Whenever it is time to look out for job opportunities, as a job seeker, you visit different job boards in a bid to find a job that best suits your skills. Sometimes, you don't even have to visit job boards, you can just come across them on other platforms such as social media or just see them in your email. One of the elements that convinces you to apply for a job is the "Job Description" of the Job listing. However, beyond just reading the job description, there's a lot more to look out for to confirm the validity of the job description. 

What are Job Descriptions?

Job descriptions are simple, concise, and readable paragraphs or bullet points that explain what a potential employee would be doing at a job, the skills required to qualify as a job candidate, and the salary range attached to the job opening. Organizations, companies, and brands looking for rich talents ensure that a job description is added as part of a job listing for candidates checking through to have an idea of what their day-to-day activities will look like. Most skilled candidates have a different picture of what a typical workday should look like for them; while job descriptions don't exactly say that, they give you a sneak peek into what to expect. Therefore, it is easy to say that a job is not correctly listed if there is no job description.  Job descriptions are not just helpful pre-employment; after a candidate has been selected for a job, job descriptions set performance expectations which can lead to job satisfaction and productivity at work.  

What does a Job Description look like? 

A job description is always clear and informative. It communicates to the candidate what an employer needs. This includes the skills, qualifications, and experience required for the job. The most important thing is for both parties - the employer and the candidate to understand the role the same way. 

This is a job posting as seen on hubforjobs, specifically for the position of a personal assistant. Also, it features the job description of the personal assistant as needed by the organization which includes supporting the managing director, drafting communications on the managing director's behalf, planning and organizing meetings, and many more. This is not to say that a personal assistant is not aware of what their obligations are but "Clarity" and agreement are important which is why the job description is always drawn up. However, there is a downside. Not all job descriptions are valid. We are sure you are wondering what this means. Read on. 

Job Descriptions can be problematic? 

As awkward as this may sound, job descriptions can really be problematic. There are several ways this can happen; you may come across these types of job descriptions every time but they may not occur to you as being problematic. A typical example is when a job description is too rigid and fails to adapt to evolving roles and responsibilities within a company, therefore restricting creativity and innovations. It may even make employees feel too restrained and uncomfortable. 

The image above shows a part of a job description that comes off as disturbing.  "A personality that thrives with a somewhat schizophrenic culture - sometimes a super low-key start-up, sometimes a surprisingly formal and buttoned up affair." While this is already a complex requirement in a job posting, it doesn't appear right. The term "schizophrenia" is a clinical mental health term, and using it to describe a workplace culture can be insensitive and stigmatizing. Also, it creates a negative perception of the workplace. 

Job descriptions should only convey clear and professional information about the company's cultures, values, and expectations. Hence, only appropriate languages should be used. The situation explained earlier and many more are reasons to prove that job descriptions can be problematic. How do you identify problematic job descriptions? 

Look out for these "no" signs in job descriptions

If it's job search time at your end, then you need to look out for these alarming signs. If you see them or anything that looks like them, it may be your cue to move on from applying. 

Multiple Job Titles for a single job posting

The job title for this job posting is unclear and confusing - UI/Graphic Designer/Snr.Developer. A User Interface designer should not have the job description of a graphic Designer or a senior developer because all of these job titles are entirely different from each other. Hence, if you see a job title that is not specific, you may want to take a pause. Go ahead, and check the list of responsibilities. It may also lack specificity and use vague language like "various tasks" or "other duties assigned" without exactly stating what the tasks entail, leaving the candidates in the dark. If you are a candidate, you have to start thinking if you will be a graphics designer or a senior developer and this is one sign that tells you to drop the job application and leave. 

Unrealistic Expectations

These are the most common signs and you must have come across them at different times while job hunting. Even on social media, people post pictures of job listings that need a candidate for a junior role to have 4-5 years of experience - these are examples of unrealistic expectations because a junior staff/worker should only be about 1 - 2 years into the role. 

Also, this is another job description as seen on the internet, the "combination of education and experience should be 10 years" and "4 years extra related job experience." The numbers are wrong and they appear quite unrealistic. Apart from the skills, if a job description is asking for excessive hours and constant availability that is quite unnecessary for the job role, it indicates that they are not heavy on work-life balance and that may be your cue to step back. 

No Company Information

When people search for jobs and they find some, they also think it is okay to check out the employers on websites or social media platforms. This is, however, only possible when the company's information is on the job board or job posting. But, if there is a job description without any information, you may have limited information about the value, mission, and culture of the organization. Also, not having the name or any vital information of a company on a job posting may signal that the organization is not transparent and is not keen on attracting real candidates. Some job descriptions may appear like "a reputable oil and gas company is looking to hire a mechanical engineer…." A reputable company is not the name of an organization and it is much better to opt for job postings/descriptions that carry information about the employer. 

Below-Market Salary

Your awareness of how skilled you are and what your salary should be will help you identify a problematic job description. If the salary offered in a job description is below the market average for similar positions, then something must be out of place with the job. If you have never worked in that role, you may want to check similar job descriptions or check the internet to see what the pay range should be. Anything way less than that means that the company is probably not competitive and this could affect your job satisfaction and financial well-being. Hence, when salaries or salary ranges are significantly far from the industry standard, you may need to check out. 

Featuring unrelated skills

For example, tech is a broad concept and there are a whole lot of talents requiring different skills. If a job description features a wrong skill requirement for a job role or does not align with the core job responsibilities, you may get confused and that comes off as a ref flag. Also, it can indicate that the employer doesn't have a proper understanding of what the role is about. An HR might have just thought it her duty to write out job descriptions without the help of a person who is skilled in that role, leaving you as a potential candidate in doubt and confusion. If you get discouraged reading such a job description, it's much better if you don't apply to avoid further problems. 

Job descriptions are undoubtedly important, don't always assume that everything is right with it. Therefore, read carefully, and understand the role and skills required. Check over and over to be sure that it aligns with your skill set. Don't gamble-apply thinking that you will get a better insight when you move to the next stage. If it appears vague, unrealistic, and short-changed, look for other job opportunities. 

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