Ask a Mentor: Intimidated by Job Descriptions

Compiled and edited by Julie Tereshchuk.

Dear Mentors,

How do you figure out where you fit into the new digital frontier when you have been out of the professional workforce game for over ten years? I am confident in my knowledge, skills and education but not in how that correlates to getting hired. I find myself becoming intimidated by the job descriptions that require years of ad agency experience, the jargon used, and the software required. I need a translator. Help!

Yours,

Ms. Uncertain

Dear Ms. Uncertain,

My recommendation is to hire a professional career coach. They will have the context to translate job descriptions and compare your skills to the skill sets of others.

Yours,

Christine Moline

Dear Ms. Uncertain,

Kathy Lansford-Powell, a respected career counselor at Workforce Solution Center and founder of LaunchPad Job Club, teaches that if you feel qualified for 75% of a particular position, apply for it. Often employers shoot for the moon in their job descriptions. Some descriptions are written by HR, not the hiring manager, so the actual position may differ in reality. If you’re a good fit in all but a few areas, employers may provide training or mentoring. Having said that, compare a thin slice of similar positions. Analyze which technical skill keeps popping up. See if you can find an online instructional video or class to help you ramp up quickly, or hire a friend to teach a basic tutorial. Most of all, have confidence in the skills you do possess–and when you don’t get a position, have the courage to ask for feedback so you can grow and get closer to finding the right fit.

Yours,

Karen Aroian

Got your own career conundrum you’d like advice on? Then sign up for the WCA mentor program. It’s free to members!