Sample Job Descriptions - Help Understanding Job Advertisements - Help Understanding Job Descriptions

Winning CV gives an alternative look at job descriptions and their hidden meanings.
This can reveal much more about the employer, the role and company culture.

Employers use various tactics to make jobs sound more interesting. Candidates understand 'real' job description because employers can be extremely vague about what they are looking for.

Please remember, this is only a 'light-hearted' look at 'hidden' job descriptions and how employers can sometimes overstate a role to make it more appealling or to hide less desirable aspects of the role.

Winning CV recommends carefully reading job descriptions, understanding them fully and clarifying finer details when discussing roles at interview. Candidates must be clear about job descriptions because it will affect career (job) choices and future aspirations.

Suitably qualified

The employer is being suitably vague - they are more than likely just waiting to see who
applies and what they can get from the applications received.

A competitive salary

The employer is clearly not offering the best salary prospects (less than colleagues!).

Day-to-day management

Implies little time for long-term planning or strategic thinking in the role.
Could the role be limited in the long-term?

Dealing with all levels of the company

Implies being directly in the firing line and from all angles!

Temporary role / short-term contract

The role could be experimental or the candidate may not survive the year!

Government legislation / new directive

The company is obliged by law to recruit someone for such a position.

An innovative approach required

The company must be desperate for ideas - stagnating?

Business experience required

Implies the need to understand and deal with 'office politics'.

No experience necessary

Could mean an office junior role or something with no real prospects.

Challenging role

Be prepared to work long hours with little additional reward.

Opportunities to learn & develop

Candidates must find out about the role when doing it and make the most of it!

Key position within the company

The candidate will need a strong backbone - be expected to deal with all the problems.

A new role

The company is unsure of how the role will turn out.
(at least someone will attempt to make the most of it).

Working for a large organisation

The company is so large - people may not be noticed.

Communication skills

This can mean anything from answering the telephone to doing formal presentations.

Ability to work under pressure

There is lots to do and be prepared to working long hours.

Numerate

Please remember to bring your calculator with you!

Organisational skills

Depending on the role, candidates could be organising everything, including the tea rota!

Self-motivated or self-managed

Expect minimal managerial support.

Career-minded

Must be willing to do anything to further a career.

Enthusiastic approach

This could mean that no matter how hard people try, they will never get very far!