How to Read a Job Posting

Overview

If you are new to applying for state government roles in California, you might be unsure if a job posting aligns with your passions and skill set. By law, the state of California’s job postings must meet specific requirements. But those requirements can be hard to understand if you have never applied to a government job. We are here to help!

In this section, we will show you how to read a job posting, identify a duty statement and determine if a position is right for you.
After you search and filter positions on CalCareers, it is important to review your results. Select “View Job Posting” to learn more information about a specific role.

Pro tip
If you found a job that interests you, consider comparing that job posting with the tips and tricks on this page!

What is a job posting?

A job posting refers to all the information about a specific role posted on CalCareers. The best way to think about a job posting is that it’s an overview of a position and provides a high-level perspective. Most job postings include a brief description of the role, information about location and pay, the department mission, exam and application requirements, as well as contact information for inquiries about the position.

What is a duty statement?

A duty statement is a detailed description of all the responsibilities associated with a specific job. You can also view a breakdown of the percentage of time you should expect to spend on certain tasks. A link to the duty statement can be found within the “Additional Documents” section of the job posting.

Pro tip
To understand if a role is right for you, read the job posting and the duty statement. They will help you understand what the day-to-day job is like.

Step-by-step: How to read a job posting

Now that you know what the purpose of a job posting and duty statement is, let’s break down the job posting so you will understand what to look for and how to determine if the job is right for you.

Step 1: Identify the job title

The job title sits at the top of the job posting. You might also look for the working job title in the posting. Sometimes these titles may differ. The reason you might see a difference is that the working title often provides more context about the role.

Step 4: Review the application information

Thoroughly read the rest of the job posting, scanning for important details such as job location, department information, statement of qualifications and additional instructions.

Step 2: Read the job description and duty statement

The job description provides a high-level view of the role; the duty statement offers greater detail. While job descriptions may vary depending on the job posting, most duty statements follow a standard format.

Step 5: Determine if you want to apply

After considering the role, your skills and your professional goals, decide whether you want to apply. If you choose to apply, then go to the “Apply Now” button at the top of the job posting. If you choose not to apply, that is okay! Your career is up to you!
Applying for jobs can be a lot of work. Reading and understanding a job posting is key to managing your career search and application efforts effectively.

Step 3: Identify exam requirements

Employment exams are a critical component of the hiring process. Before you apply for a role, read the entire job description and minimum requirements section to determine if an exam is needed to apply. If passing an exam is required, it will be stated in the job posting. To sign up for an exam, go to the “Exam Bulletin.”