A job description is more than just a list of duties. Read it carefully and it will tell you a great deal about the role, the employer, and whether you’re the right fit.
What a job description really tells you
Most job descriptions are split into two sections: what the role involves (the duties and responsibilities) and what the employer is looking for (the person specification). Both deserve your full attention before you decide whether to apply.
Read between the lines as well as the lines themselves. The language used, the skills prioritised, and the overall tone of the document can give you useful clues about the company culture and management style.
Breaking down the person specification
Person specifications typically distinguish between essential and desirable criteria. Here’s how to approach each:
Essential criteria
These are non-negotiable requirements. If you don’t meet them, an application is unlikely to progress. Be honest with yourself here – if a role requires three years of accountancy experience and you have six months, it’s probably not the right fit at this stage.
Desirable criteria
Think of these as bonus points. Employers include them because they’d be helpful, not because they’re deal-breakers. If you meet most of the essential criteria but fall short on some desirable ones, don’t let it put you off applying.
Tailoring your application to the job description
This is where many candidates fall short. A generic CV sent to ten different employers will rarely outperform a carefully tailored application for one specific role. Use the language of the job description in your CV and covering letter – if the employer mentions ‘customer relationship management’, use those words if they reflect your experience, rather than a vague equivalent.
Go through the person specification methodically and ask yourself: where does my experience match this? Then make sure those matches are clearly evident in your application.
Spotting a poorly written job description
Not all job descriptions are well written. If a description seems vague, contradictory or is simply a long list of bullet points without much context, it’s worth asking your recruitment consultant for more information before investing significant time in the application. Understanding the role properly saves everyone time.
| 💡 Quick tip
If you can, some people find that printing the job description and highlighting every requirement you meet, can really help (obviously you can do this digitally too). Then check your CV or covering letter addresses each highlighted point. If there are gaps, either address them directly or reconsider whether to apply. |
