{"id":1509,"date":"2024-02-02T22:49:11","date_gmt":"2024-02-02T22:49:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/businesscommunication\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=1509"},"modified":"2024-07-24T21:33:45","modified_gmt":"2024-07-24T21:33:45","slug":"background-youll-need-14","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/businesscommunication\/chapter\/background-youll-need-14\/","title":{"raw":"Module 14: Background You'll Need","rendered":"Module 14: Background You&#8217;ll Need"},"content":{"raw":"<section class=\"textbox learningGoals\">\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Understand the different parts of a job posting<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<h2>Analyzing Job Descriptions<\/h2>\r\n<p>When you start searching for a job, one of the first things you'll encounter is the job description. This is where employers describe what they're looking for in a candidate, including responsibilities and qualifications. It's essential to understand these elements so you can customize your application to meet the employer's needs. Let's break down how to identify and differentiate between the key components of a job description.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"flex-1 overflow-hidden\">\r\n<div class=\"react-scroll-to-bottom--css-ibwrg-79elbk h-full\">\r\n<div class=\"react-scroll-to-bottom--css-ibwrg-1n7m0yu\">\r\n<div class=\"flex flex-col text-sm pb-9\">\r\n<div class=\"w-full text-token-text-primary\" dir=\"auto\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-5\" data-scroll-anchor=\"true\">\r\n<div class=\"px-4 py-2 justify-center text-base md:gap-6 m-auto\">\r\n<div class=\"flex flex-1 text-base mx-auto gap-3 juice:gap-4 juice:md:gap-6 md:px-5 lg:px-1 xl:px-5 md:max-w-3xl lg:max-w-[40rem] xl:max-w-[48rem]\">\r\n<div class=\"relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\">\r\n<div class=\"flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3\">\r\n<div class=\"flex flex-grow flex-col max-w-full\">\r\n<div class=\"min-h-[20px] text-message flex flex-col items-start gap-3 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words [.text-message+&amp;]:mt-5 overflow-x-auto\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"02ef2f8b-935a-4e36-8898-cd7de3b1010b\">\r\n<div class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light\">\r\n<h2>Key Responsibilities<\/h2>\r\n<p>Responsibilities are the tasks and duties you're expected to perform in the role.<\/p>\r\n<section class=\"textbox example\">\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>\r\n<p>In a<strong> Marketing Coordinator <\/strong>position, responsibilities might include developing and implementing marketing campaigns, analyzing data to evaluate campaign effectiveness, and coordinating with the sales team to optimize marketing strategies.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li>\r\n<p>In a<strong> Logistics Specialist <\/strong>role, responsibilities could involve coordinating and monitoring supply chain operations, optimizing transportation routes and loads, ensuring legal compliance, managing warehouse operations, liaising with stakeholders, and solving problems that arise in the logistics process.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<h3>Qualifications<\/h3>\r\n<p>Qualifications are the characteristics the employer believes are necessary to perform the job effectively. These often include:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Skills<\/strong>: These can be [pb_glossary id=\"3271\"]hard skills[\/pb_glossary] (like proficiency in specific software, languages, or technical knowledge) or [pb_glossary id=\"3272\"]soft skills[\/pb_glossary] (like communication, teamwork, or problem-solving abilities).<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Experience<\/strong>: This refers to the kind of professional work background needed, such as \"three years of experience in digital marketing\" or \"experience managing a team.\"<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3>Essential vs. Preferred<\/h3>\r\n<p>Job descriptions typically divide qualifications into \"essential\" and \"preferred.\"<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Essential qualifications<\/strong> are the most important. Sometimes they are referred to as \"required\" or \"minimum\" qualifications. Without them, you might not be considered for the role. They are what the employer thinks are the minimum qualifications needed to perform the job.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Preferred qualifications<\/strong> are additional characteristics that would make you a more competitive candidate but aren't strictly necessary for the job. These might include additional years of experience beyond what are essential, specific skills that could benefit the role, or higher educational qualifications.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3>Practical Application<\/h3>\r\n<p>When reading a job description, start by highlighting or noting all the listed responsibilities and qualifications. Then, categorize them into essential and preferred. This will help you understand:<\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li>What the employer considers crucial for the job.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Where you stand with your current skills and experience.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>How you might tailor your resume and cover letter to align with the job\u2019s needs.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p>By distinguishing between essential and preferred qualifications, you can better assess your fit for the role and prioritize which aspects of your background to emphasize in your application.