Reading between the job ad lines

Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, January 16, 2007

There are many ways to begin a successful job search, such as online job boards, career fairs and networking events.

If you are looking for a local position – in Everett, Lynnwood or Seattle, for example – newspaper help-wanted ads provide an extremely accessible and user-friendly resource for learning about companies, tracking hiring trends and finding a local job.

How to read a help-wanted ad: When you sit down with the paper, keep your mind open to unexpected opportunities. Take a moment to scan the entire help-wanted section to see what types of jobs are available inside and outside your field. For instance, if your background is in health care, you can probably rule out financial institutions right away, but don’t forget that many corporations offer health and wellness services, schools and universities need qualified nurses, and laboratories are often staffed with medical professionals.

Most organizations will be forthright in their job postings by clearly stating their name, location, job title, responsibilities and manner in which you should apply (in person, phone, e-mail or fax). When you find a few ads that interest you, review them carefully to decide if they align with your personal requirements. For instance, if you need to keep your commute to less than 30 minutes, look at the address of the company and consider the route you would take to work each day. If you telecommute or work part-time, find ads that specify these types of employment.

The content of each listing will provide insight into the company culture and type of candidate they seek. The word “dynamic” usually means the business is fast-paced, handling numerous projects or clients at a time. If the ad mentions “team player,” be prepared to collaborate and compromise.

Researching companies through the classifieds: Help-wanted ads are like storyboards that illustrate key information about hiring companies. To identify trends or anticipate future openings with a specific organization, analyze their listings in various job categories and take note of what you find.

Let’s say a marketing firm advertises several positions at one time – in sales, client relations and project management. The hiring surge may be in response to recent management turnover or a high paying new client. Both of these options are good news for job seekers.

Also, high-level openings will usually lead to new opportunities in the coming months. As an example, if you find a posting for an operations director, keep a look out for new positions at various job levels, or send your resume and cover letter to express your interest in future roles.

Responding to newspaper ads: Learn as much as you can about an organization before contacting them. Try to locate the name of the human resources manager or supervisor to correctly address your cover letter. As a last resort, use the phrase “Dear Hiring Manager” or “To Whom It May Concern.” And, if you can honestly say that the job requirements in the advertisement apply to you, say so in your letter.

Newspaper help-wanted ads offer great source of information on local companies. Be diligent and confident in your job search. The opportunities will come.

Eve Nicholas has written resume materials and offered no-nonsense advice to thousands of job seekers. She can be reached at Eve.GetAJob@gmail.com.