The term “Position Desired” is a standard field on nearly all job applications. It serves as an initial filter that helps recruiters and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) quickly categorize your application. Providing a clear, well-considered answer is an opportunity to demonstrate focus and a professional understanding of the role you are seeking. Your response is a fundamental data point used to match your qualifications to the company’s organizational needs.
Defining “Position Desired” on Job Applications
“Position Desired” refers to the specific job title or role an applicant is actively applying for or hopes to secure within the company. When applying for a specific, publicly posted vacancy, use the exact title listed in the job advertisement. If submitting a general application without a specific opening, input the precise title of the role you are qualified for and seeking. This input acts as a primary identifier, ensuring the application is routed to the correct hiring manager or departmental pipeline.
Why Employers Ask This Question
Companies ask for the desired position primarily for organizational efficiency and initial screening of high-volume applications. The field is a powerful sorting mechanism for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which use the specified title as a keyword to match the application against open requisitions. This automated filtering process helps hiring teams manage large applicant pools by quickly moving candidates into the appropriate selection funnel. Employers also gauge the applicant’s focus and intent, as a precise answer signals that the candidate has researched the company and understands where their skills fit within the corporate structure.
How to Answer “Position Desired” Effectively
When responding to a specific job posting, use the exact job title listed in the advertisement to ensure a direct match for ATS screening. If you believe your qualifications exceed the posted title, you can state a precise, slightly more aspirational title that is one rung higher on the career ladder. This demonstrates ambition while remaining realistic about your current skill set and the company’s structure. For general applications without a specific opening, craft a precise title that accurately reflects your current skills and career aspirations.
Focusing on a single, well-defined role is the strongest approach to maintain clarity and professionalism. If you are qualified for multiple roles, limit your entry to closely related titles, such as “Software Developer/Web Programmer,” separated by a slash. This avoids signaling a lack of direction while allowing the application to be considered for similar positions within the same department. Clarity helps the hiring manager understand immediately where you fit.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Specifying Your Desired Role
A major pitfall is providing a generic or non-committal answer, such as “Any position” or “Open to anything.” Recruiters interpret vague responses as a lack of professional focus, suggesting the candidate has not researched the company or aligned their skills with specific opportunities. Similarly, avoid overly broad terms like “Management” or “Marketing,” as these lack the precision needed for effective screening and routing.
Listing a title for which you are clearly unqualified or significantly overqualified is another mistake. An unrealistic title suggests a misunderstanding of the role’s requirements or the industry’s typical career progression. Leaving the “Position Desired” field blank when it is required can result in the application being automatically rejected by the ATS or passed over by a recruiter due to incomplete information.
Distinguishing Position Desired from Other Application Fields
The “Position Desired” field is distinct from other common application questions. While the desired position identifies the role itself, fields like “Salary Expectation” address the applicant’s compensation requirements. Employers use desired salary to determine if a candidate’s expectations align with the position’s budget.
Other fields, such as “Job Type” and “Availability Date,” focus on the terms of employment rather than the role’s duties. Job Type specifies whether the applicant seeks full-time, part-time, or contract work, and Availability Date confirms when the candidate can begin the role. The desired position, by contrast, is entirely focused on the specific job title and the functions the applicant wishes to perform.