Understanding job adverts is an important way to find out if you are right for a role.
From a poster in a shop window to a multi-page PDF, here we look at how to understand the information on a job advert – and decide if the job is right for you.
Is the job suitable for me?
Your skills and experience need to match the information on the job advert. Other people will apply for the same roles – so you need to make sure you are a good fit for the vacancy.
If you match around 75-80 per cent of the criteria on the job advert, you have a good chance of being interviewed. You can do this by printing it out and highlighting the things that match with your skills and experience.
Understanding job adverts
Sometimes it is not always clear what the employer is looking for specifically. If the job is described as fast paced, you need to be energetic and good at working under pressure. If it asks for a specific skill, you need to prove you have it.
You do not need every requirement to get shortlisted, but it is useful to explain on your cover letter that you are interested in developing a particular skill or getting experience in a certain area. This will show that you are keen to learn and further yourself.
Focus your search
Only apply for roles you are truly interested in – and roles where your skills and experience match what is required. There is no point in applying for every job you come across as you will be wasting valuable time you could have spent improving a different application.
Job alerts and search filters can help you to focus in on what interests you and what you would be well suited for. Think about:
- What are you good at?
- How you interact with others?
- Which sectors or industries interest you?
- Whether you have researched various companies or job vacancies in your area?
- Whether you need to consider your personal circumstances, i.e. childcare or transport?
This will help you decide what you need from a role – and what you can offer to a company.
Take the next step
Once you have found a job advert that interests you, write a good CV that is tailored to that role.
