How to read a job advt and understand the key criteria?

Some of my students who are job applicants, claim they have applied for hundreds of jobs but have not been selected, or yet even shortlisted for the roles. Firstly, I am surprised to hear that they can find hundreds of suitable jobs in the current job market, specifically suited for their experience. Secondly, it’s not surprising they do not get any response, as they are applying for jobs ads they think they can get, but in reality are not really suitable for as per the selection criteria. So what is and how to understand the selection criteria?

Let’s see a part of job ad that I saw recently. RF Technician

Our client is seeking the services of a suitably qualified RF Technician for to join their team in a permanent position. Duties and responsibilities include

• Testing and fault finding of PCB's down to component level on RF systems and products.
• Bench repairs on faulty RF equipment.
• Complete hardware and software updates as needed.
• Soldering of components and wire-wrapping
• General production support.
• Assist in identifying areas of improvement in the manufacturing of RF products
• Diploma or similar in RF Electronics/communications
• Hands on RF circuit experience (test, faultfinding & repair) to component and system level
• Advanced ability for reading and interpreting schematic drawings, system block diagrams, test procedures and assembly instructions.
• Experience in the use of RF Test equipment (Network Analysers, Power Meters Signal Generators)
• Strong soldering skills.

This is a reasonably well written job ad by a good experience recruiter, so I am going to use this as an example. It’s very specific as to what this recruiter is looking for. Not every applicant is going to be able to apply and get shortlisted for this role. Not all recruiters are able to outline the requirements so clearly and specifically. They just say seeking a Mechanical Engineer or Electrical Engineer or a Technician and get lots of response because it looks good on their KPIs. But its time wasting and frustrating for you, the applicant

As a job seeker you need to understand what the key requirements are for this role and if you meet the criteria? The key requirement here is the technical skills in PCBs & RF equipment, bench repair and soldering work. Do you have this experience in a recent, relevant job? If YES then this role if for you and you should apply; otherwise you should call the recruiter and qualify it further. What sort of RF equipment experience do you need? If you have RF experience 15 years ago then you may not be suitable for this role.  If you used RF equipment but did not service or repair it, then again it’s not the role for you even if you are a technician. Ok you are an Electrical Engineer who worked in company which sold RF equipment you know what they are used for and what types of products there are? Good. But you still do not know how to repair or service RF equipment. This is really what this recruiter is looking for.

Career Coaches are there in business for a reason. They save you time money and energy. They teach you a lot of small practical and important things which you are not really going to find in a book. It’s these tips, tools and techniques which sees students with career coaches mentoring them advance and secure jobs more easily.