How To Match Your Qualifications To a Job Description

Sometimes you see a job post, and you know right away that you are qualified for that job. You have the right experience, training, and academic qualifications needed for this job. How do you then go about the application process? How do you convince the recruiters that you are fit for this job?

One of the hardest aspects of job seeking and job application is knowing how to match your qualifications to the job requirements. Failure to interpret your qualifications and relate them to the job requirements could make you lose out on a job you are qualified for to a candidate that is not even as qualified as you are.

Job descriptions are written to portray the tasks, duties, and responsibilities required of an employee. Thus, you should align your skills and strengths to match the job description. It is your responsibility to make your pitch. Find the connection between your skills and what the employer is searching for. Here we would be giving you suggestions on how to match your qualifications with your job requirements.

• Do your homework & research

Job postings mostly come in three sections- company information, qualifications needed, and the job role or job descriptions. Job seekers tend to skip these parts to jump at the button that says ‘Apply here’. Do not skip the job requirement part; it is of benefit to you.

Some job ads, however, do not provide extensive information about the company and the job requirements. It is up to you to find out more about these. You can search the company website, especially in the human resources section for more descriptions. You can also extend your search to Google and other job sites to see more of the description for related jobs. In this way, you gain more insight into what hiring companies want and what is required of the job.

• Make a list of your skills

Write down a general list of the skills you have. If you are finding it difficult to come up with skill, you can browse to get a list of general skills employers usually look out for. Also, check for skills that are specific to your occupation and the position you are applying for. Now, include those skills in your resume in the order of their relevance.

• Seek advice

If you really need to land that dream job of yours, then it wouldn’t hurt to seek answers from people that know better than you. If you have professionals in that field you can ask them what their job requires. Reach out to family friends, seniors, and your college alumni to get possible suggestions and advice.

• Ensure that your skills are applicable

Don’t just pack in irrelevancies into your resume. Make sure the list you generate is in line with the job post. Some companies now use a technology called the Applicant Tracking System to scan through your resumes. What this technology does is basically to search your resume for keywords relevant to the job position you are applying for. If they don’t see relevant matches, your CV may be rejected. If it is an administrative position, then focus on the administrative skills you have to avoid a case of your CV or resume being rejected.

• The job description is your clue

Make the job description your friend and think of it as a scheme full of clues. To help you come up with the perfect resume and finetune it until you have only the major skills and qualifications required left on it. Change the keywords and scan the job introduction for even more clues. Check your list once again to assess if the skills you listed are relevant. Make sure you have included as much suitable skills and qualifications as possible.

• Make a match between your qualifications and the job requirement

Once you have written down a general list of your qualifications for the job, you should assess each of the items on the list. Think of a way to prove to the hiring manager that you possess such skills. Write one or two sentences on each of the qualification explaining how you have put such skill into use in the past. It doesn’t really matter where you used the skill. It could be in school, extra-curricular activities or even in volunteer services. What matters is that you once applied such skill in a reasonable project.

Point out the positive results you got out of using such skills.

• It is helpful to use verbs

Verbs show action. It is an indication that you actually performed some actions. When entering your skills, you can put down things like,

• “I created a Software App to manage company inventories.”
• “At my previous job, I successfully organized and launched three projects for the homeless in my community.”
• “I lead a team of 7 members to write and place several articles on different media outlets.”

• Another way is to place the requirements side by side your skills in a tabular form

Another approach you can take is to create a table listing the requirements that were published in the job post in one column, then the skills you possess that match them in the next column. This is a concise and straight- forward way of matching your qualifications to the job. It doesn’t sound so narrative, but at a glance, it would give the readers the answer they are looking for. Take your time to write down all the possible ways you meet the job requirements, give examples of achievements as well.

• Put your qualifications first in your cover letter

The sentences that point towards your qualifications should be eye-catching. The statement at the beginning of your cover letter should be strong and should be making references to the qualities you possess that makes you better qualified for the job.

• Get your resume revamped

If you have not updated your resume, then it is time to get it done. Review the length of the resume and remove the irrelevant details. Write the resume in such a way that it targets that particular job and incorporate statements relating to the job qualifications.

Job Interview Topics – Common Job Interview Questions & Answers

Below you can find a list of common job interview topics. Each link will direct you to an article regarding the specific topics that discuss commonly asked interview questions. Furthermore, each article discusses why the interviewer asks these questions and how you answer them!

1. Accomplishments
2. Adaptability
3. Admission
4. Behavioral
5. Career Change
6. Career Goals
7. Communication
8. Competency
9. Conflict Resolution
10. Creative Thinking
11. Cultural Fit
12. Customer Service
13. Direct
14. Experience
15. Government
16. Graduate
17. Growth Potential
18. Honesty & Integrity
19. Illegal
20. Inappropriate
21. Job Satisfaction
22. Leadership
23. Management
24. Entry-Level & No experience
25. Performance-Based
26. Personal
27. Prioritization & Time Management
28. Problem-solving
29. Salary
30. Situational & Scenario-based
31. Stress Management
32. Teamwork
33. Telephone Interview
34. Tough
35. Uncomfortable
36. Work Ethic