Laying the groundwork for a detailed job analysis.

A job analysis is the process through which a job seeker collects information on the duties, responsibilities, necessary skills, growth opportunities, knowledge, and environment and atmosphere relating to a specific job.

A job analysis collects information from a variety of sources and creates a picture of a position that you can use to determine if a job is truly a good fit for you. In order to perform a thorough job analysis, you will need to first identify the job you’d like to learn more about, and then seek out information from publications, online sources, people, and organizations.

At the beginning of your job analysis, you will look for basic information such as: job title, duties, field/profession, qualifications (training, certifications, and required professional experience), salary, and geographic locations (where these jobs are typically available).

Job Descriptions

Job descriptions, usually found in job postings, classified ads, and job boards, are a good entry point to learning about a specific position. A job description is the summary of an organization’s expectation for what the job entails; the major duties involved; the types of skills, special training, certification, or degrees preferred or required to perform the job; the reporting structure; wage information; status (full-time/part-time; temporary/permanent); hours; location; and other important information. Understanding the information contained in job descriptions is a central aspect of job analysis.

The types of tasks, duties, and requirements detailed in a job description can tell you a lot. Jobs that may be considered higher-level skilled positions are usually associated with higher wages and more extensive experience, training, and/or education.

Other Sources of Basic Information

In addition to posted or published job descriptions, there are other resources that provide both basic and detailed information.

Your Resource Log

In section 2.1 you identified several research sources and set up records for the types of information located at or in each. Review your resource log—where do you think you can find information on specific positions?

AFB CareerConnect

AFB CareerConnect can be a great resource for job analysis. You can search for professions within AFB CareerConnect and find detailed career information that will help flesh out your other research. If you go to the “For Job Seekers” section of AFB CareerConnect and select the link for “Tips for Exploring Careers,” you will find multiple methods to search for career information. Often the results of your search will provide detailed career information similar to what you would find in a job description.