Job Descriptions: 6 Things To Watch Out For
Marie Raperto, The Hiring Hub
Job descriptions can give you great information. They can also point out ‘red flags’ about a job. You should have a clear sense of the job responsibilities, the qualifications needed and the experience necessary. If you are given a job description, take the time to delve into it and look for these points:
- Conflicting Information. It could just be a badly written description or it can be covering up issues the company is facing. Are they looking for a person to do one job or multiple ones?
- Titles. Sometimes you will see double titles. If a position has dual responsibilities, make sure they are compatible with your background.
- Environment. Watch out for too many buzzwords like ‘competitive,’ ‘high pressure,’ and ‘above industry commissions.’ If you want this type of environment, great. If you are looking for work-life balance in a new position, this may not be the right one for you.
- Vagueness. You should get a good idea of what the role involves and how your background would fit. There may be times when an employer will not have a description but will craft one to fit your experience/their needs. Just make sure you see it before you accept an offer.
- Career Path. While a job description will not necessarily show you the next steps for you career, watch the reporting structure and team exposure. Make sure to ask about promotion possibilities during your interview.
- Catch Phrases. Avoid positions that have a wide-range of earning potential possibilities, or that suggest you work for free. Scams are plentiful in the recruitment world.
Read, re-read and question your way!