The most discouraging thing when looking and applying for jobs can be the information, or lack thereof, in the job description. What’s even more discouraging is not knowing what you’re looking at or what it means. 

 

In this blog, we break down the parts of a job description that you should pay close attention to when searching and applying: 

 

Job Title/Position

• • The job title gives you an idea of your job duties. Pay attention to descriptive job titles like “entry-level,” “junior,” “senior,” etc. This will give you an idea of the skill level for the role. 

System Frameworks/Languages

• • Different roles call for a different set of knowledge and tools. Knowing what level of tech you are expected to understand in the position is important. It may be helpful for you to take inventory of your current knowledge and skill set and use the job descriptions to build on it, especially if you are new. Some common languages used in the tech industry are Python, JavaScript, and C#, but those are only a select few, so pay attention and research. 

Job description/duties

• • What exactly will you be doing? Carefully read the job description for vague and specific descriptions. The more general the duties, the better. But if there are more specific tasks, ensure you’re aware and equipped to do them. 

Company description

• • The company description can be the most underrated part of a job posting. Pay close attention to their values and how they describe what they do. You may not be 100% aligned with everything the company values, and that’s ok, make sure there’s nothing you’re absolutely against that you’ll be forced to deal with later. 

Qualifications/Requirements

• • Pay attention to the qualifications and requirements section of a job posting. It’s important to know what is required of a candidate before applying to ensure that’s something you have. There’s nothing wrong with not being qualified for a certain role, which shouldn’t necessarily stop you from applying. Just ensure you understand what they are looking for you to fit the role. 

Technical/Soft Skills

• • Skills are important no matter the industry or position you work in. However, there’s a big difference between hard and soft skills and the requirements for such. You can get soft skills from working anywhere, like communication, teamwork, and time management. But, those technical skills may require more effort and experience, so take inventory! 

Salary/Pay/Benefits 

• • This probably should have been higher up in the list, but it’s also the most obvious. Make sure the salary or pay is worth your value. If a company isn’t transparent about the salary, that’s a red flag. Use your own intuition to decide if it’s worth applying to and eventually find out what they’re paying. And don’t be afraid to ask!  

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out a job description, but you need to know what you are looking for. Be sure that what the employer is asking of potential employees are things that are willing to do or learn. Also, review your resume and cover letter to ensure it fits the job you’re applying for and show your alignment with the position.