When you come across a job listing online it can provide a ton of information and sometimes be a bit overwhelming. Despite how tempted we might be to skim through the listing, it is important to take your time and read through each portion carefully.

Let’s break down the sections and find out what they mean and also why they are important!

-Job Title This is the name of the position you will hold at that company. Although it sounds obvious the title can have different meanings across different industries and companies, so be sure you do a little research if you are unsure. For example, editorial assistant and assistant editor may sound similar but are two different positions. Examine the job title closely for clues about the required experience in this position, the level of responsibility involved, the salary, and the nature of the work.

-Qualifications Also called requirements or experience, this section of a job description tells you the type of accomplishments the employer expects you to have. You may see things here like high school graduate or prior experience in… It's definitely not a deal-breaker if you do not have all of the qualifications listed, but the more you do possess the better the chances of landing the job.

-Responsibilities This is what you would be expected to do at the job on a day to day basis. Take a close look and decide if would you enjoy this type of work. Some job postings will occasionally phrase the responsibilities in odd terms, but if some things don't seem familiar, that's doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't apply. However, if you're completely unfamiliar with ALL the responsibilities, it could be a sign this isn't the best position for you.

-Benefits and Pay While hourly salaries are often plainly stated, some companies tend to be a bit shy about sharing salaried positions. You may see phrases like "salary commensurate with experience" or "competitive salary" which do not reveal too much. When in doubt do some online searching if it isn’t directly stated to see if you can find out more info, or consider asking the recruiter what the position currently pays.

-About Us Most job postings will provide a little background info on the company, but you can also find even more info on the company’s website. Have this be your starting point in researching the company, and understanding its culture and values. This will certainly come up during the interview and will come in extra handy when they ask you why you want to work for them. You will also want to make sure this job is a place you want to be. If you don’t like what the company stands for you may want to move on.

By reviewing a job listing more closely you will be able to better determine if this is the job for you as well as learn a bit more about the role!

Remember if the job listing leaves you scratching your head don’t be afraid to do a little more research.

Good luck with your job search! : )

Please feel free to comment with any questions you have!