfy the recruiter. You see, research is such a big part of job searching,and is vital for your application success. So, click the name of the company and see the details of that company, what they do, their culture, values. If they align with yours then proceed to apply for the job.
Work Location
The work location entails where the job is going to be based. This will also help you in your application. Some jobs are based in faraway places, so before applying you have to also consider if you are willing to move. Some jobs can be remote, signifying that they can be done at home or anywhere in the country. Now when a job is labeled remote, it is not clear where the remote location is.
It can be remote meaning working at home or remote meaning working away from the office, maybe traveling. If you do not understand what the location is, reach out to the employer and ask about the location or anything you do not understand about the job.
Job Type
Job type describes the duration of the job whether it is full-time or part-time. If you want to go to school and also work then you are in search of a part-time job, however, if you want a higher salary and job security then a full-time job will be your best option. So depending on your priorities choose the type of job that is right for you.
Job description
So let’s look at the actual job description. Look at the excerpt below,
What it says:
“Our client, a leading stationery supplier is looking for a competitive Sales Representative to grow, service, and maintain their client base. The ideal candidate would be able to travel locally and over the border.”
What it really means:
It means the company is looking for a salesperson, to find potential customers for their product. The person must be willing to travel and spend most of their time away from their homes. The keywords in this excerpt are competitive, grow, and travel. So this means when you write your CV or application make sure you highlight your competitiveness and your ability to sell products and increase the company`s client base. Make sure you highlight the keywords of the job description so that you don’t stray away from the job requirements.
Qualifications
The qualifications section typically includes a specific level of education skills and professional experience. You might encounter qualifications with words like “preferred” or “essential” in brackets. The “preferred” tag means that those without the qualification can apply however those with the qualification have a better chance of getting the job. Some qualifications have the “essential” tag meaning that qualification is required for you to get the job.
Remember you are not hired because you have all the metrics required only. Some people might not have the right education qualifications but however, have a vast experience in the same industry. Recruiters might prefer experience over educational qualification and the opposite is true. So do not be discouraged to apply if you do not meet all the requirements rather emphasize on those requirements you have and show the recruiters why you are the right person for the job.
In conclusion, do not just read through a job post like a social media post. However, study, understand the post, and know what is required of you by the recruiter. Check the keywords in the post and make sure you include them in your application. Good luck.
