career
Rethinking and Deciphering the Job Description
During the job search, you will read hundreds of job descriptions – some will be well-written, providing details about the employer, while others will lack detailed information regarding the company’s needs.
As a Career Coach and Consultant with expertise in HR practices, I have conducted extensive research on the job market and recruiting process and strategies used by employers and multinational organizations to identify and select candidates that best fit the open positions. In this process, I have learned a lot about the codes used in job listings and the underlying meaning of a simple sentence used in job descriptions.
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While job descriptions are normally written by hiring managers or recruiters, it is actually the recruiter who screens and selects the candidates. Hence, as a job seeker, your goal will be to ensure that your resume will attract recruiters and make them feel that you are the candidate who meets the job requirements.
Job title – every job description includes a job title that does not only indicate the type of role the company is looking for, but it also includes the keywords that the recruiter expects to see throughout the CVs of the best candidates. Hence, it is crucial for job seekers to include a targeted role title on the top of their resume in order to pass the screening which, nowadays, is performed through the use of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
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Responsibilities – this section describes what the employee is expected to perform in that particular position. It often consists of 5-10 bullet points depending on the job’s complexity, and are listed in order importance. Additionally, it is often the case that the first three responsibilities are considered the most important for selecting qualified candidates. Hence, as job seeker, ensure that your professional experience meets the job requirements and your CV is accomplishments-oriented, highlighting your achievements throughout your career. Tailor your CV using the keywords listed in the job description to make the recruiter feel confident in your skills and suitability for the role!
Qualifications – the qualifications section informs job seekers about the skills, professional experience and education, certificates or language competencies that the recruiter or hiring managers expect from the candidates. Similar to the responsibilities section, the most important ones will be placed on top. As an applicant, it is important to highlight these in the professional summary at the beginning of your CV. This will make the recruiter look closer at your CV and actually, read the rest of it.
Experience level – some companies may include details about the experience level, too. A job description looking for a Project Manager with 2-3 years of experience (i.e. junior / starter) will have different requirements compared to a mid-to-senior level position. Hence, ensure that your experienced is aligned to the potential role.
About us – multinational organizations often provide a short description at the end of the job description emphasizing their background. Before fine-tuning your CV and cover letter, take some time to research the company and understand their values and corporate culture.
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As an HR Practitioner, my motto is “Less is more!”, encouraging job seekers to pay closely attention to the job description and the words’ underlying meaning.
Customizing your CV depending on the job responsibilities and qualifications can make a great impact in landing your targeted job!
About the author:
Adelina Stefan – Career Coach, Intercultural Facilitator & Executive Consultant
Adelina is a licensed Career Coach and Intercultural Facilitator specialized in the areas of International Human Resource Management and Intercultural Communication. She helps expats professionals achieve clarity in their career goals, enabling them to increase their self- and intercultural awareness and formulate their unique career blueprint. Adelina is a dual citizen of Greece and Romania, and has lived in Zürich, Switzerland for the last five years. Holding a Master Degree in Sociolinguistics and Intercultural Communication, she also specializes in translations and interpreting, being fluent in English, Greek, Romanian and German.
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