How to Read a Job Ad

Just like reading singles ads in the paper, want ads have their own language. We all realize that no job is perfect and employers are honest enough to let you know about them in advance, but not so honest they scare potential employees away. It's your own fault if you miss the finer points, so follow these steps to read what a job ad is really saying.

Instructions

1. Understand that an entry-level position in a job ad means you'll be making minimum wage. It has nothing to do with the level of experience they're looking for.

2. Be wary of the self-starter requirement. This means there's something incomplete in the business. Maybe they haven't gotten their payroll down yet. Maybe they're still getting their legal paperwork in order.

3. Picture your grandmother's closet, garage or basement when you see "organizational skills" as part of the job requirement. A company doesn't need someone who's organized if they're already organized. You could be looking at a boss who considers himself too much of a genius to cut your check on time, get broken equipment fixed or pay the electricity bill before it gets turned off.

4. Wonder about the work atmosphere when the job ad expressly asks for a positive attitude. Maybe your boss is a jerk. Maybe your coworkers are gripers. Maybe there's so much frustration on the job, you need a positive attitude just to keep sane.

5. Plan on major stress and frustration in a "fast-paced environment." Your work always has to be done yesterday. Your inbox will always be swamped. The phone will always be ringing. You'll have to work through lunch and stay late just to keep up.

6. Interpret a request to be a "team player" as a demand for diplomacy. Your coworkers and management constantly face conflict and they're expecting you to handle it. Only take the job if you have a PhD in psychology or social work.

7. Assume you'll be dealing with a lot of complaints when the job ad says "great customer service skills." Any company who says it values customer relationships above everything else is going to monitor your calls.

Tips & Warnings

• Read "competitive salary" in a job ad as meaning the low end of "competitive" in your industry.

• A "ground floor opportunity" means you'll be working in the basement.