It’s funny how varied job descriptions can be. Some are what's known in recruiting circles as a "purple squirrel" a ridiculously extensive list of qualifications that very few people can realistically possess. Really? Fluent in three languages, 15+ years of industry experience, huge network, and expertise in Business Development, Marketing, and Financial Planning? Who is this magical person? Related: 3 Job Search Game Changers Others are much shorter, provide a classic breakdown of the role (maybe with a few bullet points) and leave you to fill in the blanks. As a general rule, these shorter job descriptions are a "tell" that a company has an immediate need for a hire, and will quickly respond to great candidates. This means that you should prioritize these types of listings if you're in a time crunch to get hired. The opposite is also true: "purple squirrel" job descriptions are long-shots, and could be a sign that a company is fine with letting things drag out, or simply doesn't have a clear enough understanding of the position that needs to be filled. Either way, to consistently nab attention for either, you need to start breaking job descriptions down into three areas: Must Haves, Preferred, and Good To Have.