There are several ways of finding out what’s needed in a job, and the more
familiar you become with these requirements, the better. Knowledge is power,
especially when you are applying for jobs. You can get all the information you
need from:
● job advertisements;
● job specifications and descriptions;
● your own knowledge and experience;
● the knowledge and experience of others.
Job advertisements
A well-written job posting will tell you the skills, qualifications and experience
needed for the job. Look at a variety of postings for the sort of job you want,
online or in newspapers or journals. By studying a number of them, you will get
a clearer idea of the standard requirements, and the range of skills and experience required. You will also notice things that are out of the ordinary, and see
where your own unique skills and experience can be of use. Look at as many as
possible. As you are not at this stage actually applying for them, practical considerations need not count:
● Do a country-wide internet search, don’t just stick to your local area.
● If the site will let you, go back through previous postings.
● Look at company websites ‘Careers with us’ pages.
● Look at job and recruitment sites.
Pick out the significant features. Look for:
● specific skills;
● qualifications and training;
● personal qualities and characteristics;
● knowledge areas;
● areas of experience;
● responsibilities;
● abilities.
Make a list of these key requirements and add any other points. If the ad mentions a company car, for example, assume a full, clean driving licence would be
necessary.
Add to the list as you find out more. Put a mark by characteristics that come
up frequently: they are important qualities desired by a wide range of employers. This way, you can get a clear, well-rounded picture of the job you want. See
page 20 for more advice on job postings.
Job specifications and job descriptions
A job specification is the list of requirements – skills, experience, personal qualities and so on – that define a particular job. It contains much more detail than a
job ad, and advertisements are often based on job specifications. Job descriptions are very similar: the terms are often interchangeable, but job descriptions
sometimes contain more detail about actual duties and responsibilities.
You can ask companies for copies of job specifications or descriptions, and
they can also be accessed from online job search sites and employers’ websites.
As with job postings, go through them picking out the significant features to
build an even more detailed picture of what the job requires.
Your own knowledge and experience
If you are already doing a similar job, you will have a thorough knowledge of the
duties and responsibilities entailed and the skills you need to perform them.
Explore your experience, thinking back over what you have done: your everyday
duties, the challenges you have faced and what you have achieved. Note down
the skills you have developed, and draw up your own job description based on
your own know-how.
The knowledge and experience of others
If the job is new to you – it’s your first job or you are planning a career change –
talk to people who have some knowledge and experience of it. They will be able
to give you lots of information, including the personal angle.
People rarely mind being approached, as long as they have time, and will
often be flattered to be asked for their opinion, especially if you make it clear that
you are asking for information and advice rather than fishing for a job.
By using the methods above, you can build up a clear, well-rounded picture
of what employers are looking for, and what the ideal candidate will have. The
next step is to assess how well you fit the picture.
To find job near you:
Job vacancies in US
Job vacancies in UK
Job vacancies in Canada
Job vacancies in Australia
Job vacancies in Italy
Job vacancies in France
Job vacancies in Spain
Job vacancies in Portugal
Job vacancies in Germany
Job vacancies in Belgium
Job vacancies in India
Job vacancies in Brasil
Job vacancies in South Africa
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