In today’s economy, more and more people are finding themselves unemployed. Finding a job is not easy in a good economy and finding the “right” job with the “right” employer is even more of a challenge. The employer bottom feeders will be out soon, if they aren’t already, trying to scoop up all the educated, skilled workers for pennies on the dollar. These are the revolving door employers who use and abuse and can’t understand why people don’t stay. With a high unemployment market, these employers are positive they are going to find the perfect employee and use all their charm in the advertising to find them.

There have been times that I have found myself scouring the “Help Wanted” ads in the local newspaper, looking for that ideal job that could lead to a promising, secure future of employment only to be disappointed by the notorious “catch phrases” and deceptive wording of the advertisement. The most promising employment opportunities had the job descriptions and office environment conditions that I was looking for, but I would discover the farce of the advertisement once I went through the interview process.

The interview process is when the prospective employer gets to meet you and you them. At this time, it is very important to listen and watch the interviewer as they are listening and watching you. Careful use of words, body language and facial expressions are what you look at and remember, the potential employer is doing the same with you. We have all heard the saying about actions matching words and this is true even in an employment interview. Listen to the interviewer as they ask questions, are the questions related to the job you are applying for or are they just generalized questions? If generalized, they may be testing you to see how much you are willing to take on “for the better of the company”. Do the questions revolve around central topics? What is the topic? Are the questions related to how you handle task deadlines, irritated customers, how you handle a mistake or “constructive” criticism? These types of questions indicate that this is a high stress job. Basically, the types of questions asked in an interview are YOUR look inside the “real” job.

“Help Wanted” ads are usually the first look at a company. Depending on the advertisement, you decide whether or not you call and apply. You base your decision on the wording of the advertisement and employers know this. Basically, a “Help Wanted” ad is a sales pitch, “What can we say that will get us the most applicants with the skills we want?”

The following are job requirements and office environment conditions that are used in employment advertising and I have taken the liberty to provide definitions.

Fast Pace Office – You must be able to complete paperwork, data entry, and computations while answering the phone that will not stop ringing and have answers to any question that is asked at any given moment.

Self-Starter/Self Motivated – Promote the business and complete sales while your superior gets the credit and commission that your hard work accomplished.

Able to Multi-task – Perform the duties of three or more people with no mistakes and meeting deadlines.

Able to Work Independently – Management or the “person in charge” is not in the office often and you need to keep the business flowing and profitable so the absent person doesn’t get discovered as being absent.

Detail Oriented/Attention to Detail – Mistakes are not acceptable. All work must be perfect.

Positive Attitude/Energetic – This is a high stress office and you must be able to hide the stress. Be cheerful at all times – no matter what.

Team Player – Do what you are told with no questions asked, do not voice an opposing opinion and let the veteran employees do what they want. Don’t make waves.

Stress-free Environment – We can’t pay much, we are a small company with no plans to grow. Our office is a mess, but we know where everything is, whatever happens, happens.

Of course, you may have definitions of your own or additional advertising terms that have caught your eye. I encourage you to add them to the ones listed above.

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