Before you rush out the door for a job interview, you should do a mental check—resumes? Check. Portfolio? Check. Great pen? Check. And so on. But, before you even think about showing up for an interview, how about putting together a checklist with talking points about the job based on the job description?
Job descriptions are written for a reason. They spell out the job requirements as clearly as possible to weed out those who are not qualified to even apply. They list technical certifications or academic degrees. Many online application systems are a second line of defense against those applicants who ignore the requirements and apply anyway. They will lead you through a series of questions before you can fill out the online application to make sure you meet the minimum requirements.
You can use a qualifications section of a job description as a checklist. Some are specific, others are vague. Here are the qualifications for a position for a Broadcasting job as an intern for a sports media company listed on www.communicatonsjobs.net:
1. Enrolled in a Bachelor Degree Program at junior or senior level. Easy. Check.
2. Proficient with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook. The word “proficient” is open to interpretation. If you feel you can hold your own, keep going. Check.
3. Passion for sport and the Ideals of the Committee’s Movement. What???? Haven’t the foggiest what that is. May not want to continue! Well, let’s keep going.
4. Sport experience preferred (i.e., active in competitive/intramural sports). What does “active” mean? Keeping score on the sidelines or getting my body knocked around every week on the field? The word “preferred” doesn’t make it mandatory, so—Check.
5. Excellent communication and human relations skills. I’ve got 425 friends on Facebook. Check.
6. Demonstrated ability to work in fast-paced multidisciplinary team environment. Whew! It’s hard enough to just read that. “Demonstrated” means you should be able to give a specific example of how you worked in a fast-paced, multi..etc. You should have one before the interview. Check.
7. Willingness to participate in the full Intern Program. Of course. That’s why I’m applying. Check.
8. Major in Electronic Media or Broadcast or Video/Film Production. Oops! Why did they put that one last? I guess my major in Ancient History and minor in Egyptian Artifacts won’t cut it. No deal.
While there is some leeway, and you don’t have to be dead on for each one, the requirements will help you decide whether your time is well spent pursuing a job opportunity or not. You will save yourself and the hiring manager who has to read your resume and cover letter, a lot of time.
Mary Nestor-Harper, SPHR, is a consultant, blogger, motivational speaker and freelance writer for communicationsjobs.net. Based in Savannah, GA, her work has appeared in Training magazine, Training & Development magazine, Supervision, BiS Magazine and The Savannah Morning News. When she’s not writing, she enjoys singing Alto II with the Savannah Philharmonic Chorus and helping clients discover what they love and spend their life on it. You can read more of her blogs at communicationsjobsblog.com and view additional job postings on Nexxt.
Job descriptions are written for a reason. They spell out the job requirements as clearly as possible to weed out those who are not qualified to even apply. They list technical certifications or academic degrees. Many online application systems are a second line of defense against those applicants who ignore the requirements and apply anyway. They will lead you through a series of questions before you can fill out the online application to make sure you meet the minimum requirements.
You can use a qualifications section of a job description as a checklist. Some are specific, others are vague. Here are the qualifications for a position for a Broadcasting job as an intern for a sports media company listed on www.communicatonsjobs.net:
1. Enrolled in a Bachelor Degree Program at junior or senior level. Easy. Check.
2. Proficient with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook. The word “proficient” is open to interpretation. If you feel you can hold your own, keep going. Check.
3. Passion for sport and the Ideals of the Committee’s Movement. What???? Haven’t the foggiest what that is. May not want to continue! Well, let’s keep going.
4. Sport experience preferred (i.e., active in competitive/intramural sports). What does “active” mean? Keeping score on the sidelines or getting my body knocked around every week on the field? The word “preferred” doesn’t make it mandatory, so—Check.
5. Excellent communication and human relations skills. I’ve got 425 friends on Facebook. Check.
6. Demonstrated ability to work in fast-paced multidisciplinary team environment. Whew! It’s hard enough to just read that. “Demonstrated” means you should be able to give a specific example of how you worked in a fast-paced, multi..etc. You should have one before the interview. Check.
7. Willingness to participate in the full Intern Program. Of course. That’s why I’m applying. Check.
8. Major in Electronic Media or Broadcast or Video/Film Production. Oops! Why did they put that one last? I guess my major in Ancient History and minor in Egyptian Artifacts won’t cut it. No deal.
While there is some leeway, and you don’t have to be dead on for each one, the requirements will help you decide whether your time is well spent pursuing a job opportunity or not. You will save yourself and the hiring manager who has to read your resume and cover letter, a lot of time.
Mary Nestor-Harper, SPHR, is a consultant, blogger, motivational speaker and freelance writer for communicationsjobs.net. Based in Savannah, GA, her work has appeared in Training magazine, Training & Development magazine, Supervision, BiS Magazine and The Savannah Morning News. When she’s not writing, she enjoys singing Alto II with the Savannah Philharmonic Chorus and helping clients discover what they love and spend their life on it. You can read more of her blogs at communicationsjobsblog.com and view additional job postings on Nexxt.
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