| "I can do that job, but I don't have…" If you've | | | | Required, often only want to entertain prospective |
| read the classifieds and surfed the web for on-line job | | | | employees that have what they are looking for. The |
| sites and said this to yourself, you've felt the same | | | | term Preferred tells prospective employees what the |
| level of discouragement most job-hunters have felt. | | | | employer would rather have, but Preferred skills are |
| Is there any flexibility when it comes to meeting job | | | | not necessarily essential to have. |
| qualifications? There is, but you must be sure you | | | | Employers know that the chances of getting the |
| understand your experiences and that they are | | | | perfect person that has all the Required skills they are |
| actually what the employer is looking for. This isn't | | | | looking for is not very realistic. It happens, but not often. |
| always easy, because job listings have a language of | | | | Because it has become a challenge to find the ideal |
| their own. | | | | candidate, employers often lower their standards and |
| Employers have their own sets of terms and | | | | balance it with the best experience they can find. If |
| meanings. It's almost as difficult to understand what | | | | you have enough proven skills to get you in the door, |
| they are really looking for as it is equally difficult to get | | | | and the employer feels you are capable of being |
| the job itself. | | | | trained for the rest, your chances increase. |
| Entry-level and Experienced seem pretty simple to | | | | Working knowledge and Expertise in a particular |
| differentiate, but not always. Most people think | | | | program is not the same. Having working knowledge |
| entry-level would mean someone that has either no | | | | says you have at least the basics and you are |
| experience or at least experience that stretch from six | | | | confident in operating the program. |
| months to 1 year. However, entry-level could also refer | | | | Expertise says you have exceptional experience, are |
| to someone fresh out of college, or at least 1 year or | | | | able to explain how it works and are able to use it for |
| so. | | | | advanced projects. |
| Experienced could mean having worked 1 year, | | | | Understanding the concept of what employers look for |
| minimum 3-5 years or no "working experience" but | | | | and knowing how to interpret their terms and language |
| having a graduate degree which sometimes counts for | | | | increases your chances for success and getting the |
| experience. | | | | job. It will increase your chances for success in getting |
| Skills Preferred and Required Skills definitely have | | | | the job because you will learn to spend your time |
| differences, but can be easily be thought of as the | | | | effectively in applying for the jobs you are more likely |
| same. The word Required is absolute; it says this is a | | | | to obtain. |
| skill you must have. Employers that use the term | | | | |