<\/p>\r\n<section class=\"textbox proTip\">\r\n<h3>The Confidence Gap<\/h3>\r\n<p>When reviewing job descriptions, it's common to see a list of qualifications that can seem intimidating. It's important to remember that you don't necessarily need to meet every single qualification to apply for a job.<\/p>\r\n<p>Studies have shown that women often hesitate to apply for jobs unless they meet all the listed qualifications, whereas men are more likely to apply even if they only meet some of the qualifications.[footnote]LinkedIn. \u201cNo More Excuses: It\u2019s Time to Close the Gender Application Gap,\u201d May 18, 2023. https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/more-excuses-its-time-close-gender-application-gap-testgorilla\/[\/footnote] It's worth noting that many employers consider a candidate's potential to grow into the role and are willing to provide training for the right person.<\/p>\r\n<p>So, if a job excites you and you meet a substantial portion of the criteria, consider applying! Highlight your most relevant experiences and skills, and express your willingness and capacity to learn. This approach can demonstrate your enthusiasm and adaptability, making you a competitive candidate even if you don't check every box.<\/p>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"<section class=\"textbox learningGoals\">\n<ul>\n<li>Understand the different parts of a job posting<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<h2>Analyzing Job Descriptions<\/h2>\n<p>When you start searching for a job, one of the first things you&#8217;ll encounter is the job description. This is where employers describe what they&#8217;re looking for in a candidate, including responsibilities and qualifications. It&#8217;s essential to understand these elements so you can customize your application to meet the employer&#8217;s needs. Let&#8217;s break down how to identify and differentiate between the key components of a job description.<\/p>\n<div class=\"flex-1 overflow-hidden\">\n<div class=\"react-scroll-to-bottom--css-ibwrg-79elbk h-full\">\n<div class=\"react-scroll-to-bottom--css-ibwrg-1n7m0yu\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col text-sm pb-9\">\n<div class=\"w-full text-token-text-primary\" dir=\"auto\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-5\" data-scroll-anchor=\"true\">\n<div class=\"px-4 py-2 justify-center text-base md:gap-6 m-auto\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-1 text-base mx-auto gap-3 juice:gap-4 juice:md:gap-6 md:px-5 lg:px-1 xl:px-5 md:max-w-3xl lg:max-w-[40rem] xl:max-w-[48rem]\">\n<div class=\"relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\">\n<div class=\"flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-grow flex-col max-w-full\">\n<div class=\"min-h-[20px] text-message flex flex-col items-start gap-3 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words [.text-message+&amp;]:mt-5 overflow-x-auto\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"02ef2f8b-935a-4e36-8898-cd7de3b1010b\">\n<div class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light\">\n<h2>Key Responsibilities<\/h2>\n<p>Responsibilities are the tasks and duties you&#8217;re expected to perform in the role.<\/p>\n<section class=\"textbox example\">\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p>In a<strong> Marketing Coordinator <\/strong>position, responsibilities might include developing and implementing marketing campaigns, analyzing data to evaluate campaign effectiveness, and coordinating with the sales team to optimize marketing strategies.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>In a<strong> Logistics Specialist <\/strong>role, responsibilities could involve coordinating and monitoring supply chain operations, optimizing transportation routes and loads, ensuring legal compliance, managing warehouse operations, liaising with stakeholders, and solving problems that arise in the logistics process.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<h3>Qualifications<\/h3>\n<p>Qualifications are the characteristics the employer believes are necessary to perform the job effectively. These often include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Skills<\/strong>: These can be <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_1509_3271\">hard skills<\/a> (like proficiency in specific software, languages, or technical knowledge) or <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_1509_3272\">soft skills<\/a> (like communication, teamwork, or problem-solving abilities).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Experience<\/strong>: This refers to the kind of professional work background needed, such as &#8220;three years of experience in digital marketing&#8221; or &#8220;experience managing a team.&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Essential vs. Preferred<\/h3>\n<p>Job descriptions typically divide qualifications into &#8220;essential&#8221; and &#8220;preferred.&#8221;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Essential qualifications<\/strong> are the most important. Sometimes they are referred to as &#8220;required&#8221; or &#8220;minimum&#8221; qualifications. Without them, you might not be considered for the role. They are what the employer thinks are the minimum qualifications needed to perform the job.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Preferred qualifications<\/strong> are additional characteristics that would make you a more competitive candidate but aren&#8217;t strictly necessary for the job. These might include additional years of experience beyond what are essential, specific skills that could benefit the role, or higher educational qualifications.