This post originally appeared on the SkillStorm blog: www.skillstorm.com/blog

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By now you’re well aware of how important it is to use buzzwords when applying for a job. But have you noticed that so many of the job announcements these days seem to be using the same buzzwords? This can really be frustrating, especially if you’re looking for the right fit. With so many positions sounding alike it can be difficult to know which positions are truly a good match with your talents.

Source: FORTUNE.com

Why are more employers using similar buzzwords these days? There are a few reasons. It could be because someone in the company is not up-to-date on current verbiage and isn’t aware that a particular word‘s meaning has changed in the last decade. Or it could be that someone in the human resources department has one idea for describing the position, while the hiring manager may have another. It might just be a technique many employers are currently using to attract the best candidates to their organizations.

Understanding the meanings behind some of the most common buzzwords could help you decide if that ‘perfect’ job is really worth applying for.

1. 1. We’re looking for someone who is ‘flexible and adaptable’. Those words could mean the company wants a person who has the ability to manage stress and set priorities.

It could also mean the position – or the company’s direction – is constantly changing.

2. The ideal candidate has the ‘ability to work independently’. Those words could mean the company is looking for a person who can work autonomously, demonstrates initiative and doesn’t need to be micro-managed.

It could also mean the company doesn’t provide much training or direction.

3. We’re looking for a ‘team player’. Those words could mean the company or department is small and it’s important that everyone be a contributor.

It could also mean that you’ll be giving your ideas and solutions to your boss who will take credit and continue to move up in the organization while you remain in the position you were hired for.

4. The position requires a candidate who is ‘detail-oriented’. Those words could mean that position involves detail, such as payroll or data-entry.

It could also mean that everything you do will be highly scrutinized with little to no room for flexibility.

5. The ideal candidate is ‘dedicated or determined’. Those words could mean the company is looking for a person who is passionate and is willing to work hard.

It could also mean you’re expected to answer emails sent to you at 11 PM on a Sunday.

When you understand the meaning behind a buzzword, you’ll be in a better position to determine whether or not the job, and what it encompasses, is right for you.

What buzzwords or phrases do you feel have lost meaning because they are being used by employer in job announcements?

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