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(RESUME 2) Reading A Job Posting

This document provides guidance on how to effectively read and analyze a job posting. It advises highlighting keywords related to required knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) and providing concrete examples from one's background that demonstrate how they match these KSAs. The worksheet can be used to record the identified KSAs and examples. Career services assistance is available for resume and cover letter writing.

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Hannah Doyle
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150 views2 pages

(RESUME 2) Reading A Job Posting

This document provides guidance on how to effectively read and analyze a job posting. It advises highlighting keywords related to required knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) and providing concrete examples from one's background that demonstrate how they match these KSAs. The worksheet can be used to record the identified KSAs and examples. Career services assistance is available for resume and cover letter writing.

Uploaded by

Hannah Doyle
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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How to Read a

JOB POSTING
A guide and worksheet brought to you by KPU Career Services

What should you be reading in a job posting?


 Employers screen your resume and cover letter for key words/phrases used in their job posting
 Your documents are more likely to make it to the YES pile if you include their key words/phrases
 The job posting includes information about the required/preferred knowledge, skills, and abilities
(KSAs) which are the key words/phrases that employers screen for
 Your resume and cover letter are not all about you, but rather about how your KSAs match what the
employer is looking for

How do you read the job posting effectively?


The following strategies below can be used to find the key elements in the job posting and fine tune them to
your resume and cover letter:

Highlight key words


Highlight all the required/preferred KSAs – especially take note of repeated words used throughout the job
description, both hard and soft skills.

Write examples
For each of the KSAs highlighted, write an example of how you have demonstrated it through your past
employment or school. This is your chance to tell your story and inspire the employer to meet you. Keep a
copy of these examples as it will help you prepare for your interview. Try to match any relevant examples
that fit well together to save on space. Keep them simple.

Consider related skills


If there are skills you have developed that are noteworthy, but are not mentioned in the job advertisement,
consider adding them if they will enhance your chance of getting an interview. Ensure they are relevant to
the position you are applying for.

Research the employer


Research the employer beyond the job description to show your interest in the company (mention this in your
cover letter), and to bring up in conversation in a potential interview. Employers want to hire someone who
wants to work for them, so write knowledgably. Do not copy and paste anything from their website.

Keep a record
Keep track a detailed list (date, action, contact, etc) of the job descriptions you have applied for to help you
prepare for the interview.

Use the worksheet on the back page to help you get started with reading a job posting.

Reading a Job Posting Handout Page 1 of 2


Reading a Job Posting Worksheet

Job title: ___________________________________ Employer: ___________________________________


Job type (full-time, part-time, volunteer, temporary, etc): ____________________________________________

In the boxes below, input the KSAs you have highlighted in the job description and then provide examples of
how you have demonstrated it through past employment or at school.

Required KSAs How have you demonstrated this?

Need help?
Career Services offers students FREE resume and cover letter building workshops and peer-to-peer reviewing.
Go to www.kpu.ca/careers/peer2peer for dates and times or book a one-on-one appointment through Advisor
Connect.
Contact us at [email protected] or 604.599.2465

Reading a Job Posting Handout Page 2 of 2

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