What is that Job Posting Really Saying? How to Read Classifieds

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Because of the cost of space, classified ads in the newspapers and online speak in a kind of shorthand. Learning what these job postings are really saying is an important part of the job search process. Let’s take a look at this classified ad and analyze it.

SALES, Men & Women
Earn upward of $1,000 commission.
Starting Next Monday
Work only in Southern New Jersey
No evenings or weekends
Our reps are independent contractors
Call for Confidential Interview

This sounds like a great opportunity. You can start making serious money right away, you will be able to work close from home and the schedule looks very reasonable. Before you rush down to apply for this job, let’s really look at what this ad didn’t say.

What will you be selling in this new job? Like many ads for open sale jobs it doesn't say. Why not? Is the company hiring not particulary proud of its products? I'm always a little cautious when a company does not mention its product or service in their advertisements for open positions. It is also a huge red flag if that when you reply to this ad they are not forthcoming with that information over the phone. An organization that wants you to come down and meet them face to face before telling you about their prodict or service is probably pretty sketchy.

What are the qualifications for the job? Very often classified ads don't list any requirements for experience, educational background, or related product or service knowledge. This is usually a pretty fair indicator that they will hire anyone for the job.

You can make a thousand dollars per… what? Per day? Per week? Per month? The ad doesn’t say. What is the method of pay for this position? Is it salary or commission? A combination of the two?

Many ads in the classified section of the newspaper often lack any specifics like this example. The employer looking to fill this open sales position seems to be deliberately vague on key points of the job.The classified ad wants people who can start work on Monday. This means the company is looking for sales people who are unemployed, or who are willing to desert their current employer immediately. This means your prospective employer will probably drop you just as fast. It also means that the company wants to hire people who are either desperate for work or a new job.

This classified ad is looking for anyone that is willing to apply for the position. It is very likely that you are not going to get any real training or support in this job. Expect to walk down the street, knocking on doors.

The job posting stated that you will be paid a commission for this job. It is a very safe bet this is a straight commission position, no salary, no draw, and no expenses.

Take special notice, “Our reps are independent contractors.” This is a term that means, “We are not putting you on payroll and paying your payroll taxes.” So what does this mean to you? It means that you will have to make your own tax payments to the IRS. These payments will be higher than what you would normally be deducted from your paycheck for FICA (social security) taxes. You will also be excluded from any employment benefits the company has, such as group health insurance.

Considerable information can be taken from classified ads once you learn how to read them. Here are some common terms.

Entry Level Position: This is a beginner’s job for someone starting out their career. Don’t expect the job to pay much. This doesn’t mean that it is a bad job. It may be a great place to get training, employment experience and to build your reference list.

Sales Manager Trainee: You’re going to be a salesperson. After you get the job you’ll find that everyone in the office except for the boss is a “sales manager trainee.”

Unlimited Income: You’ll be working on straight commission for this job.

Bonuses Paid Daily: This will probably be a very high pressure sales job. Expect a very hysterical work environment.

No Phone Calls: They won’t make an appointment for an interview because they expect you to go to their office and be willing to sit until they have time to interview you. This is probably a cattle call.

Leads, Leads, Leads!: Most of your time will be spent calling on people who filled out entry forms expecting to win a free trip to Bermuda.

Once you know how to read job postings, there are guidelines you can follow to help you decide which classified ads to answer.

Look for a company with specific requirements. These companies know what they want for the open job opportunity. If you happen to be the right person applying for the position, they will pay a top dollar salary to get you.

Look for a company that defines the responsibility of the job. The classified ad should specify the product or service.

Look for the ad that outlines the compensation arrangement. Don’t expect disclosure of annual income in the advertisements. The information will be withheld until the job interview, and even later. But the classified ad should state whether or not the pay is salary, commission or a combination of the two.

Look to work for companies that offer training. The company that goes to the expense of training you is banking on your talents and wants you to succeed at the job. This is good for your career future even if you decide to leave the company down the road. The larger the investment the company is willing to make in your career success, the longer they will want to keep you working for them.

Be wary of phony requirements posted in job classified ads advertisements, “Must be honest and reliable.” People on death row consider themselves to be honest and reliable. Another meaningless qualification is “Must like people.” The only people this job classified ad has ever eliminated are those who hate the entire human race.

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