Speak like an employer: decoding job descriptions

There’s a lot of advice out there on how to approach a job search. Some people say it’s a numbers game and you should be applying to dozens of jobs every week. Others say it’s better to be laser focused and apply only to roles where you’d have a good chance of being hired. Whatever approach you take, you need to know one thing: how to decode a job description.

Every job description is a story about a need that’s not being filled. Yet not every person writing a job description is skilled at communicating that need or what it will take to fill it.

Your task as a job seeker is twofold:

• Understand the needs of the job poster
• Recognize whether you are able to fill those needs

If you don’t understand what employers are asking, you won’t know how to speak to their needs in your application. That’s why it’s so important to know how to read and understand job descriptions.

When we’re anxious about finding our next job, it’s easy to think job descriptions are sacred texts. They’re not.

Job descriptions can be written by someone who:

• Put a lot of thought into them
• Is a direct supervisor for the role
• Can make you shake in your shoes during an interview

Or, they may be written by people who:

• Are in a rush
• Don’t understand the role
• Haven’t done a good job explaining what the company needs

Heck, they can even be written by AI.

The point is, you don’t know what’s going on behind that job description. That’s good news. It means you don’t have to be intimidated. All you need to worry about is:

1. Whether you can be valuable to the company in that role
2. Whether it’s worth your time to apply

So how do you know that? Let’s get into the nitty gritty.

Most job postings have a similar format. Here’s a look at some of the most common elements.

Job title

This seems like it shouldn’t need any explanation. However, job titles can mean different things in different companies.

In some companies, an account manager means you manage other people. In others, an account manager is an entry-level position.

The term “director” can be misleading, too. Sometimes a director is a high-level position overseeing many departments. Other times a director is the only person in a department. “Coordinator” and “specialist” are other terms that can be ambiguous.

Where the role fits within the organization can be more important than its title. That being said, don’t rule yourself out of a position because it has a lofty-sounding title.

Job description

This is a general summary of the position. Job descriptions can include:

• Information on the department and where it fits in with the larger organization
• Which person you would report to
• Whether there are supervisory duties associated with the position
• Brief information on duties and responsibilities

Ellen, a recruiter with Fidelity, advises candidates to notice whether the job description mentions the company’s values. She says, “If their values align with yours, then you should apply. In addition, is there a part in the job description that describes the team? That one paragraph can entice you to read more or apply, and can reveal the company’s culture.”

Duties and responsibilities

These are the specifics of what the job entails. If it’s accurate and well-written, it will give you a sense of the core responsibilities of the role. It will also give you an idea of the day-to-day tasks you’d be engaged in.

Requirements

This section lays out the skills, experience, and education level the company wants from job candidates. These include degrees, technical proficiencies, and soft skills like communication and conflict resolution.

Some job descriptions list dozens of requirements. You might read those and think you’re not qualified.

PRO TIP: If you take nothing else from this article, know this. You do NOT have to have all of the requirements listed in a job posting.

Ellen says, “If you’re excited about the role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, I would encourage the candidate to apply anyway. They just might be the right candidate for this or other roles.”

In addition, there has been a lot of information published over the last decade about how men and women differ in their approach to job searching. Women tend to hold back from applying for roles unless they meet every qualification listed. Men are more likely to apply once they meet 60% of the requirements listed.

Some job postings now include language to encourage more diverse candidates to apply. It’s not uncommon for job posters to write something like this in the posting: “We realize that not every candidate will meet every requirement. If you meet some of the requirements and believe you can do this job, we want to hear from you.”

One last bit of advice: watch out for red flags in the job posting. These don’t always spell trouble, but here’s why you might want to proceed with caution when you see these:

“Unlimited earning potential”
Some or all of your pay is commission-based.

“We’re like a family.”
The company doesn’t have good boundaries and expects attendance at many outside-of-work functions.

“Wears a lot of hats”
You’re asked to do jobs outside of your area, or it could be a chaotic environment without clearly defined roles.

“Looking for a rock star” or “unicorn”
The company has unrealistic expectations for this role.

Be cautious when you see pay that seems too good to be true. Trust your gut if anything seems off.

Once you understand how to read job descriptions, you’ll have an easier time weeding out the ones that aren’t right for you. Then you can spend your time applying for jobs that you really want.