To expect job adverts to actually describe the job?

[amammabear]

I am going round the twist!

I'm regularly looking at vacancies at the moment and I'm finding it all utterly infuriating. Half of the job titles don't actually mean anything, reading the job description makes nothing clearer as to what the job actually is, or what the requirements are- and then part time jobs never say what the actual hours are! Ok, so it's 16, 20, 30 hours etc- but WHICH?! Are the hours specific or flexible?

Am I supposed to be psychic?! Argh...

[user1477282676]

job descriptions without an actual description are either pyramid schemes or sales jobs on comission only.

If you can't work out immediately what the job involves, then it's not something you want to be doing I promise you.

[1horatio]

Not stating the exact hours is normal imo. (My job doesn't even have hours, tbh)

But yes, there should be a job description. Anything else seems a bit fishy, imo.

[Snowflake65]

I find the not stating the hours really annoying, yes ok so it's part time but if it is 10am til 2pm then it is doable if it is 6pm til 10pm not so.

[OliviaStabler]

I don't like the ones with no stated salary. How do I know if it's worth applying if they don't state how much the job pays!

[amammabear]

It's not that there's no description at all, Ida just that it's such a load of waffle that I can't make out what the actual job is! They're mostly local council and non medical nhs roles.

Not stating the hours is a nightmare as like @snowflake65 says, I've no idea if I can do it or not! If it's flexible with no fixed hours it could say that, but if it's fixed hours, how are people supposed to know whether they can apply or not?

[1horatio]

Well, there are many jobs where working time is not measured.

But you could simply apply and ask during the interview? Or call them (if that's an option)?

[amammabear]

I always feel bad calling and asking questions before applying, but also don't like applying and wasting everyone's time.

[Janek]

I would always call and ask for the details if it's not clear. It is such a waste of your time if you appky for something you wouldn't be able to do, and how are you supposed to tailor your application if you don't know all the relevant information. Also, I think it shows initiative and makes you stand out a bit if you've already spoken to someone and then they receive your application as they recognise your name.

[1horatio]

ama

No, calling ahead is great.

And it can make a good impression. Especially if you ask the 'right' questions, which makes you appear quite competent.

And you'll be better prepared for the interview as well.

[amammabear]

Really? I thought they'd be annoyed

[YelloDraw]

Vague job adverts are such shit. Competitive salary? Fuck offnn

[1horatio]

amam

I personally hVe never made negative experiences with calling...

But maybe get some other opinions. Being an expat I expect my experience may be a bit different. (Well, I wasn't UK based back then...)

[MsVestibule]

If I'm unsure about a role, I always phone first - applying can take hours and there's no point if it's not suitable for me. I've never had any negative vibes from the person I've spoken to and as pp's have said, it can create a good impression.

[amammabear]

Thanks everyone

[MsVestibule]

Oh, and good luck with your search - I've just been offered a position (temporary ATM, but they may keep me on) after 8 years as a SAHM. I've applied for loads with not even an interview, so don't lose heart!

[PeachBellini123]

I recently recruited for a role and was pleased to talk to the people who phoned up and asked questions about it. Shows they are interested and weren't time wasters.

[1DAD2KIDS]

With such a saturated job market in most fields I think employers like to play their cards close to their chest. They need not say a lot as they will still get loads of applications. This way they can hide shit T&Cs and possibly tailor the job offer/hours to what they think they can get with the success applicant.

[TheBadgersMadeMeDoIt]

I would ring up and ask. I work for the NHS and there is definitely nothing wrong with calling up to ask for clarification. Generally if the specific hours aren't stated that implies there is some flexibility, but most employers will already have some idea of the times they want covered. Ring up and ask - make the most of the ambiguity to negotiate a working pattern that would suit you.

[amammabear]

Thanks everyone, I really thought they'd get annoyed with loads of people calling!

[blueshoes]

Until people call up and ask questions, they may not realise how poor the job description (maybe cobbled together by some person in HR) and hopefully will update the ad or pull their socks up next time, if only to avoid the calls.