Decode the Job

Matching your skills to the employer’s needs

  • How do your past experiences and skills connect to what the employer needs?
  • You may encounter employers looking for skills you feel you do not have.  
  • Try to think critically about what you have done in your past roles and be creative.  
  • Connections often exist, even though we don’t see them at first.  

 

They Want

(List key skills and experiences the employer stated)

I Have

(Skills, experiences, training or other qualifications)

Example: Organization skills

Organized scheduling and logistics for groups of 10 youths ages 7-10 in weekly outdoor activities including coordinating transportation and collecting payment and waiver forms

Find out more

Job Postings Red Flags 

It is important to be mindful of fraudulent opportunities. Below are some key pieces to assess validity of posting when you are job searching: 

  • Asking for personal information before a in person or virtual interview is scheduled or before any official paper has been sent to you for review 
  • Take note if the person is using a personal email or company email for contacting you 
  • Being offered the position without knowing anything about you and your qualifications and experience 
  • Is the posting making lofty or vague promises? Does there seem to be little or vague details about company and the role? 
  • When you research position and company, is there an official website and contact information 
  • Trust your intuition, if an interaction or correspondence seems suspicious or makes you uncomfortable then do not proceed