Job Ad Analysis

Before you decide on a job ad, make sure that it provides you with sufficient information about the ideal candidate for the company or organization. A primary objective of this assignment is to tailor your employment documents to the specific needs of the employer. If your ad does not give you sufficient information about your potential employer’s needs, the objective of the project is defeated before you have even begun. If you are uncertain whether or not your job ad is appropriate, do not hesitate to ask.

For this assignment, you must have a keen awareness of what your potential employer needs in an applicant, and you must create a professional identity that proves you can fulfill and exceed these expectations.

Some answers require a paragraph of 4-6 sentences while others require a short answer or a list. The short answer will be a sentence or two. The list will be a list of keywords or terms. See parentheses after each question to know if you should respond with a paragraph, short answer, or list. Ultimately, these paragraphs will make it easier to draft and complete your job application letter, as well as your resume.

Reflection

1. Why did you choose this job ad? Do you feel that you are qualified for the position? (paragraph)

2. How long has the ad been posted? If it has been posted for a long period of time, are you sure that the position is still available? How? (short answer)

3. Where is the company located? Are you willing to move if it is out of state or in a foreign country? (short answer)

4. Why is living in the area that the company is located appealing to you? (paragraph)

Job Ad Analysis

1. What skills is your prospective employer seeking, from most important to least important? (list)

2. What exceptional skills do you have that prove you to be
invaluable to this company or organization? Remember that your resume is not a record of what you’ve done, but a persuasive document that proves indisputably that you are the best person for the job. (list)

3. As an exercise, list the skills, professional experience, personality traits, etc., the job ad is asking for in the left column, and in the right, write paragraphs that elaborate on and illustrate your skills, experience, etc.

History of the Company / Organization

1. Did you know anything about the company before you saw the job ad? (short answer)

2. Does the company have a website? What is the URL? (short answer)

3. What is the mission statement of the company? (paragraph)

4. What are keywords on the website that you can use in your cover letter and interview? (list)

5. Write a few sentences about the history of the company. Remember that it is essential for you to learn as much about the company as possible; you can use such knowledge for your cover letter and interview. (paragraph)

6. Based on your research, what is your personal sense about the company? What do you feel the company values? (paragraph)

7. Does Purdue’s Center for Career Opportunities have a networking system with this company? (short answer)

8. Do you have any personal connections to this company? Do you know anyone who works there? Does anyone in your family or friends of your family work there? (short answer)