What that job ad is really asking for

(ARA) - In today's job market, beginning your career can feel overwhelming. Having the right education, experience and motivation is key - but too often, candidates may hurt their chances of getting that first job before they even submit their resume.

Reading and understanding the content of an employment ad is an important, but often overlooked, aspect of the job-seeking process. While job hunting, it's essential to understand the subtleties of the employer's requests in order to stand out among the competition and to know which jobs you may be qualified for. In decoding specific key words, you may find you're eligible for more jobs than you think.

So how can you interpret job ads to determine what an employer is really looking for in a candidate? Career counseling experts at DeVry University routinely advise students on how to read job ads in order to have the best chance of securing the position. Here are some of their top tips to decipher the terminology and how to leverage your specific education and experience in your cover letter, customized resume and - ultimately - an in-person interview.

To apply or not to apply?

"When looking at some of the ads, you might be intimidated by the amount of qualifications listed for the positions," says Florence Herman, director of career services at DeVry University in New Jersey. In reality, most employers hope to find candidates who meet most of the qualifications-- and if you are one of those individuals, you may be brought in for an interview. "Since many companies use software screening tools when reviewing resumes, make sure that you are including the required qualifications on your resume so you don't get screened out of consideration," Herman says.

"Too many times graduates read the job posting and take it literally, when in fact the ad represents the 'ideal' or 'perfect' candidate, the 'Walden's Pond' of job seekers, if you will," says Dave Fogg, associate director of career services at DeVry University in Columbus, Ohio. "All of the experience levels in the ad are not necessarily what the employer must have, but instead a wish list if they could build their own model."

What they say and what they mean

"Entry-level." "Experienced." "Working knowledge." "Proficient." These terms show up in many employment ads, but what do employers really mean when they use them?

* "Entry-level" Entry-level means that the company is looking for someone with minimal experience, and will be paying based on that level of experience. Recent college graduates with no experience would fall into this category, Herman says.

* "Experienced" could mean that the company is looking for candidates who typically have at least three years of experience in the field, or skills that can be utilized in their advertised position. "Undergraduate and graduate degrees can often be substituted for some of the expected experience," Herman says.

Some ads will ask for candidates with a "working knowledge of," "command of" or who are "proficient in" a certain task, software program or skill.

* "Working knowledge" or "familiarity with" usually means that you should be familiar with the qualifications and understand what they are, but don't necessarily need directly related experience, says Herman.

* "Proficient" means you can handle a task or work with software, but may need some finer points clarified.

* "Command of" means you are fully experienced with a task, skill or software type, have used it yourself in past jobs and are able to instruct others in how it works. Some ads will also stipulate that a certain skill or experience is "preferred." "Students tend to interpret that as 'required,' which isn't the case at all," says Rhonda Gaines, dean of career and student services at DeVry University in Dallas. Again, the employer is describing their ideal candidate, but will likely be open to applicants with strong skills and experience. Even if they lack the "preferred" criterion, the applicant should communicate their value to the organization.

Their lips say "No"

"When it comes to job ads and career fairs, believe half of what you see and nothing that you hear," Fogg advises. "If an ad says three to five years experience, that doesn't mean the employer won't take someone with only a college degree and hands-on experience from their education.

"Finally, listening and speaking well are the two most important skills in understanding a job posting and conversing about one in person," Fogg adds. "All the skill sets available won't get you past poor listening and communication skills. If you can't interpret what is being said, then you can't respond properly."

Courtesy of ARAcontent