That Infamous Job Description May Not Really Describe the Job

There are times when you ask yourself, “Do I apply for this job posting even through I don’t have all he qualifications?” You decide to apply and then at the interview you’re not sure how to get past that shortfall that just has to come up.

Other times, you’ve experience the total opposite. You’re drawn to an ad that is all about you. You’re sure this position was created with you in mind it matches you so perfectly. But, once you hit the interview scene you learn there is little reality between the position description and the job.

Let me tell you about job descriptions. In most companies, these documents sit in a drawer in human resources for years. They are written with the perfect candidate in mind. One day a department manager calls and puts in a requisition for a new hire. The HR person pulls the description and starts going over
resumes that respond to the posting. Just in case you’re still thinking about evaluating an opportunity based only on what your read on a job posting, position description or their website — allow me to share some insights.

Here’s some typical “Employer Speak” translated for you:

• Entry level position: You’ll be making minimum wage.
• Join our fast-paced company: We have no time to train you; you’ll have to
  introduce yourself to your co-workers.
• Nationally recognized leader: Inc. Magazine wrote us up a few years ago, but
  we haven’t done anything innovative since.
• Immediate opening: The person who previously held this job gave notice a
  month ago. We’re just now running the ad.
• Casual work atmosphere: We don’t pay enough to expect that you’ll dress up,
  although a couple of the really daring guys wear earrings.
• Must be deadline oriented: You’ll be six months behind schedule on your first
  day.
• Some overtime required: Some time each night and some time each
  weekend.

You may be laughing as you read this, but I’m betting it’s because you’ve had a similar experience between the written message and reality. This is one of those “fool me once, shame on you — fool me twice, shame on me” situations.

Next time you’ll be prepared. Here’s a few rules to keep in mind:

Rule number one; the responsibilities maybe accurate, or they may have
changed, but the true measure of the position is the focus – what do they need
the person in this role to provide or deliver in the short term. This information is
rarely provided.

Rule number two; the company will advertise for the perfect candidate, but they
seldom get it all. Their thought process is put the optimum wish list out there and
get as close as they can.

Rule number three; the position description doesn’t tell you what it’s like to work
for the person you’ll be reporting to and it may or may not tell you what the true
culture of the organization is like.

I normally suggest responding to a posting if you have at least 50% of the qualifications – IF they are in reason. What I mean is if specific certification or licensing is absolutely required and you don’t have it, your other skills and abilities won’t compensate. However, perhaps an ad asks for 8 years of experience and you only have five, or maybe they prefer someone who is bilingual and you’re not. Companies ask for certain qualifications because they assume that’s what it will take to accomplish what they need. That’s not always
the case.

In an interview, your job is to “sell your strengths” and show a company how you can be a solution provider for their needs. Therefore, focus on what you can do, not what you can’t. If it’s truly a priority to the hiring company, they’ll ask you about it. Be honest in your answers but probe to see if there are any ways to
work around the deficiency.

Ok, let’s discuss rule three. Have you ever been to an interview and the person interviewing you was totally irritating – unorganized, borderline rude or seemingly incompetent? Did you factor that in when you considered the job? Here’s the deal – at an interview, what you see is what you get. If the person interviewing you makes you crazy and that person would be your boss, you might want to
withdraw from consideration.

When you showed up for the interview, did you pay attention to what was going on around you? Was the reception room clean and were you greeted when you walked in? How were people dressed? Did employees look happy? Stressed? Relaxed? Were there a lot of closed doors or open approachable spaces? Was
the furniture quality or held together by duct tape? Did they have voice mail and up-to-date technology or were they in a time warp?

This is all part of the interview process. Everything won’t be a verbal message and you have to take some responsibility for finding the right job in the right environment with the right people. The signs will be all around you but you have to be open to them.

Maybe you can share other interviewing prep tips that might be helpful to other?