Here’s a step-by-step guide to narrow potential career options
Understand the Educational Requirements for the Career
– Many occupations require a certain level of education to be eligible to work in that profession.
– Employers usually include the educational requirements for a job in their descriptive write-up or position advertisement.
Understand the Job Requirements
– Job requirements are the skills, education, experience and traits that an employer expects someone to have to be successful in a job position.
– Common job requirements include work experience, skills, education, professional licenses, specific knowledge, personal traits and attributes, languages and physical ability.
Make a List of the Minimum Requirements Included in the Posting
– Review the job listing carefully, and identify requirements that use “should” or “must” in their phrasing, which often indicates the employer is requiring them.
– Create a checklist of keywords that reveal the minimum level of experience, type of experience, training qualifications and education.
Determine the Preferred Requirements
– Depending on the structure of the job listing, you may be able to find some qualifications the employer would like to have in a candidate but are not requiring them.
– Some listings may use “or” when listing preferred requirements such as optional types of experience and education.
Identify the Ideal Character Traits
– Though an employee’s personality is very important, consider placing these elements in the third level of your qualifications checklist.
– This can help you first focus on the job-specific requirements when creating your resume and cover letter.
Compare the Minimum Requirements to Your Qualifications
– Mark which requirements on the list you meet, and which ones you don’t.
– Make a plan to gain the qualifications you don’t meet.
