Analyzing the Job Description

Getting a job is not rocket science, but the vast amount of conflicting information published on the internet can make the job hunt confusing.

One of the biggest causes of confusion is the dreaded generic form email saying, “the position was filled,” that applicants receive after they have sent their resume off to a company.

Usually, when I coach a candidate who has a special skill, is qualified, and meets the additional assets for a position, but is still not getting interviews, I know they left critical information off their resume.

Instead of reviewing the resume and making suggestions, I review the jobs they are applying for and get candidates to think about the problem backward. I encourage candidates to scrutinize the job description to determine what the job requirements are and how to craft a resume that highlights their qualifications for that specific position.

Companies include a list of skills they are looking for in each job description. If your resume contains the skills exactly as they are listed in the job description, you are more likely to come up as a match when the company completes a computer scan of your resume.

Consider the following scenario: Your previous job title was clinical data collector, but you are applying for a position as a telephonic utilization management nurse. The company wants someone with utilization and case management experience. Remember, the job has to go through a computer scan and human resources specialists who are probably not nurses, which means they would not recognize your previous position as a position with similar responsibilities based on your job title alone!

You need to tailor your resume to the job description in order to land an interview.

So, before you send in your resume, read the job description carefully and make sure your resume includes the skills the company lists as requirements. Once you understand this basic concept, the job search becomes much easier.

Below is a sample job description. First, look at the job description and break the information into three categories: critical, important, and bonus. To make it easier, I have color-coded a standard job description with red, yellow, and green, respectively.

Red is the information that qualifies you for a position. If your resume is missing this information, you are probably not going to make it to “review” because you would be classified as “unqualified.”

Yellow is information that will place you higher in the interview pile. It is especially important to include these qualifications since companies often receive a large pool of qualified applicants for a position. Not only do you want the company to see you as “qualified,” but you also want them to see you as one of the most highly qualified candidates so that they will offer you an interview.

Green is information that helps to “quantify” or prove your experience and sets you up for a good interview. To get credit for the green statements, you have to explain your accomplishments listed under your jobs.

Let’s continue with the nursing example from above.

Job description

Telephonic Utilization Management Nurse—Telecommute. East Coast hours

There’s an energy and excitement here, a shared mission to improve the lives of others as well as our own. Nursing isn’t for everybody. Instead of seeing a handful of patients each day, your work may affect millions for years to come. Ready for a new path? Start doing your life’s best work.

This is a work at home position with focus on utilization and case management to ensure our members that they are receiving the right care, at the right time, in the right place. Must be able to work east coast hours!

Utilization Management Nurse Responsibilities include:

• Perform utilization management, utilization review, or concurrent review (telephonic inpatient care management)
  • Tell them how and include an accomplishment
• Determine medical appropriateness of inpatient and outpatient services following evaluation of medical guidelines and benefit determination
  • Again, demonstrate how
• Assess and interpret customer needs and requirements
  • Provide an example
• Identify solutions to non-standard requests and problems
  • Provide an example
• Work with minimal guidance; seeks guidance on only the most complex tasks
• Translate concepts into practice
  • This is a good time to take this one step further and talk about  creating a manual
• Provide explanations and information to others on difficult issues
  • Again, example
• Coach, provide feedback, and guide others…training and coaching others…
• Act as a resource for others with less experience
  • How have you already done this?

Qualifications

Requirements:

• Unrestricted RN license required in state of residence
• 3 or more years of Managed Care and/or Clinical experience required
• Basic level of experience with Microsoft Word, with the ability to navigate a Windows environment
• Utilization management experience

Additional Assets Preferred:

• Discharge Management Experience
• Pre-authorization experience
• Case Management experience
• Certified Case Manager (CCM)
• Undergraduate degree

Bottom line, most companies use online talent management gateways that scan resumes and pull qualified candidates’ resumes based on key word searches. Understanding the required information is a BIG step in getting your resume through the first hurdle and into the hands of the interviewer!