GHDC: Job Descriptions Don’t Describe Jobs
Get Hired During COVID Misconception 3: The Job Description Actually Describes the Job
This misconception one is one of my favorites in the Get Hired During COVID course. While I have written nearly every job description for every position I’ve hired, most every other hiring manager I know has copy-pasted job descriptions from competing companies or from other similar job listings.
That’s right: The job description you’re reading is probably only 50-75% representative of the actual job you’ll be doing. Maybe the hiring manager spent some time tweaking the copypasta so it’s more reflective of the real work, but chances are (especially at larger companies) the description is just a generic representation of the real job.
This is an opportunity to ask real questions about the job during the interview, should you get that far.
Allen Plunkett pointed out in Misconception 1 that you need to consider the fact that the writer of the job description likely doesn’t even know what is in it to begin with. So your excitement may not land nearly as well as you are hoping it might.
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Ellis has something to say:
Sometimes the job description describes what the company needs, but it may not actually be what they need. For example: “We need someone to manage the editorial calendar.” They may not even have an editorial calendar, so they need you to figure out how to create it and fill it with content. Creating and filling an editorial calendar is way different than just managing one.
Also, use your experience to infer what’s not in the description but will still likely be part of the job. For example: “Manage the editorial calendar and publish blog posts.” What comes after publishing blog posts? Promoting them! Include those inferences in your cover letter and highlight both in your resume.
Have you ever taken a job and realized it wasn't necessarily what you signed up for? Purchase our course “Get Hired During COVID.” If you're unemployed, take advantage of our pay-what-you-can model on our website, or send us an email at hello@edifycontent.com.
