Job Candidates: How to Read Between the Lines of a Job Description

Let’s be real for a minute. Although many businesses and even staffing agencies claim they “just don’t get the qualified candidates” they would like, –we know there are two sides to every story. More often than not, a vague job description in an employment ad is at least partially to blame.

How many times have you set up an interview, arrived, and upon hearing additional details about the position, immediately realize this job is absolutely, positively, 100% NOT for you? Either you’re underqualified for the position, or the pay is too low, the location is wrong, the hours are not normal, or some other major detail just wasn’t revealed in the original ad. It really makes you wonder exactly why employers and recruiters create ads like this, doesn’t it? It reminds me of a bad dating service, or that TV show called Catfish, where the online dater portrays him or herself as someone completely different than who they are. I mean, if you’re hiring for a position that requires travel to a different location every day, plus you’re only offering 15 hours per week, don’t you’d think these details would be front and center, right?

Not always.

That’s why you should take a more proactive, almost investigative role when looking through employment ads. Here are a few tips to help you read between the lines of a job description:

Reading Between the Lines of a Job Description

• Vague Skill Requirements – Most companies, unfortunately, advertise for candidates with a high level of organization, the ability to multitask, and technological skills. You’ll be ahead of the crowd if you learn to decipher what this means. How can you do this? Research the company you’re applying for and put a bit of deductive reasoning skills to use. If you’re applying as a leasing agent, get your list of questions ready and make a phone call, “Hi, I’m thinking of applying for the opening you have for a leasing agent. Can you tell me what software programs the candidate should be familiar with? Are there other job requirements which would normally fall outside of the scope of a leasing agent?” By asking questions like this, you can often get some key insights into the position.

• Flexible Schedule – Don’t you love when an employment ad says this? Another opportunity for you to ask the right questions. In this instance, they would be, “Is this a full time position? Is there an ‘on-call’ requirement or split schedules?”

• Candidate Should Enjoy Travel – Wait, what? This could mean anything from, “We will send you all over the United States for fun and exciting training and corporate meetings to, you’ll be required to drive between seven locations, and regularly drive approximately 50 miles from your home.

• Leadership Background Required – Find out what this means. We’ve all been leaders to some degree, somewhere in life. Does the position require that the candidate has already worked in the field as a manager? Again, ask these questions during the initial phone call.

Be As Proactive As Possible

If you do discover the potential position may be right for you, do everything you can to present yourself well. Many employers aren’t sure what they’re looking for so be very detailed about problems you’ve solved in prior positions, duties you’ve taken on, and innovative ways you’ve helped the company to advance.

It may take a little extra work on your part, but if you’re going to land the job you desire, a little investigative work and the right presentation can go a long way toward your success!

If you’re searching for employment in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Bradenton, or Orlando, give HH Staffing Services a call. We will test your skills and match you up with a temp-to-perm or a temporary employment opportunity that matches your interest level as well as your skill set!

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