Why is this career coach reading job adverts?

Reading job adverts was once part of my recruitment training. To review how they were presented, what they were looking for, and to understand the needs of the client. As my experience grew, after being exposed to hundreds upon hundreds of advertisements, I was able to turn a couple of lines or a quick conversation into prose that would attract the ideal candidate. As my experience grew, and I moved in the role of a hiring manager, I would sit on the “other side” of the table, shaping person specifications and job descriptions to attract the right person to join our team. It’s been six years since I’ve needed to hire anyone, and I haven’t recently had the inclination to apply for to job, yet I’m still reading job adverts. You may think it’s strange that a self-employed careers coach is scanning the “to hire” pages. You may have always assumed that it was part and parcel of what a career coach does. Today I’m going to not only tell you why this career coach is reading job adverts, but I’m also going to give you one of the biggest tips that will help you find your next role!

So, first things first. Why do I spend time looking at job adverts, when I’m not job searching.

 Very simply, it’s one of the ways I keep up to date with what’s happening in the job market. When I am working with a job searching client, the best way to help them is to step into their shoes. Not only to understand what is needed within the types of roles they are looking for, but to read around the sector to understand where their skills and knowledge could be transferred. Most people are quite single-minded (or lost) when it comes to the next step in their career, following a path that only takes them in a narrow direction. One of the key traits I used in my recruitment days, and still do now, is seeing links where many others can’t. And this starts with seeing what the market thinks it needs! 

I don’t claim to know about every sector; however, my experience and interest lean towards the third sector, not-for-profit, creative industries and professional services. However, my recent clients come from a range of sectors: engineering, sales, HR, graphic design, law and office management. By spending this time reading around the roles within these industries, I not only notice the skills that are needed, and how employers ask for them but understand the type of roles that exist and career paths organisations have.

 My genuine interest in the ins and out of career paths means that when I’m helping you with your next career step, I’m always wearing my recruiter’s hat whilst I coach you. I pay attention to the roles advertised on the social media platforms that I hang around in, and inevitably conversations around careers come up when I’m in a social setting (yet, I’m THAT person). I can’t help it! It’s something that I find fascinating.

Now that I’ve explained why I read job adverts, I want to share with you a little trick. Knowing this is the difference between making a solid application to a role and walking away before you give it the chance. And it’s this.

READ THE FULL JOB ADVERT AND PERSON SPECIFICATION 

I know, it sounds like I am being obtuse, but let’s get down to business. The person specification is there to show you the person they (think they) want, but there are subtleties in the language that is used to demonstrate how that person can match their requirements. Pay attention to words like:

• Understanding
• Awareness
• Interest
• Exposure 

These have a very different meaning to ”essential experience”.

The first set gives you more flexibility to talk about your transferable skills, your potential in the role and how you could apply your knowledge and skills within this opportunity. The second phrase tends to be what people think every person specification asks for. Of course, a good Career Coach (hello) often has the experience to help you appreciate ALL of your experience, which you are probably underplaying. 

So, there you have it, a quick overview of why this career coach is reading job adverts. Whilst the world of work is ever-evolving, with markets changing, sectors expanding and services developing, I don’t envisage a day I will ever stop. And for the person that recently asked me, does it mean I’m job hunting. My answer to that is “Never say Never”. 

 

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