Job Description Daze
Job descriptions are not very descriptive at all. As a matter of fact, we should just be honest and call them “this is the job I think I want you to do, but I don’t really know.” If this description about job descriptions feels familiar then it’s confirming the fact that our approach to job descriptions is outdated and simply not an accurate way to help people understand what job they are applying for.
The purpose of a job description is to define the roles and responsibilities expected of a specific job, which helps businesses with hiring and recruitment, but they continue to be a point of confusion for designers looking for jobs. Job descriptions don’t really do a great job of describing what the specified job is about. When reading through job descriptions, there is a wide range of years of experience and skills being asked for. However, instead of focusing on where job descriptions fail let’s start thinking about how to get better information about the job you are applying for.
Instead of asking if you fit the job description, ask yourself what the job has to offer you.
In most cases, the job descriptions may have a little more information about the company, but the information provided seldomly answer any of the questions we may have about what the company has to offer an applicant or the actual work environment. However, there is an opportunity to ask questions about the position during an introductory phone call or email. More and more, the interview process begins with an introduction or screening of a candidate, and this an opportunity for you to ask about the job, expectations, and the company in general. There may be some job description details that you want to clarify with a few questions. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the company culture, the daily work environment, the current challenges you are expected to navigate or solve, and what success looks like to the hiring manager. I like to start with asking about the average day and then follow up with more detailed questions. Keep it conversational and make sure to ask enough questions to help you understand if this is a job you want to continue pursuing and interview for. If the person you are talking to cannot answer your questions then be prepared to submit your questions via email, so you can get the answers you need.
All of this sounds like a lot of effort, but it's better to be upfront and ask questions rather than rely on the job description and discover later that it's not the opportunity you thought it was. Asking more questions means you are more engaged and may help you get the interview over other candidates. Just remember that job descriptions are not descriptive, so ask questions to make sure the job is the right fit for you.
