Why read a job-ad when not looking for a job? -

Do you think it is only interesting to scroll through a job-board when you are just looking for a job? If so, your opinion is obsolete. Between the lines you can find a lot of helpful information for your career.

Gain an insight into the sector
Every job-board supports you with information about the whole sector. On the one hand, you can see, which companies are intensively looking for employees. These are probably expanding their staff. Or – if the number of employees constantly remains the same – the company probably has a high rate of emloyee-fluctuation.
Maybe you will note some differences in the recruiting efforts of a company after you have observed it over a certain period. Did the kind of employees they are looking for, change ? Are they looking for more marketing experts? This can mean, they want enter into new markets? But it could also mean, that they got trouble with their current marketing team? In that case it is helpful to read economical news in addition.
Be inspired by the variety
You get an overview over the various job opportunities available for life scientists and what competences each requires. Maybe you will find jobs you never have heard before.
Get ahead of others through appropriate training
When you see the requirements of a specific job you are strongly interested in, you can consider to acquire the particular skills in advance. You can then emphasize those skills in your application. This might be your competitive advantage and can make you stand out from other applicants. Additionally you can develope your personal competences more focused.
Take a glance into the future
To read ads for more experienced cadidates than you are now, will give you an idea, where your career path could lead to. It is like a view in the future. E.g. you currently are a junior qualitiy assurance assistant. In a job-ad of a “Head of Quality Assurance” you will find worthy information about the tasks and duties as well as information about the skills and competences needed. So you can decide now, whether this career path interests you or you should change to an other.
Learn about your value on the job-market
If you find a lot of jobs you could apply for due to your competences, experiences and interests, you can be lucky. When you want to change jobs, you will easily find a next opportunity.