The job title is only the start

When you see a job you like, it is easy to look at the title and apply right away.

But two jobs with the same title can be very different.

A Product Designer at one company may work mostly on mobile apps. Another Product Designer may spend most of the time working on a large B2B platform.

Before you apply, take a few minutes to read the full job description.

Look at the main responsibilities

Start with what the company expects you to do.

Look for things like:

  • What will you work on?
  • Who will you work with?
  • What will you be responsible for?
  • What problems will you solve?

The responsibilities often tell you more about the real job than the title does.

Separate must-have and nice-to-have skills

Some job descriptions have a very long list of requirements.

Don't assume you need every single skill.

Look for the skills that appear to be most important for the role. Then compare them with your own experience.

If you have most of the important skills and can do the main work, the role may still be worth considering.

Check the location

Location is especially important for remote jobs.

“Remote” does not always mean you can work from anywhere.

A company may have requirements such as:

  • Remote in the US
  • Remote in Europe
  • Remote within a specific time zone
  • Remote with occasional office visits

Always check this before applying.

Look at the company too

A job description is also a small window into the company.

Look at:

  • The company website
  • Other open positions
  • The size of the team
  • The products they build
  • The type of people they are hiring

You may find other roles that are a better match for you.

Before you click Apply

Ask yourself three simple questions:

Do I understand the role?

Do I have the main skills they need?

Would I actually enjoy this type of work?

If the answer is yes, it may be worth applying.

You don't need to match every line perfectly. The important thing is to understand what the company is really looking for.