Job Posting Analysis
Probably nothing is as important in the job search as matching the information in the district job posting to the skills and abilities a person possesses. Each individual piece of the job description must be looked at to evaluate exactly what is being asked for. Each job posting usually include 6 parts. They are:
HEADING: - information related to the specific job, i.e. grade, salary, location, etc. and most importantly the posting number, opening and closing dates.
JOB SUMMARY - an overview of the job including all of the tasks or skills needed to be successful in the position. Some of the skills will be needed prior to the interview and some will be learned on the job. The more of these skills possessed the better the chance of obtaining the job.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS - these are the fundamental or most basic job duties/tasks of the position. An applicant must be able to perform these tasks to qualify for the position, with or without accommodations for a disability.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Most important section! Must be possessed or satisfied and must be listed in resume, application and/or cover letter. The listed requirements, such as education, employment experience, skills or licenses must be addressed to be eligible for an interview.
DESIRED EXPERIENCE - this will be a list of characteristics the hiring manager and/or committee will rate highly when all of the other qualifying components have been satisfied. These will not be mandatory to the job but an applicant who possesses the required minimum qualifications and also possesses the desired experience will be a stronger candidate than the applicant without the desired experience.
SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS - will be the area in the posting that will define additional working time, places, or any other issues outside of the "normal" working conditions.
ANALYSIS OF THE POSTING:
When evaluating the job posting to skills fit, make lists of the information presented in the posting then match your skills, abilities and experience to them.
An example, a posting for an Admissions and Records Technician-I, the JOB SUMMARY information can be listed as follows:
Clerical tasks
- Records preparation
- Correspondence
- (implied knowledge of)
- registration
- enrollment
- transcripts
- course description
- schedules
- grade point averages
- policy and procedures (of Admissions and Records)
- registering students
- schedule adjustments
- transcripts
- record maintenance
It's not expected for an applicant to know all of the tasks listed in the summary. It is expected an applicant will learn the tasks not proficient in, if selected for the job. However, the job candidate who does possess all of these skills is the stronger candidate.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS the abilities listed for the Admissions and Records Technician I are the ability to:
- Provide information (verbal)
- Assist students on phone (verbal, auditory, and telephone abilities)
- Assist student at the counter (verbal and auditory)
- Perform on-line registration (computer abilities)
MINIMUM QUALIFICATONS section includes the following requirements to be considered eligible for the position:
- Knowledge of Admissions and Records policies and procedures
- Customer service experience
- Knowledge of standard office practices
- Computer/keyboard experience
DESIRED EXPERIENCE includes:
- Communication with diverse populations
- Ability to maintain confidentiality
- Admissions and Records experience
SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS include:
- Evening/weekend hours depending on departmental needs
- Long periods of time viewing a computer screen
After listing the information in the sections begin a list the specific skills, abilities and experience possessed beside of the required areas. Make a side by side comparison list. This will aid in several ways.
- Be sure the applicant is qualified for the position
- Applicant will be able to write a resume and cover letter reflecting the specific requirements of the posting.
- During the interview the lists can be used to discuss background, experience and how they will benefit the position.
