Understanding a Job Advert and the Position Description: Your Guide to Applying with Confidence

Understanding what a role is truly asking for begins with knowing how to interpret both the job advert and the position description.

Navigating the job market can feel overwhelming, especially when trying to interpret adverts and position descriptions that vary widely in detail, tone and clarity.

At Morton Philips, we support candidates in making informed, confident decisions - and that begins with truly understanding what a role is asking for, beyond the headline requirements.

A job advert is often your first introduction to an opportunity.

· It provides a concise snapshot: the organisation, the purpose of the role and the key responsibilities.

· However, its primary goal is attraction, not exhaustive detail. This means candidates should read job adverts with a discerning eye, identifying the core themes - such as leadership, technical expertise, change management or stakeholder engagement - rather than focusing solely on the checklist of duties.

· Adverts often highlight the most visible elements of a role, but they rarely tell the full story.

This is where the position description becomes essential.

· A well-crafted position description dives deeper, outlining the scope, expectations, performance measures and organisational context.

· It describes how success will be defined, how the role connects to key stakeholders and where the real priorities lie.

· Candidates who take the time to analyse this document can better understand not just what they will do, but why the role exists and how it contributes to broader objectives.

Understanding both documents together allows candidates to evaluate genuine fit.

Look for patterns across responsibilities, required capabilities and behavioural expectations.

Pay attention to whether the role emphasises operational delivery, strategic leadership, cultural uplift or transformation.

Consider the environment described - fast-paced, complex, highly regulated, community-focused - and reflect on whether it aligns with your strengths and motivations.

At Morton Philips, we encourage candidates to seek clarity early.

We provide insights that go beyond the written materials, offering context about the organisation’s direction, the team culture and the subtle but significant expectations that may not appear on paper.

This deeper understanding equips candidates to present themselves in a genuine and confident manner, tailoring their applications to reflect their true capabilities and aspirations.

Ultimately, understanding a job advert and the position description is about more than decoding documents - it’s about making informed career decisions.

With the right guidance and a clear interpretation, candidates can approach opportunities with purpose, confidence and alignment.

Morton Philips – 08 82108510– operations@mortonphilips.com.au

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