What should you be looking for in a job description? It might sound simple or like a daft question. I mean, it’s a job description, right? It describes a role and a list of responsibilities the company would like an applicant to do for them in exchange for monetary compensation and a snazzy title. While this is true, there is a lot more to a job description than simply a list of tasks - it’s a window into the company’s culture, expectations, and whether the role aligns with your skills and career goals. There is a lot of info to sift through in these talent ads (or at least there definitely should be, vagueness is a red flag… more on that later) and when you have been searching for a while you might have gone through so many, looking for that unicorn, that perfect fit, that it all just starts to sound like corporate jargon. They might even start to blend into one.
So, what should you be looking for? How do you know that it is worth your time to apply (or even scroll to the bottom of the JD)? And why does reading the fine print and between the lines matter?
Understanding how to read and interpret a JD can save time, improve application success, and help you identify positions where you’ll thrive. It also impacts your career progression, job satisfaction, and success in interviews. Later on in this series we will be giving you the top tips for how to write your CV and your cover letter in accordance with the job description but for right now we are taking it back to basics. This guide breaks down key elements to assess, from role responsibilities and required skills, to company culture and growth opportunities. By the end, you will feel confident knowing what to look for before applying.
So, let’s dive in...
Understanding the Job Title and Role Summary
Sometimes it is ok to judge a book by its cover. Is this the job title you want? While many companies have different nuances in their job titles in terms of seniority and scope (and you should get a more in depth understanding of this when you look through the body of the description) the title needs to be right for you and what you are looking for. Is it the step up or sideways you are looking for in your career journey? Get to grips with what the finer details of what the job title really implies, but don’t be afraid to question if the title isn’t ticking your boxes.Your recruitment consultant should be your first port of call. Get in touch and pick our brains. That’s what we’re here for.
The role summary should give you a bit more insight, so this is a good place to check what the company means by their role title. Do the key phrases in the role summary reveal responsibilities and priorities that align with your goals and skillset? Does the seniority match your expectations?
Examine Core Responsibilities and Required vs Preferred Skills
Most job descriptions provide a coherent list of day-to-day tasks but a useful thing to look out for is a list of strategic objectives that go with these tasks. Look closely at these, if provided. Are they realistic, achievable, actionable? Are they challenging?
This is also a good time to identify what skills you already have and which you may need to develop. This will not only give you a great idea of if you are a good fit for the role or not, but will also give you some good insights into how to prepare for the application process, from adding the requisite skills to your CV to answering skill based questions at the interview stage. This first look will give you the chance to brush up on any rusty or previously unexplored skills and identify any areas where you have relevant, transferable skills that make you a good fit for the role.
Read between the lines. What have you done/ learned/ perfected in previous roles that puts you in a good position to be able to take on the role responsibilities and deliver on key strategic objectives.
Check Qualifications and Experience
Once you have self-assessed your fit based on skill set, now is also the time to differentiate between “essential” and “nice-to-have” qualifications and experience. What is crucial and what is optional? Is it worth applying or do you not qualify based on your career history? This can be a simple process of elimination and it’s important you understand the requirements for years of experience. Remember that skills and experiences are transferrable. Don’t be too quick to write yourself off. You might find that your unique history makes you a great fit even if you don’t fall perfectly into the box. This is a great time to chat to your recruitment consultant who will have valuable insight into exactly what the client is looking for.
Pay Attention to Company Culture and Values
So, you’ve got past the tick box exercise. Now to check out the more nuanced, and arguably more important, parts of the JD. Culture and values. Look for keywords that indicate culture: “fast paced”, “collaborative”, “autonomous”, and make a judgement call. Remember what you are looking for, what is important to you and where your priorities lie in your job hunt. Does the company described align with your personal and professional values? This is also a good time to turn to Mr Google (and the socials) and have a bit of a nose around about the company.
Spot Growth and Progression Opportunities
So you fit the bill, you dig the culture, it’s looking good. But remember, choosing a job is (or should be) a long-term decision. You won’t be the same person in a few years as you are right now. Does this look like a job that will challenge and develop you? Are there any mentions of career development, training, or promotion paths? Checking for these details in the JD is a good first chance to future proof your decision and help you identify roles that will help you grow and keep you on the path you want to be on.
The Deets - Location, Hours, and Logistics
It was all going so well. Boxes checked, future secure, more culture than a European museum… but then you check those dirty details. What flexible working options have they laid out? Take a look at the remote, hybrid, or on-site expectations as well as the logistical details such as travel requirements, locations, overtime and hours. While these are of course important details to consider at this stage, remember that everything is negotiable. Nothing is set in stone and for the right candidate (yes that’s you!) there may well be some flexibility. So, while it is worth noting these details, at this stage nothing should be considered a total deal-breaker, conversations can be had, and it is still worth moving the JD into your maybe pile if everything else is adding up. Your recruitment consultant will know where the hard boundaries are and help you understand where there is flex.
Red Flags and What to Avoid
As ever there are some things that should be avoided like the plague in a job description. The warning signs can appear as early as pre-application and it’s important not to ignore your gut. Some red flags can include vague descriptions of responsibilities, unrealistic expectations and excessive jargon. Make sure that you feel clear on what the job is ,and what it’s asking of you, as this will give you the best chance when applying. Other red flags can include signs of high turnover or unclear reporting structures.While these tend not to be as obvious at this stage a bit of light digging should clear things up.
Next Steps
So, you’ve analysed the JD, and it’s made the cut. What’s next? You might think that you’re done with this part, but actually the job description should form a fundamental part of the next steps of your application process, and we have your back. We will be following up with blogs to cover the following topics:
How to tailor your CV and cover letter to the JD
Questions to ask your recruiting consultant before application
Using the JD to prepare for interview
We hope this has helped give you a bit of an insight into the power of taking your time to review and truly understand a job description and get the most out of the information provided. It is a powerful tool not only in your initial decision-making process but also can provide some great insights to help support your onward application journey. Take the time to read, digest, infer and analyse and save yourself some headaches down the line.
At White Horse Employment we offer a fully consultative recruitment model and are always at the end of a phone if you have any questions or queries about a job description and your suitability. If you've run through the checklist above and still have some questions, drop us a note or give us a buzz and our industry and sector experts can help you to unpick the details as well as give you some great insight into the potential employers motives and requirements. Get in touch.