Samantha Pearce is the owner of Words Worth Reading an online editorial service for Job Seekers, Students, Writers and Businesses. Words Worth Reading offer individually-tailored, comprehensive CV and application form writing and editing services. Sam is also CaribbeanJobs.com’s Resume expert. She reveals how to decode a job advert and find out what the recruiter is really after.
Searching for a job can be a very daunting process and flicking through newspapers or searching through the internet you will find many job adverts filled with jargon, which can leave you confused as to what the employer is actually looking for and what they are offering.
Here are a few pointers to help you understand that all important job ad.
What kind of company are they?
The vacancy advertisement will often be the first time that you become aware of a company. Look out for certain words, which will help you to discover what kind of company they are.
For example, if they use phrases such as ‘young and dynamic’ they will more than likely be a relatively new company and possibly directed by a more youthful team. If on the other hand they refer to terms such as, ‘well established’ then it is likely that they have a more mature ethos and traditional approach.
What skills are they looking for?
Often the more specific skills that the vacancy requires are detailed within the person specification or in an additional job description. However the initial advert will highlight the key abilities that you should possess to be considered for the position.
As you read the advert try to consider whether you have the skill set they are looking for and indeed whether you can provide examples of times when you have used them. If you can immediately match your skills to those in the ad then you can be confident that you have the skills necessary to carry out the job.
Do not however dismiss a job if you cannot obviously tick all of their requirements straight away; some skills can be transferable between industries and roles and even though you may not have the exact experience they are looking for you may have a comparable knowledge or set of skills, which could be considered.
How much will I be paid?
Understanding a salary package is obviously very important for job seekers and again this can sometimes appear a minefield of jargon.
It is never advisable to discuss salaries at a job interview so make sure you are aware of the financial package at the point of applying for the job, this will avoid any confusion or disappointment at a later stage.
Key words used to describe pay are:
OTE (On Target Earnings) This is similar to commission based. Earnings are based on targets set ahead of time. Your salary will then be determined by whether you reach your set targets
Gross Salary This is the total salary you will receive before any deductions such as tax or pension contributions
Pro Rata This refers to the fact that the salary quoted is for a full time employee e.g. 36 hours. If therefore the job is only for 12 hours a week then the salary will be divided up to reflect this and the employee will only receive a third of the full time salary.
Once you have read and understood all of these points you should then be in a good position to make an informed decision about whether the company and the salary is right for you and whether you are right for the job.
Sam is CaribbeanJobs.com‘s Resume expert. If you have a question for her please click here.
Sam’s company, Words Worth Reading, offer individually-tailored, comprehensive CV and application form writing and editing services at fantastic prices, with quick turnaround times.
Visit http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/
Email the team on sam@wordsworthreading.co.uk
Call them on 00 44 1277 824640.
