How to Analyze Job Postings
Before tailoring your resume, you need to decode what the employer really wants.
Step-by-Step Analysis
- Read the entire posting twice
- Highlight requirements - both required and preferred
- Note repeated terms - these are priorities
- Identify the must-haves vs nice-to-haves
- Research the company for culture keywords
Create a Match List
Create two columns:
Job Requirement | My Experience
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Project Management | Led 12 projects at Company X
5+ years experience | 7 years in the field
Agile methodology | Scrum Master certifiedPriority Order
Requirements listed first in a job posting are usually most important. Make sure these appear prominently in your resume.
Pro Tip: If you don't meet at least 60% of the requirements, consider whether the job is right for you.