Job ad puzzles
This week, Anushka wants to know what "ability to work autonomously" means, while Pete wants to know what employers mean by "process driven".
Job ads should provide key information that candidates should in turn address specifically in their applications. That is, if they know what the words and phrases mean. In the past we have looked at OTE (on target earnings) and FMCGs (Fast Moving Consumer Goods). If you missed those columns, you'll find them in the Ask Kate Archives on www.careerone.com.au. The ability to work "autonomously" means you can work alone. It is someone who can be relied upon to work diligently and to a high standard with no one around to supervise him or her. A person who is given one set of instructions and then gets on with things without further guidance or assistance is someone who can work alone. "Process-driven" is a person with a good eye for detail who takes a systematic or structured approach to their work. Pete would be expected to draw on his real life job experience to demonstrate to employers that he was process driven. So he could describe a job role that had set deadlines, routines, work tasks and performance measures that were met. Examples of roles requiring a process-driven person would include data entry, IT project management or a safety inspector. I, for one, am not "process-driven". I do have to be organised but I am not comfortable with highly-structured work routines. While there is nothing right or wrong about that, it would be foolish of me to apply for a job that required a process-driven person. Work happiness is all about choosing a job that fits your natural preferences so keep that in mind.
Job ads should provide key information that candidates should in turn address specifically in their applications. That is, if they know what the words and phrases mean. In the past we have looked at OTE (on target earnings) and FMCGs (Fast Moving Consumer Goods). If you missed those columns, you'll find them in the Ask Kate Archives on www.careerone.com.au. The ability to work "autonomously" means you can work alone. It is someone who can be relied upon to work diligently and to a high standard with no one around to supervise him or her. A person who is given one set of instructions and then gets on with things without further guidance or assistance is someone who can work alone. "Process-driven" is a person with a good eye for detail who takes a systematic or structured approach to their work. Pete would be expected to draw on his real life job experience to demonstrate to employers that he was process driven. So he could describe a job role that had set deadlines, routines, work tasks and performance measures that were met. Examples of roles requiring a process-driven person would include data entry, IT project management or a safety inspector. I, for one, am not "process-driven". I do have to be organised but I am not comfortable with highly-structured work routines. While there is nothing right or wrong about that, it would be foolish of me to apply for a job that required a process-driven person. Work happiness is all about choosing a job that fits your natural preferences so keep that in mind.
