Whether browsing through job ads for sales executives, elementary school teachers or professional bard tasters, most jobs seem to use strikingly similar language when advertising the qualities they need in a candidate.
This guide will lead through some of the common terms and phrases used in job ads and help you see behind the language to tell you what they're REALLY saying.
An Enlightening 'Experience'
Almost every job ad out there lists the years of experience an ideal applicant should have.
Entry-level job ads generally ask for at least two years of experience, while senior-level job ads could require at least 10 years of experience.
And, job ads often specify exactly what kind of experience is desired (e.g., "at least four years of editing experience").
The big question is: What counts as "experience"?
When pasting together your employment history in response to a job ad, remember to consider less traditional work experience, too.
Internships, volunteer work, part-time jobs, leadership roles in clubs and organizations -- these are all legitimate sources of experience.
If you have less experience than the job ad requests, it doesn't necessarily mean you're out of the running. If you can make a persuasive argument in your cover letter that you gained the necessary skills in a shorter amount of time, you may still have a shot at getting the interview.
Calculating Your 'Minimum Salary Requirement'
Discussing a potential salary is one of the most intimidating parts of landing a job.
So when a job ad requests that you submit your minimum salary requirement with your resume, it raises lots of questions. Should you list the salary you made at your last job? Do you put the absolute minimum you need to live? Or do you put a bit more than your real minimum, just in case they try to go lower?
When facing a job ad asking for a minimum salary requirement, many avoid these questions by listing their salary requirement as "flexible" or "negotiable."
While this is better than not saying anything, many recruiters still want a specific figure so they know they're not wasting their time with candidates can't afford.
If asked for a specific figure, you can list a salary range (e.g., $30,000 - $35,000).
What Are 'Communication and Organizational Skills'?
This is basically code for "Do you meet deadlines, work well with others and get stuff done?"
Job candidates with a track record of working well with others and juggling several projects successfully are generally good bets to be reliable contributors in the workplace.
So when responding to a job ad that asks for strong communication and organizational skills, be sure to emphasize in your resume instances of how you participated on teams, produced reliable work under deadline and were trusted with multiple responsibilities.
Getting a Command of 'Command'
When a hiring manager looks to fill a position, they often want more than just a personality -- they also want someone with a full arsenal of tools.
So, many job ads request that applicants already have familiarity with certain important tools, skills or languages that are relevant to the job.
The language varies, but if the ad requests a "command of," "proficiency in" or "working knowledge of" a particular skill, then it's asking you to be comfortable using that skill in the workplace.
Depending on the industry, some job ads also request a command of industry-specific tools. Jobs in the publishing industry, for example, might ask for familiarity with Quark, a software program often used in publishing. Jobs in Information Technology may ask applicants to have certain tech certifications.
To figure out if you have a "command of" a particular skill, consider:
If the skill offers an official certification, are you certified? If so, list it on your resume. If not, you may want to rethink applying.
If the skill does not offer a certification, would you feel comfortable using the skill on a daily basis? Could someone ask you to perform a relatively simple task using that skill?
When you're not sure what to say, just be honest. If you speak conversational Spanish, then put "Conversational Spanish" on your resume, not "Fluent Spanish."
Finally, if you notice that certain skills that you don't have keep on popping up in job ads, it may be time to take a training course.
