Why is reading the job description important?
While you’re searching for work opportunities, it’s important to fully read and understand the job description provided by your potential employer. This involves knowing how to read the posting for clues and key things to help guide your job search and application process!
The importance of reading the entire job description
Job searching can be daunting - you spend a lot of valuable time searching for openings, updating resumes, applying, and preparing for interviews. But, to ensure a more successful and productive search, it’s important to review each and every description thoroughly and here’s why:
It saves time
By quickly skimming a job description, you could miss important details such as a task you wouldn’t enjoy doing daily, a mandatory qualification you don’t have, or a company value that you don’t agree with. If you are going to put effort into landing the gig, make sure you thoroughly understand what it entails!
You can understand how to sell yourself
Job descriptions are the secret weapon to customizing your resume and tailoring your application to every role. They are a snapshot into what your day-to-day would look like if you worked in that position. It includes responsibilities, qualifications and requirements to meet in order to perform that job. You can compare your resume to the job description and add in past education and experiences that align with the listing to showcase why you’d be an ideal candidate!
It will help you discover your gaps
As you go through multiple job listings, you may realize that there is a common theme in the qualifications section. Are there any recurring ones that you are lacking? They might include soft skills you can aim to develop or educational requirements you can earn through online classes or seminars. Use these gaps to make you a stronger applicant!
Pulling out important information
Job descriptions can be a bit overwhelming, but they tend to have common elements that you can pull out. Don’t get caught up in the overly detailed wording and keep an eye out for these key elements:
Qualification keywords
We’ve already learned about the importance of including keywords in your resume. A job description is the best place to find the correct keywords to use! It also gives you an insight into what the company is looking for in an applicant.
Company lingo
As you read through the job posting, you may notice certain phrases or buzzwords popping up over and over. Be sure to use these in your cover letter and resume to show that you have done your research on the company and are interested in being part of the team.
How to respond
Make sure to find out what the hiring manager’s preferred method of communication is. This is usually noted somewhere in the description. You don’t want to email a resume if HR wants you to submit an application through an online portal!
Company culture
Typically noted at the beginning of the description, company culture and job roles are important indicators that can help you decide if the organization is right for you and your values!
Learn more!
Check out these awesome articles for more advice on how to improve your job search.
Comments
Great tips - thank you.
Top notch as always,Ford