Going full steam and applying for as many as possible is tempting when looking for a new job. This means you’re more likely to get employed, right? Well, this isn’t quite the case. Not only will you tire yourself out by spreading yourself too thin by applying for literally all of the jobs, but the likelihood of getting through to the interview round and securing the job is significantly reduced.
This is why it’s so important to take the time to fully understand the job descriptions for the roles you’re interested in. Not only will this save you time and effort in applying for roles that are right for you, but it’ll also increase your chances of landing the job you want.
But what exactly is a job description? Think of it as a ‘cheat sheet’, a brief written guide that contains all the essential information about a specific role. This role may be vacant or newly formed. It outlines the primary purpose of a job, how this role relates to the overall organisation, the key responsibilities and duties expected, and the requirements the employer is looking for.
Job descriptions are essential for the company to advertise the role and potential employees. Sometimes, a job description is among the first places candidates hear about a company. In this guide, we’ll go through what you need to know about job descriptions to make the right decision for you and your career. We’ll cover what job descriptions usually include, their purpose, and how to read and understand them.
What is in a job description?
So, what is the type of content you’ll typically find in a job description? Here’s what you’ll usually see:
- A brief introduction to the company that’s hiring, including its history, mission, and values
- The topline responsibilities of the job being advertised for. This may include details of any management duties and the types of roles that may report to you, if any
- Details of the team you’ll work with and who you’ll be reporting to (who your manager will be)
- The location and whether this is an in-office, hybrid, or remote role
- The type of role and whether it’s full-time, part-time, or contracted (like a freelancer)
- Some examples of typical tasks and duties outlining what a usual day or week may look like
- Details of person specifications, including skills and experience that are required and/or desired
- Details of parts of the job that might be challenging. Think of things like tight deadlines, a fast-paced environment, physical labour, and so on
- Benefits, compensation and pay. However, heads up that these aren’t always included
- Application instructions, details of what to expect from the interview process and any tests required
What’s included in this list shouldn’t be taken as gospel, though. Unfortunately, job descriptions are not standardised, but these are the most common features you’ll find pop up.
What is the purpose of a job description?
We’ve now covered what you usually find in a job description. But what’s the purpose of a job description? It’s actually two-fold for both employers and jobseekers.
A job description helps the employer find the right person for the job and the company. This is done by:
- Defining what the job role is
- Setting expectations for the job role and what it’s like to work at a company
Recruiters, HR personnel, and hiring managers can also use a job description as a reference point to assess candidates for the role and determine their suitability.
A job description helps jobseekers determine whether they’re the right person for the job and whether the company hiring is one they’d like to work for. A job description assists them to:
- See if a job suits their skill set, experience, interest and values
- See if a job meets their compensation expectations
- Prepare for the job application process, including the interview
How do you read a job description?
We now know job descriptions are important to employers and jobseekers, but how do you read them to understand what the role will be like? It’s easy to make assumptions without digging into the ins and outs of one, so here are our top tips for assessing a job description.
- Don’t skim, and read it more than once! Reading all the details is essential to ensure you’re qualified for the role and, more importantly, the role suits you. By not fully absorbing the information, your job search might go on for longer, which could, in turn, affect your confidence. Taking time to read and process information in a job ad will help increase your chances of getting to the interview and getting a job. It’ll also help you identify any red flags. Think of things like low hours/unlimited pay, vague and short descriptions, and relying on buzzwords.
- Remember that job titles don’t always give everything away; some are pretty vague. Not everything starts with ‘junior/senior’! Job titles can also vary a lot from company to company. Again, this is why reading the entire description is essential – you’ll get a far better idea of what seniority level the employer is looking for. You can do this by looking at the level of experience they want and the types of responsibilities you’ll have.
- The most important aspects of a job are likely to be included nearer the top of the description. This is especially true for responsibilities and experience. Look out for key themes/ideas being repeated, too—these might relate to hard or soft skills or be something specific the employer wants.
- Using phrases like ‘required/minimum’ indicates essential prerequisites for the job. If you don’t have most of the experience requested, it’s probably a good idea to skip applying. But don’t feel like it’s all a tick-box exercise. If you meet the majority of the requirements outlined, don’t let it discourage you from applying. Soft and transferrable skills are just as important as those hard skills and demonstrable experience.
- Is the salary expectation in line with industry standards? You can do a little internet research here. Use this time to learn about the company, too, and see what people who have already worked there are saying.
How do you ensure you’re applying for a job you’re interested in?
We’ve reviewed how to read a job description, so how do you use one to ensure you’re applying for a job you’re interested in? Keep reading for our tips.
- Use the practical information to your advantage. Things like where you’ll be working, how much you’ll be paid, etc. Do these meet your expectations? Are any of these flexible or non-negotiable? Remember, there are no right or wrong answers here!
- Make a list and/or underline the most critical points mentioned in the description. Use these to assess whether you have the skills/experience required and whether these are things you want to focus on. Do these meet with your own personal goals?
- Assess the job description as a whole. How does it make you feel? Does it indicate that it’ll meet the expectations of what you want from a job? Can you see yourself doing these tasks? How does the type of language used make you feel? And, importantly, what’s your gut reaction to the job description?
Job descriptions are valuable tools for figuring out whether a role is right for you. However, it’s important to take the time to read and analyse them to ensure you’re only applying for jobs that make sense for you. It’s easy to get caught up in applying for a bunch of jobs on the market, but without taking the time and slowing down, you might be doing yourself a bit of a disservice. Using job descriptions can help you make the right decisions for you and your career and save you time in the long run.
Now that you understand how to read and understand a job description, browse the opportunities available through Unitemps and start applying for jobs!
This article was written by Lois Neville.
Last updated on 16 July 2024
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