Understanding Job Analysis - Research Paper Example

? Understanding Job Analysis al Affiliation Understanding Job Analysis Question How easy was it to find the specific occupation you were looking for, and how comprehensive was the information provided about the occupation? O*NET Online presents a number of means by which a person can search information about a job. The quickest, and what can also be considered as the most clear-cut is through the search box. A user can type in the related keywords, or if possible, the applicable job title, and hit enter to see the results. Selecting from among the options displayed should not be difficult since these are arranged by degree of relevance. On the other hand, jobs are grouped according to specific categories such as skill requirement, products and services offered, matching credentials, among other data that makes sense. Some users are on the purpose of identifying the jobs that fall under a specific description, and the other three search tools enable O*NET to accommodate this need. One search field centers on job classes, the other on job specification and description, and the last on specialized skills that do not belong to any of the first two groupings. Those are shown alphabetically for fast tracking, with their degree of relevance shown alongside. When the term “health information management supervisor” was keyed in the quick search box, the job title that appeared to be most relevant was Medical and Health Services Manager followed by Medical Records and Information Technician. The top answers did not seem to exactly associate with the occupation searched for, although these were indeed the most relevant compared to the others in the list which were mostly educator and counselor positions that should be involved in providing information—not managing it. Nevertheless, O*NET Online offers users a bird’s eye view of what a job entails. The main tasks are specified, including the tools, technology, and talent obligatory in its performance. In this case, applicants will have a clear picture of what is in store for them upon employment and know beforehand whether they are qualified for the job. While users will be content at knowing the job responsibilities and basic qualifications, O*NET Online is packed with information that answers almost any question that you can think of about a particular job. Question 2: What did you think of the occupations O*NET suggested as matching your skills? Was the occupation you are in or preparing among those listed? As previously mentioned, O*NET Online features different sets of search menus. Users can select from among the list of occupational category and information, and all jobs with specific relevance will be displayed in alphabetical order. Should users opt to search jobs by skills required, they can use the Advanced Search menu and highlight skills. One good thing about O*NET Online is that there is no way users will misconstrue any of the terms used. For example, the term “basic skills” is not only presented a connotation, but is also detailed out. The said term can easily be distinguished as fundamental proficiencies that all individuals must possess in order to be deemed as ready to hold a job, but then the website does not seem to allow any sort of misinterpretations; thus laying out its exact specifications. In addition, the level of requirement of each skill is provided, so users can instantly determine how much of a certain skill is required for the position searched for. When resource management skill was picked, and under that, management of material resources was highlighted, the title Medical and Health Services Manager was among the jobs that appeared as relevant. Majority of those jobs were at the managerial or supervisory level. But because the job searched for involves management of information which should be held as a material resource, it was expected that the level of relevance would be as much as 80% or higher; but it turned out to be only 50%. Although the site gives comprehensive information about a certain job, the skill and job relationship was not found to be completely accurate. O*NET Online (2011) defines management of material resources as “obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities and materials needed to do certain work, but then information should be included owing to the fact that the performance of a job requires information. Although information is not tangible, at least the tools that contain the information should be mentioned. Question 3: How could O*NET be useful in conducting a job analysis? Explain specifically how you would use the data from this site.  Caruth, Caruth, and Pane (2009) defines job analysis as the “process of collecting, interpreting, and reporting pertinent facts about the nature of a specific job” (p. 96). The process, according to them, involves identification of the main functions, proficiencies, experience, and other factors necessary for the effective performance of a job. O*NET Online serves as a resource of comprehensive information about a specific job, and not just the rudimentary job descriptions that are usually found in job postings and classified ads. The website presents a model of what forms a job, from the outermost layer to the core. From this were developed the different categories of data that broadly defines the job; all the tools, concrete and conceptual, necessary to its execution; and all pursuits, people, and prowess that the workforce will, in one way or the other come upon throughout its employment. In this view, the website is an excellent help when conducting job analysis. The data presented by O*NET Online is useful in many ways. It offers significance not just to one type of users, but to almost anyone of legal age as specified in the labor code. Those in search for employment can use the information to personally assess themselves, and determine whether they can comply with the demands of the job. It also helps prepare applicants for how their life in the workplace would appear to be, and what they can do to advance in their chosen career. For human resources manager, this can assist in outlining job descriptions and specifications, and in formulating the questions to ask applicants during the job interview. This should also make selecting test types and questionnaires for recruitment easy. In addition, the information can be used to draft employment contracts that job applicants sign up for upon appointment. As is generally known, employment contracts does not just formalize an employment, but directs employees of what their job entails. There are employees, especially those that are members of a labor union, that protests against tasks outside their ordinary day to day schedule, and an expansive job description in the contract should resolve the confusion. Question 4: As a director of human resources, would you have your staff use this site? Why or why not?  Directors of human resources should recommend the site to their staff for reference, but not to copy its content. There seems to be no site, other than O*NET Online, that offers the same scope of information relating to specific occupations. It does not require a technical person to navigate and do searches within the site, thus is applicable to all regardless of computer skill. The terms used are easily understandable, and because almost all are given a connotation, users will not have to make assumptions nor use other materials for a hint. Also, because it is typical of every human resources director to require that all employees are completely familiar with their duties and responsibilities, and acquire more knowledge about their job for improved performance, O*NET Online is an excellent guide. O*NET Online is an affiliate of the Department of Labor, thus basically conveys information that meets the terms of the government. Even private companies will have to conform to the conditions set forth by the Department of Labor—secure licenses and pay due taxes. On the other hand, there should be some discretions applied on the use of the website. Organizations, corporate and government, do not always have the same notion about terms and issues relating to occupations. To reiterate, information in O*NET Online should merely act as guides, otherwise, offices will not have job descriptions and specifications, policies, recruitment processes, etc. specific to their needs. Also, during the evaluation of the website, it was found that some fields do not seem to generate the most applicable results. For example, when the term Investigative, under Interest, was highlighted in the Advanced Search Menu, the job titles that appeared as most relevant were Mining machine operators, Derrick operators, oil, and gas, and Logging equipment operators. Although these jobs do entail a handful of investigative activities, it does not compare to the extent required of CSI agents, detectives, and police inspectors; and surprisingly, these were not even included in the initial list. This is one shortcoming of the website, or perhaps it just follows a separate standard in labeling “investigative”. References Caruth, D.L., Caruth, G.D., and Pane, S.S. (2009). A Guide to Planning, Recruiting, and Selecting for Human Resource Professionals. Westport: Praeger Publishers. O*NET Online. (2011). Advanced Search. Retrieved September 16, 2011, from http://www.onetonline.org/. Read More