Analyzing a Job Description

Next you need to analyze the job description in a similar way.

Keep in mind, however, that job descriptions are often very general, describing more than one position.

Any additional knowledge you may have or surmise about the position is also helpful in this exercise.

As we did before, identify the key skills and knowledge sets in the following job description.

The successful candidate will possess several years experience managing vendors and creating sourcing strategy and policies. This position will supervise a staff of 4 people, manage project budgets in excess of $12 million, and concurrently manage up to 12 projects. Coordination of projects in a multifunctional team environment is important. Knowledge of SAP or other ERP systems is desirable. This position also consults with aerospace clients on systems needs-determination and negotiates contracts. Assignment: Using the same Microsft Word document you opened earlier, you may do this exercise for a position of your choosing. You may find a sample job description on any major Internet job board, like HotJobs.com, Monster.com, or CareerBuilder.com. Just keyword search for “MBA” in the funcational area (finance, marketing, etc.) of your choosing. This will be helpful in constructing a cover letter for the mock interview process, part of your Business Communications class at The Broad School.

Skills Vendor management Strategic Planning Sourcing Strategy Negotiation Supervision Budgeting Project Management Teamwork Consulting Needs determination Business-to-business relationships Knowledge ERP Systems Aerospace Industry Multifunctional Coordination Customer Service

Finding the Matches – From the Two Lists Just Created

From the Resume	What They Have In Common	From the Job Description
Skills Strategic planning Budgeting Negotiation Consulting Supervision Marketing Business-to-business relationships Business-to-consumer relationshipsKnowledge Technology Organizational Design Position Creation Customer Service Aerospace Industry Multifunctional	Skills Strategic Planning Budgeting Negotiation Consulting Supervision Business-to-Business relationshipsKnowledge Technology Aerospace Multifunctional Customer Service	Skills Vendor management Strategic Planning Sourcing Strategy Negotiation Supervision Budgeting Project Management Teamwork Consulting Business-to-Business relationshipsKnowledge ERP Systems Aerospace Industry Multifunctional Knowledge Customer Service

Prioritizing the Matches

In CommonSkills Strategic Planning Budgeting Negotiation Consulting Supervision Business-to-Business relationships Knowledge Technology Aerospace Multifunctional Customer Service

Including all ten items at right in a cover letter is too much.

You want to focus on the top 3 to 5, emphasizing skills over knowledge.

So, you need to prioritize them based on your judgment of what the job requires and your relative strengths in each area.

A sample prioritization is:

• Strategic Planning
• Consulting
• Aerospace
• Negotiation

Assignment: By now you have completed both an analysis of your resume and a sample job for the mock interview process. Take a moment to find the common knowledge and skills between the two and prioritize them.