#12 Read job posts like a hiring manager
- Mel Fox Dhar
- Oct 8
- 2 min read
(so you can help them immediately see how you're the answer to their problem)
If job posts make you think “I could do totally do this job… so why am I not getting traction?” you’re not alone.
Most descriptions are vague. You don’t need to decode every line - you need four signals that reveal the business problem behind the bullets. And job descriptions are just that - a problem to be solved.
Skim once, gather four signals (90 seconds)
1) Pain: what’s actually brokenWhy: Roles exist to fix a pain. If you can't name it, they won't see how you fit. Signals: activation, adoption, retention, churn, positioning, enablement, pipeline, information architecture, on-time delivery,.Quick test: If a word shows up 3×, that’s the pain.
2) Altitude: how hands-on they need you to beWhy: Mismatch here triggers “too senior/too junior.”Signals: “individual contributor,” “own end-to-end,” “hands-on,” “manage a team of…,” “first hire.”
3) Metric: how they’ll judge successWhy: Decisions are made on numbers; look for what numbers they need changed so you can tell them how you’ll change their number.Signals: activation %, trial→active, retention %, ARR, pipeline $, CAC/LTV, on-time %, NPS/CSAT.
4) Constraints: why it’s hard right nowWhy: Context shapes the solution; acknowledging it lowers their risk.Signals: 0→1, early stage, limited resources, legacy systems, no research cadence, migration, compliance.
Tiny example (so you can see the shape)
JD excerpt: “Own activation. Reduce time-to-value. Improve trial→paid conversion. IC role.”
Your read:
pain = trial→paid drop-off
altitude = hands-on IC
metric = activation %, TTV
constraints = self-serve product + thin data.
Your one-line example (proof you’ll reuse):
Raised trial→active +11pts in 90 days by removing two first-run blockers and clarifying the “aha” path.
Make it real (without overwhelm)
A) Fix two resume bullets (10 min)
Rewrite two bullets to mirror the JD’s pain + metric.
Before: “Managed onboarding for new users.”
After: Raised trial→active +11 pts in 90 days by removing two first-run blockers and clarifying the “aha” path.
B) Send a 2-sentence note (copy this)
I help teams fix [their pain] at [their stage]. Recently [your one-line example].
I’m keen on [this role/company] because [specific tie to their product/metric].
(If you applied: “Applied today — Job [ID].”)
Shortcut: use ChatGPT when you don’t know the company/space
I’m applying for [role title] at [company]. The JD highlights [phrase 1], [phrase 2], [phrase 3]. In ≤120 words: (1) the likely business problem, (2) the context/constraints (stage, GTM motion, resourcing, systems), and (3) 2–3 first 30–60 day moves to improve [their key metric]. Then write a 2-sentence note to a hiring manager in plain language using this proof: [paste one relevant win].
Spend five minutes today - pull the four signals, fix two bullets, send two sentences.
That’s how you'll turn more applications into more recruiter calls this week.
Keep me posted on how this goes for you.
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