If you read job offers and descriptions, you will find recurring phrases and formulations. At first glance, these texts appear to be merely informative. But if you take a closer look, you will learn a lot more about the company and the project – both positive and negative.

About us...

Before the job description goes into detail about the job, there is usually a somewhat longer passage about the company itself. If you look closely, you can draw conclusions about the company, the working methods and the project. If the company founder is praised to the skies, there is usually a strong hierarchy and little flexibility. Is the company part of an international network? Here too, instructions and decisions usually come from the company's headquarters or head office. If you position yourself correctly here, you may soon receive an offer to stay longer and be taken on.

But a medium-sized company can also be convincing. Most of them are family businesses and that means a collegial atmosphere, on a first-name basis with the boss. You should also like the family atmosphere and be happy to get involved privately. If the chemistry is right, you are sure to be hired again.

Phrases such as: ‘We are a successful, innovative company that has been growing rapidly for years ...’ are also important. When it comes to profit maximisation and market dominance, this often means a lot of stress and pressure to perform for the specialists. But companies that are growing offer ideal conditions for careers and exciting projects.

Our tip: You will usually find important information about the company here. Research and find out about projects, subsidiaries and expansion plans. This will definitely help you score points in the interview.

We are looking for...

Most people are looking for a ‘jack of all trades’ who can do everything, is young and still at the start of their career. These lists of requirements are sometimes quite long and are more frightening than inviting. Don't worry, this list is a wish list and not an absolute must.

The most important qualities and qualifications are usually always at the top. These should fit. The requirements at the bottom are the ones that the company may be able to do without. This allows you to quickly find out which requirements are most important for this job and which are secondary.

Also look out for keywords such as ‘required’, ‘indispensable’, ‘necessary’ or ‘we expect’. These show you which requirements are definitely desired.

Requirement: several years of professional experience

As far as this point is concerned, you can easily estimate how much expertise is actually required. With 1-2 years of professional experience as a specialist, this is more of a junior level. If more than four years of professional experience is expected, they look for someone in a senior position. However, if you do not have this experience, you need to consider whether there are other arguments you can use to score points, e.g. many years of industry expertise.

Requirement: independent working style

If you are an experienced specialist and have been in the job long enough, you can normally work independently. This is why such formulations are often just empty phrases. However, this requirement can also conceal a chaotic company. Ask exactly what is meant by ‘independent working style’ and how the work structures and teams operate there. In the worst case scenario, you could end up in a company where you have to learn the ropes yourself.

Requirement: Ability to work in a team

Certainly one of the most common phrases - the ability to work in a team is actually a must for every job, after all, you almost always work with people. But what does this ability to work in a team mean? Because this requirement is different for a salesperson in the field than for an employee in an open-plan office who has to get on with twenty colleagues. However, do not ask in the interview what is meant by the ability to work in a team in the company. Phrase the question more along the lines of: ‘How do the individual teams work together here?’

Requirement: supporting our...

Supporting other teams and colleagues is actually a given. In this formulation, however, it is not clear whether you are supposed to work as an assistant to a colleague or whether you will be working together as partners. This is an important point that you should clarify beforehand.

We hope that we have been able to explain the wording and descriptions in the project offers in more detail. You will find even more interesting information in the second part of our article.

And if you have any questions: Bosshard & Partner is at your side and will provide you with comprehensive advice to help you find the job that suits you best as an ICT specialist. Just ask us. We will be happy to support you..