Job Interview Tips - Understanding Job Advertisements

Before deciding on how to write a resume, you needoffered is not quoted. Statements such as "attractive
to fully appreciate the details of the job being offered.salary package" or "salary commensurate with age
Understanding the job advertisement is the key toand experience" are employed. The rule here is that if
designing an effective Curriculum Vitae or job resume.a salary is very attractive it will be quoted. Look at
Your CV needs to be formulated with that specific jobwhat is said about the salary. The word "circa" may
in mind and it is of fundamental importance that youmean around but quite often read by potential
are able to interpret and analyze the advertisementapplicants as a minimum.
and make correct deductions. If you do not, then yourMany advertisements, particularly for posts in the public
CV will miss the point and you may not progress tosector, give salary ranges. This shows interested
the next stage.applicants what their potential would be as well as the
How the job is describedstarting salary. Most organizations will negotiate the
All job advertisements will tell the reader the name,starting salary after they have made a decision to
location and business of the company. These will beemploy someone.
put across in a positive way. Next will come theCompany description and philosophy
description. Take time to think about how the job isLook at what the company has to say for itself. This
described. This will enable you to get a real idea ofusually tells you how it wants to perceive itself rather
what the company is after. Look to see whether youthan how others see it. The company may state that it
will be working alone or in a team. This is veryis expanding, or might give that impression by
important, particularly when emphasizing skills andadvertising for a number of positions. You might get an
experience on your CV or resume.idea of the possible promotion prospects from the
The company will describe what they do, what theyadvertisement. Be wary if there is a lack of company
require, then go on to outline qualifications anddescription. This does not always mean that there is a
experience required. Obviously this is one of the mostproblem, the company may be huge and well known,
important areas of the advertisement and should betherefore an in depth description is not necessary.
read with care and clearly understood. In some cases,However, there may well be a nip side and the
qualifications and experience required will be clearlycompany may have something to hide, such as
stated. However, in other cases they won't and it willconcealing recruitment information from other staff.
be up to you to infer these from the advert, based onOn company philosophy, look for equal opportunities
your knowledge of the job.statements etc. These vary enormously, with the
Salarypublic sector generally leading the way. You need to
Although the salary attached to a job can beconsider how important the existence of an equal
misleading, in many cases the actual salary to beopportunities statement is for you.