We’re going to start using the job postings you are interested in to help strengthen your digital profile and start preparing to build your resume. We talked early about how to dissect a job posting. You can refer to Page 7 in your 2nd Workbook if you want a visual reminder.
Job postings are typically broken out into several parts. The names of these sections can vary, but you should see information about the company, details on the desired qualifications of the potential employee, and a description of the responsibilities involved in the role.
- Job title: Keep in mind that the name of a job can have different meanings across industries and companies. “Editorial assistant” and “assistant editor,” may sound similar, but are different positions.
- Qualifications: Might also be called requirements or experience. This section details the type of accomplishments applicants should have. You may see things here like high school graduate or prior experience in… This is the type of background an applicant should have, including prior experience and accomplishments at other jobs, education, and skills. If you don’t have all of them, don’t automatically throw out the position. If you have at least 70% of the requirements, you can safely apply.
- Responsibilities: This is where you see what you would do if you took the job. Would you enjoy this work? Look for ways you can highlight matches with the experience on your resume. Some job postings will phrase the responsibilities in general terms ( lead the team), while others will provide more exact details (create weekly update). If you’re really unfamiliar with the responsibilities, it could be a sign this isn’t the best fit for you.
- About us: You’ll find background on the company. Use this as a starting point in researching the company, and understanding its culture and values.
- Benefits and pay: If it’s an hourly salary, you can usually find this information without a problem. However, companies tend to not post information when it comes to salaried positions. You’ll see phrases like “salary based on experience” or “competitive salary” which doesn’t tell you much. When it comes to benefits companies generally post this information since employees typically receive the same benefits.
- Experience level: Some postings will include details about the experience level. You may want to review this with the job title – a job posting looking for a project manager with 3 to 5 years of experience will have a different salary and responsibilities from a mid- to senior-level project manager.
What to Look For
Keep in mind the most important items and information are probably listed near the top. If you fit four out of five of the bullet points listed under qualifications, then you should be in good shape.
Remember there’s probably not one person who will be a perfect match. Think about what’s essential for applicants (must be comfortable using Access) and what’s a great skill (detail-oriented and effective communicator).
Look for skills or experience they repeat in the posting: Does the post refer to wanting self-starters under qualifications, and then mention a project that applicants will work independently on in the responsibilities section? That’s a great sign it matters and should be listed in your keywords.
Understand the Lingo
Job advertisements will use some common phrases. Some of these include – self-starter, great communication skills – are intended as clues. Jobs that require multi-tasking and deadline-driven can be hints as well.
When to Use Job Description Information
Read the description carefully, and several times. It’s a good idea to review at the following points:
- At the beginning: Your first look at the job description can be a quick review to see if you are compatible with the position and requirements.
- When writing your cover letter: Cover letter should be personalized for each job, and need to highlight information in the posting.
- Submitting an application: Before you submit your application, look to see if you have followed the instruction for applying for the position correctly? Did you include the correct keywords in your cover letter? Did you tweak your resume to reflect certain skills above others?
- Before the interview: Read the job description carefully before your interview. Focus on the details of the and plan which points you need to emphasize.
Don’t make the mistake of only skimming the job posting. The information included in job postings will help you submit the perfect application, and give strong responses to interview questions.
Today’s exercise
I suggest you find highlighters in multiple colors for the activity described today. It’s easier to visualize and see how to categorize information when it is color coded.
I also suggest you use at least 5 job postings to get a good across the board feel. If you are interested in multiple fields, you’ll need to do this for each broad category of work.
Print out the posting for 3-5 jobs you are interested in applying for. Take one colored pen and circle all of the words and phrases that relate to the expectations of the role. Then use another color and circle specific skills mentioned in the posting.
We’ll be using these lists to build your LinkedIn Headline, Summary, and strengthen your resume and Cover Letter. So keep them handy as we move forward.