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July 4, 2016 Leave a Comment

Ask the Employment Specialist: Behind the scenes of creating a job posting

Dear employment specialist2Dear Joanna,

The job descriptions that I have been applying to for a Business Analyst position in IT are so confusing to me. The list of qualifications, skills, requirements and “must-haves” for some of seems like these jobs are impossible for any human being to fulfill or perhaps the recruiters have someone in mind already?

Can you explain to me how the recruiters write these job descriptions?

Signed: Confused BA (CBA)


Dear CBA,

The process of crafting a job posting is best described by expert ‘diversity and inclusion’ and recruitment leader, Anita Sampson Binder, who is Vice President of Recruitment Strategy and Delivery at ARES Staffing Solutions, a leading IT and technical recruitment firm. She applies four steps in the process when working with the hiring manager (her “client”) to develop the content of the position:

[Read more…]

By Karin Lewis Filed Under: Career Voice: Blog Tagged With: Applicant Tracking System, ATS, Business Analyst, HR, HR Agencies, Human resources, job postings, job search, skills

April 4, 2016 Leave a Comment

Ask the Employment Specialist: How to “decrypt” a job posting

man conducting a job search onlineDear Joanna,

I found my dream job online. It is a job posting for a Sharepoint Developer. The job description is complicated, although I am positive that I meet at least 90 percent of the qualifications. How do I prepare a resume that will stand out and help me to get that interview?

Signed: Stand Out (SO)


Dear SO,

Before submitting your application, the first step in the process is to delve into a deep analysis of the job description. The best advice comes from Michelle Edmunds, founder/job search coach from Focus Industry Inc., and Employment/Outreach Coordinator at Ryerson University’s The Chang School, who recommends the following:

1. Understand the job posting.

Job seekers need to analyze the job description in detail, in order to grasp what the employer is looking for, and to prepare a resume and social media profile that could land them an interview. Read the posting like you would an assignment given to you by your boss. Remember, the more you understand something, the more confident you feel, the better you sound.

2. Break down the role.

Read and analyze the posting beyond just the qualifications and requirements. Highlight key words and responsibilities (especially the ones you are not sure about). Job postings usually tell the applicant what you will be doing in a specific role. If you send a general resume that does not directly address the posting, the employer will not be able to understand how you fit the role.

3. Fierce competition.

Applying for most jobs is like entering into a competition. Job seekers must create an outstanding resume that is customized to the job posting, so the employer who is reading the document feels confident that they could be a match.

You can do this by demonstrating your relevant skills, experience and education (if required) in a clear, articulate way in the “highlights” of the resume. It will be evident to the employer, after a two-second glance at the resume, if there is a potential fit for the position or not.

4. The Match Percentage.

Some counsellors suggest that you need to meet 70 percent of the qualifications; others argue 90 percent. Edmunds suggests that a 90% match isn’t necessarily good thing if you lack 10 percent of the requirements either, because this is impossible to learn quickly or at all.

It all depends on which skills you lack. For example, maybe you match 90% of the skills the posting asks for, but you don’t have the latest software knowledge, this might mean the employer will have to train you, which might not be feasible.

5. Research.

Before considering writing a resume, research the company. Read other job postings on the company’s web site and the “About Us” section, to get a better idea of the company’s work, accomplishments and projects. Research what you don’t know (acronyms, industry terminologies, software).

The bottom line is that you need to keep in mind that you simply cannot produce a customized resume without a full understanding of the job posting.

Joanna

By Donna Chabot Filed Under: Career Voice: Blog Tagged With: find work, job postings, job search, matching, resume, resume writing

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