In my current position, finding jobs online for JobOpenings.net, I am constantly reading job descriptions on employer websites all over the Internet. The more I read, the more I realize that there is a pattern emerging among many of the announcements of job openings. No matter what other qualifications they want and no matter what salary they expect to pay, most employers want “Super Employees.” What are the characteristics of this super employee everyone wants?

Here is my best list of super employee qualities:

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Able to work independently with little supervision
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Superior written and verbal communication skills
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Excellent work ethic
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Strong decision making skills
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Knowledge of all office equipment and all PC software
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Advanced research abilities
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Advanced analytical abilities
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Impeccable ethical standards
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Flawless credit record
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Perfect health
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The ability to travel anywhere any time and without notice
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The ability to work late any day without advanced notice
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No hint of any kind of drugs (prescription or otherwise) in the past present of future
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Strong leadership skills
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Experience doing the exact job in question
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Well-read and well versed in business and current events
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Actively athletic
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Well-dressed
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Professional
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Good-looking
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Flawless employment record
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Flawless educational record
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Willing to work on commission or for a promise of future profits
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Excited about your business with the ability to contribute profitable ideas

Does that about cover it, Mr. or Ms. Recruiter? I know the list is an exageration and I know employers can’t even mention some of the items on the list. However, does it change the fact that employers tend to have expectations that can easily be called an “impossible dream.”

Has anyone ever met any of these super employees? Of course not, because they don’t exist. OK, if there is no such person or if the job description is so unrealistic that no one could possibly fit the profile, why do employers continue to ask for the impossible?

As an employer, should you persist in asking for the impossible? As a job seeker, how should you handle an employer who seems to have such unrealistic expectation?

http://www.jobopeningsblog.com/jobs/2008/02/super-employees.html