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Practical Application<\/h3>\n<p>When reading a job description, start by highlighting or noting all the listed responsibilities and qualifications. Then, categorize them into essential and preferred. This will help you understand:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>What the employer considers crucial for the job.<\/li>\n<li>Where you stand with your current skills and experience.<\/li>\n<li>How you might tailor your resume and cover letter to align with the job\u2019s needs.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>By distinguishing between essential and preferred qualifications, you can better assess your fit for the role and prioritize which aspects of your background to emphasize in your application.<\/p>\n<section class=\"textbox proTip\">\n<h3>The Confidence Gap<\/h3>\n<p>When reviewing job descriptions, it&#8217;s common to see a list of qualifications that can seem intimidating. It&#8217;s important to remember that you don&#8217;t necessarily need to meet every single qualification to apply for a job.<\/p>\n<p>Studies have shown that women often hesitate to apply for jobs unless they meet all the listed qualifications, whereas men are more likely to apply even if they only meet some of the qualifications.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"LinkedIn. \u201cNo More Excuses: It\u2019s Time to Close the Gender Application Gap,\u201d May 18, 2023. https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/more-excuses-its-time-close-gender-application-gap-testgorilla\/\" id=\"return-footnote-1509-1\" href=\"#footnote-1509-1\" aria-label=\"Footnote 1\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[1]<\/sup><\/a> It&#8217;s worth noting that many employers consider a candidate&#8217;s potential to grow into the role and are willing to provide training for the right person.<\/p>\n<p>So, if a job excites you and you meet a substantial portion of the criteria, consider applying! Highlight your most relevant experiences and skills, and express your willingness and capacity to learn. This approach can demonstrate your enthusiasm and adaptability, making you a competitive candidate even if you don&#8217;t check every box.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr class=\"before-footnotes clear\" \/><div class=\"footnotes\"><ol><li id=\"footnote-1509-1\">LinkedIn. \u201cNo More Excuses: It\u2019s Time to Close the Gender Application Gap,\u201d May 18, 2023. https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/more-excuses-its-time-close-gender-application-gap-testgorilla\/ <a href=\"#return-footnote-1509-1\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 1\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div><div class=\"glossary\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\" id=\"definition\">definition<\/span><template id=\"term_1509_3271\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_1509_3271\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>Hard skills are job-related skills that you acquire through education or experience. These kinds of skills can be measured and defined. They are useful for certain jobs but not necessarily all jobs.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_1509_3272\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_1509_3272\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>Soft skills are personal attributes or character traits that can help you at any job.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><\/div>","protected":false},"author":23,"menu_order":2,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"pd\",\"description\":\"Adapted from material created using ChatGPT\",\"author\":\"Lumen Learning\",\"organization\":\"OpenAI\",\"url\":\"\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"pd\",\"license_terms\":\"\"}]","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"part":587,"module-header":"background_you_need","content_attributions":[{"type":"pd","description":"Adapted from material created using ChatGPT","author":"Lumen Learning","organization":"OpenAI","url":"","project":"","license":"pd","license_terms":""}],"internal_book_links":[],"video_content":null,"cc_video_embed_content":{"cc_scripts":"","media_targets":[]},"try_it_collection":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/businesscommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/1509"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/businesscommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/businesscommunication\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/businesscommunication\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/businesscommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/1509\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4368,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/businesscommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/1509\/revisions\/4368"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/businesscommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/587"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/businesscommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/1509\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/businesscommunication\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1509"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/businesscommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=1509"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/businesscommunication\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=1509"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/businesscommunication\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=1509"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}