What Employers Really Want: How to Match Your Skills to Job Descriptions

Have you ever flipped a job position over and read the job description and had no clue what to think about it or if you really have what they seek? -- you are not the only one. It can be like puzzling out another code just by reading between the lines of a job opening. However, the fact is that even the majority of the employers do not seek an ideal candidate. They want the best candidate not with specific skills but with an untapped potential and a person who can interact with the job.

The trick is to know how to fill the gap between what you have done and what the employer needs. That implies learning how to read job descriptions tactically and to highlight your skills in a clear confident manner.

So what do employers really want? So how can you make your resume, cover letter and interview answers reflect exactly what employers want?

1. Start by Understanding the Job Behind the Job Description

Job descriptions are usually filled with jargon or general lists of duties. However, when you pay close attention you can find a pattern: what are the results they are most interested in? Are they putting technical skills, communication, or flexibility at the center of focus? Are they day to day strategy oriented or long-term oriented?

To be specific, when a job states that they require team collaboration and communication skills and management of stakeholders, this is not at all soft skills, this is hard core on the priority list. It also implies that you need to focus on the instances when you led cross-functional activities, collaborated with teams, or had to control expectations during the application process.

The secret is as follows: less attention should be paid to aligning each of its bullets, and it is the purpose of the role that should be aligned.

2. Identify Your Transferable Skills

Regardless of your prior work experience, it is highly probable that you possess skills which can be applied to different roles and industries.

• Problem-solving
• Project management
• Client communication
• Data analysis
• Writing and editing
• Digital literacy
• Adaptability

Think about how someone with a background in event planning would apply for a digital marketing position. As with digital marketing, event planning requires sharp organizational skills, the ability to capture and sustain an audience’s attention, and execution of sophisticated campaigns. With a bit of creativity, you can help your potential employer see the connections.

3. Customize Your Resume for Each Application

There is no response for resumes that call for only generic information. It shows that the employer looks for specific information that relates to the position being hired, and that effort was put into the application.

Here’s how:

• The use of action verbs and tools as keywords from the job description is crucial, so pay attention to them.
• Breakdown of job functions should not be mentioned. Primary focus should instead be on the underscored outstanding work from prior roles.
• Wherever possible, state the monetary or numerical value attached to your work. “Managed a budget of $25K” or “engagement increased by 40%.”
• Focus on the listed credentials, especially the prerequisites, and build the application based on the required skills, experience, and knowledge.

You have a story and how you crafted it to answer for your application is your decision. You are not rewriting a whole new version.

4. Craft a Cover Letter That Connects the Dots

The cover letter acts as the connection for both the job description and the resume. It answers “why” the prospective candidates are ideal for the role, which should have been described in the cover letter.

Use the resume as reference to elaborate how previous roles held added relevance to the new roles in a value-adding way rather than simply repeating it. For example:

“Your marketing strategies deem for a human approach and I while serving as a content strategist, I developed campaigns that pinpointed customer pain points and therefore aligned beautifully with those strategies.”

Aspects covered should be null to the employers and exact to their expectations, including the wording they provided.

5. Demonstrate Soft Skills in Your Examples

Of course knowing how to do something is critical. But your work habits today matter more when applying for most positions. 

If the prospective employer regards leading, adaptability and collaboration as critical traits, tell them stories that illustrate those qualities. What is worse is vague claims like “I am a great communicator.” More persuasive is explaining how excellent communication skills resolved a quarrel or produced excellent results during a team project.

Utilizing the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method will aid you in demonstrating your impact as well as preparing for interviews.

6. Show Enthusiasm and Growth Potential

In relation to job postings, it is perfectly fine not to meet every requirement. Employers, especially when paired with distinct appreciation and willingness to learn from the candidate, often work with passion over “right” qualifications.

Highlight recent course completion and certifications that you’ve earned, these two together prove great initiative and the ability to learn, which is deeply valued among employers.

Final Thoughts: Be the Solution They’re Hiring For

An ideal candidate fulfills a company's job description and their expectations are much deeper, such as teamwork, problem-solving, and value addition.

Bridging the gap between being “just another candidate” to the perfect recruit because of the need to only meet requirements specified in the job description.

After understanding this approach, you can explore other opportunities and highlight the proactive nature to embrace the responsibilities seamlessly, instead of passively waiting for the employer's initiative. When responding, there is no clear silences for questions that have been shared in the job details.

They’ll know you’re the one.