Cracked Job Codes

"I can do that job, but I don't have…" If you'veRequired, often only want to entertain prospective
read the classifieds and surfed the web for on-line jobemployees that have what they are looking for. The
sites and said this to yourself, you've felt the sameterm 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 jobnot necessarily essential to have.
qualifications? There is, but you must be sure youEmployers know that the chances of getting the
understand your experiences and that they areperfect person that has all the Required skills they are
actually what the employer is looking for. This isn'tlooking for is not very realistic. It happens, but not often.
always easy, because job listings have a language ofBecause 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 andbalance it with the best experience they can find. If
meanings. It's almost as difficult to understand whatyou have enough proven skills to get you in the door,
they are really looking for as it is equally difficult to getand 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 toWorking knowledge and Expertise in a particular
differentiate, but not always. Most people thinkprogram is not the same. Having working knowledge
entry-level would mean someone that has either nosays you have at least the basics and you are
experience or at least experience that stretch from sixconfident in operating the program.
months to 1 year. However, entry-level could also referExpertise says you have exceptional experience, are
to someone fresh out of college, or at least 1 year orable 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" butand knowing how to interpret their terms and language
having a graduate degree which sometimes counts forincreases your chances for success and getting the
experience.job. It will increase your chances for success in getting
Skills Preferred and Required Skills definitely havethe job because you will learn to spend your time
differences, but can be easily be thought of as theeffectively in applying for the jobs you are more likely
same. The word Required is absolute; it says this is ato obtain.
skill you must have. Employers that use the term