How to Analyze a Job Description Prior to Applying

Job hunting is often hindered, rather than helped, by the rise of the Internet. It's possible to send out dozens of resumes to every job description you encounter. However, it is more sensible to analyze the job description before you apply.

The first stage of analyzing a job description is to look at the actual job. Is it something you want to do, or does it mention duties that you hate doing or are not even qualified for? If the position is for an in-house auditor but mentions that you may need to travel extensively to other countries and you hate flying, that job may not be for you. It's important to your own well being that you choose a job you can do and that makes you happy.

Look at the qualifications listed in the job description. If you lack a key qualification that is required for the job, or you do not have any of the desired qualifications, think again before applying. Multiple candidates who apply for the position are likely to have at least one of the desired qualifications. You need to personalize your job applications. Spending time applying for a job that you're not suitable for wastes your time and the recruiter's time. Recruiters who see the same email address on every incoming application are likely to delete the email on sight if it crops up for too many jobs.

Put yourself in the recruiter's shoes: would you hire you for that job? Brutally honesty helps here, as it enables you to focus on spending your time trying to get the job you want. If you don't meet key criteria in the job description, the recruiter isn't likely to hire you.

Watch out for questions within the job description as well. A canny recruiter looks for a sign that the candidates have thoroughly read the job description, so requesting something specific to be included is a good way to determine this. Fewer than 10 percent of applicants answer these questions, so make sure you're one of the 10 percent who is solidly familiar with what the company is seeking from its applicants.

Use the requested method to apply for the job. If the company has a job application system that is not email-based, recruiters are likely to ignore you if you send a job in by post or by email. If you have a variety of options, feel free to choose.

Analyzing a job description involves looking at the criteria carefully to work out whether the job is right for you. If you pick and choose which jobs to apply to and eliminate the opportunities that you're really not qualified for, your reply rate should rocket.

Photo courtesy of Kate Hiscock at Flickr.com