Even though it may take just a few minutes to read through a job description, recruiters and employers have spent a great deal of time narrowing down the ideal skills they are looking for in potential candidates. Candidates who fulfill the majority of what is asked on a job posting are more likely to get noticed by an employer or recruiter than those who have only a few qualifications.
In a perfect world, when looking at a job description, an employer is looking for a candidate that matches all the requirements listed. However, if you don’t meet all of the requirements listed but can detail similar experience, it’s important to highlight these similar experiences on your resume and/or cover letter.
Employers and recruiters are looking to match your skills to the requirements listed. Take a closer look at the job description by taking a few minutes to analyze what is listed on the job description and outlined in your resume. Analyzing both will determine if the skills listed, and your experience match. For example, if a job description asks for candidates who have completed projects with a $3+ million budget, employers and recruiters will expect details on how you implemented strategies to accomplish those projects. In addition, pay attention to which requirements come first in the job posting, as more often than not, the requirements are listed in an order relevant to what the employer or recruiter is seeking. Job responsibilities are also written in this way. If there are ten responsibilities, the first five may be the most important. Knowing the requirements and responsibilities will help answer basic interview questions and behavioral interview questions if requested to come in for an interview.
While dissecting each piece of the job description, keep in mind that the bottom line is to identify how your experiences would help address the employer’s need. Applying for jobs that are a better match for you can make your job search more productive. In other words, don’t waste time going after jobs you think you are a possible fit for, but target positions where you believe you will be a great fit.
You look at the job title, review the job description and click a button to submit your application. With today’s technology it only takes a matter of minutes to apply for a job online, but how do you know if the job is really a match for you? What steps do you take to make sure you putting yourself in the line of success?
