Translating Job Ad Jargon into Plain English

Translating Job Ad Jargon into Plain EnglishTranslating Job Ad JargonTranslating Job Ad Jargon into Plain EnglishJob ads have their own jargon, and it can be helpful when writing your resume and cover letter to understand what it means when an employer says you should be a self-starter or xxx skills would be a plus. The job ad pictured here is a real posting pulled from Monster.com (with identifying details removed). Using actual phrases from this ad, what follows are some translations to help job seekers understand what the employer is really looking for. Very small teamThey work together on everything, so everyone has to play well together or it wont work. No prima donnas. No body odor. No aholes. No whiners.Self-starterThey want someone whose motto is Just do it, (or in redneck-speak, Git-r-done)A self-starter doesnt sit around and wait to be told what to do next. S/he sees what needs to be done, asks questions if necessary, and does it. Pitch in and do whatever is neededOccasiona lly, you will be asked to go pick up bagels for a meeting or help stuff 1,500 envelopes for tomorrows trade show. The part they hire will need to understand that no task is beneath them if it contributes to the success of the business.Flexibility and ability to work well in a team are essentialThis basically reiterates all of the above, which tells you how important these things are to the employer. Essential qualities are generally non-negotiable (unlike those that would be a plus).Order processing, entering orders, following the order through , answering phones, sending out catalogs, filingThese duties are all pretty easy to learn, so the important thing to stress is how well and accurately you can do them.Attention to detailTheyre looking for the kind of person who doesnt make stupid mistakes that embarrass the company, such as typos or transposed numbers, or even such small details as crooked shipping labels.Excellent communication skillsYoure the face of the company when youre speaking or corresponding with clients. They dont want someone who sounds like an ignorant, gum-smacking thug, or who writes like a 3rd grader.Good math skillsSame idea as above. Perfect words and perfect numbers.Cheerful, get-it-done attitudeDont whine, dont sigh, dont roll your eyes, dont call in sick on the day the team is supposed to clean out the file cabinets.Common sense This is pretty self-explanatory (unless you lack the trait in question). They want an employee who will think things through and who knows its better to ask a stupid question than make a stupid mistake.Ability to learn quicklyIts frustrating to train someone who forgets it all the next day. They want the kind of person who asks questions, takes notes, creates cheat sheets, and doesnt claim to understand if they dont. Office and customer service experience are a plusThis goes back to the fact that duties and directly related experience are less important to them than attitude and personality. When qualificatio ns are listed as a plus, that means theyre non-essential. They would be nice to have, but its not a deal breaker if you dont have them.The environment and dress are casual, but our commitment to the work we do is very professionalThey want someone who, while wearing jeans and a hoodie, can present a professional image on the phone and in writing. Pride in maintaining high standardsThey are proud of their company, and they want you to be proud, too. No slackers or shoddy workers.Once you get used to thinking like a hiring manager, its easy to see what these common terms really mean. Armed with that knowledge, you can tailor your resume and cover letter to show the employer that you understand their business needs, and have what it takes to fulfill them.Got a favorite piece of job ad jargon? Leave a comment below