what-job-ads-really-mean jobs features Virgin Media
Open the jobs pages of any newspaper or browse any jobs web site and you'll come across some strange phrases.
How about: "Essential for this position are high level leadership skills and a demonstrated capacity to perform effectively in the face of conflicting demands"? Or "Your role will be to lead the strategic development of new engagement services, advocating the use of participatory approaches"?
But what does all this recruitment-speak really mean? Here's a somewhat tongue-in-cheek guide.
Usually means the same as "fast-paced" or "challenging." Be prepared to put in long hours and juggle many different tasks, usually working to tight deadlines.
People around you will expect you to be flexible and able to swiftly carry out orders, as well as being able to come up with ideas yourself. You may end up feeling like a headless chicken but this could be the type of environment you relish.
Probably the most over-used word in job ads.
They want someone who asks intelligent questions at the interview and can generate some good ideas on the job, not someone who sits around waiting for things to happen.
If you fit these requirements, you might want to check that the company is dynamic too; There's nothing worse than feeling your talents remain unused because the company culture is too conservative.
Stelios' easyGroup doesn't describe itself as a fast-growing company because it doesn't need to. May be a sign of an organisational inferiority complex.
Work 55 hours; get paid for 37.5. Flexibility goes just the one way...
Many companies describe themselves as leading in their particular sector. They could be, of course, but it could also be a classic case of job ad hyperbole. It all depends on how you define it.
Make sure you do your research on the company. Don't just go to their Web site, get information from independent sources.
You could be walking into a company in complete chaos.
This could easily be translated as "We're not going to supply you with leads, there's no base salary and you have to wait 30 days for your first commission payment."
Can you see what needs to be done, and take action without constant guidance and orders? Basically, the employer wants to be able chuck a project in your lap and trust you to deal with it. Are you happy to be thrown in at the deep end?
Very ambiguous, this one, but it doesn't mean you need to be able to walk on stilts as well as cook a wonderful soufflé. It could be you'll need the skills to replace the three people who just left.
The X-factor will ensure that you stand out head and shoulders from the rest of the company employees. Make sure you have the X-factor: it's available in all good shops now for £9.99.
The trick to decoding job ads is to see through the clichés and jargon and determine what the company actually wants from you.
If anything is still unclear, you can email or phone their HR department and ask them to clarify, or ask during the interview. With a little luck they might even know what it means.
