Visiting any job listings site, or going through the wanted pages of your local newspapers, you generally must have felt that though you could make out the English language of the ads clearly, you could not understand a thing about those ads. It must have looked foreign to you. The thing is job ads possess their own colorful jargon, and they reflect an employer's requirements and non-requirements.

Whether you are a fresh graduate or a seasoned employee looking for a job change, you are sure to be flabbergasted by the lingo of the ads. Proper understanding of the job listings ads will make you feel that you have already traveled half the distance towards getting the job. These are stressful times for the job seeker.

The expertise lies in catching the correct meaning and intentions of the employer so that you can adapt yourself for the requirement. It is the job of career counseling gurus to coach you the actual meanings of job listings jargon. The following are some of the tips on vocabulary and language of the employment job listings ads.

Ideal or Perfect Candidate
For an 'ideal or perfect candidate', the ad lists several requirements that you often wonder whether the employer is really interested in taking candidates. Looking at the formidable job requirements, you will wonder whether to apply or not. But, the reality is that the employer is only targeting for people who meet just 60 - 70% of the set criteria. The employers always look for an ideal candidate only, come what may. If you can presume that you are ideal, then go ahead and apply, and try your luck.

Entry-level
It denotes that you should be prepared to join the company at the lowest rung of the ladder, and should be prepared to work for meager salary. Obviously, the employer is looking for people who are either fresh from college or finished college a couple of years ago.

Experienced
This means that the employer expects candidates with some work experience in the relevant field or position. Sometimes, the experience may be general in nature, not necessarily in relevant area. For middle management positions, this would mean having at least 3 to 4 years of experience, while senior level positions require a minimum 10 to 12 years of experience.

Working Knowledge
It is possible it will be enough if you are familiar with and can understand the principles and other aspects of the work. It doesn't necessarily mean you have actually worked it yourself.

Proficient
Proficiency denotes a successful handling of a task, the task in present context is the required capability in a candidate. In present days, it may also mean proficiency in working with complex software.

Command of
It means overall control of a task, skills, exceptional past experience, and ability to get work done by others.

Preferred
There is a possible misconception here. Preferred is only desirable, not absolutely required. Such ads are open to all candidates. The 'preferred' characteristic will only add extra weight to the candidates.

Required
This is absolute necessity. No compromise here. You must possess it or forget applying.

Benefits
These are besides salary. These are perquisites that come along with salary. The benefits vary with positions and are as per company rules.

Compensation Package
This is salary with fringe benefits from the employer. So, you talk about total package in the interview.