When you are looking for a new job do you really read the description? Over the years I have received applications from the perfect candidates to wondering why someone has applied. I have also had numerous conversations with people who have applied for a role but when I’ve called has no idea what they applied for.
You can’t rely on a job title - assistant, associate, senior, partner, lead, it’s very difficult to understand if the role you are looking for has the same job title in different companies but I can assure you, job descriptions are not thrown together!
So, here is a guide of what to look for when you want your application to be successful –
Duties
All job descriptions will list the main aspects of the role and what you will be doing on a day to day basis, this doesn’t mean you have to be able to demonstrate your experience in all of those things BUT you will need to have some knowledge theoretical or practical.
Experience
This is usually in line with the duties, this section is the employer telling you what they will need you to be able to demonstrate in order to get through the process and to offer. You will need your CV to showcase this experience to get to the next stage, if you don’t have what they are looking for then you won’t get through.
Salary
This is something that isn’t always on a job advert and is something that really should be. The salary of the role generally helps to benchmark the level you will be expected to work at. Everyone wants a higher salary as possible but if you are currently on £25,000 you will more than likely not have the experience you would need for a role at £60,000.
Location
Make sure you will be able to get to the office, yes there is hybrid working but unless it states fully remote you will be expected to go to the office on either a regular or ad hoc basis. Make sure you are applying for roles in locations that you are either willing to relocate to or that you are able to get to. Do not expect an employer to pay any expenses for your travel to the office.
Company
There is always a company overview on the job description – Read it! This usually tells you subtle information about the way they work, what they do, who they work with. Why would you even apply for a job unless you want to work for the company?
If you want to be successful with your applications, don’t just click on 'submit CV' – don’t forget that recruiters and talent acquisition teams deal with multiple vacancies, if they see your CV multiple times for various roles with differing criteria it will harm your applications. Take your time - READ, UNDERSTAND, ADAPT.