Assignment: Job Analysis Project

Assignment Objectives:

1. Learn the steps of how to conduct a job analysis
2. Understand the value of information obtained from a job analysis
3. Learn when to use various job analysis methods

Purpose:

This assignment will introduce you to the concepts and practices of job analysis while providing an opportunity to see how these concepts are applied to actual jobs. You will learn how to create a job analysis and how to write a job description.

Assignment Description:

Parameters:

This assignment is worth 50 points.

Guidelines:

1. Create a job analysis for a job of your choice that you will work with for the rest of the semester (recommended: choose a job you're interested in as a possible future career). Conduct a job analysis interview: cannot be with yourself, find someone currently in the position who is willing to sit down and talk about their job. During your interview, ask the respondent to describe their job in terms of the tasks they perform and the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (KSAOs) needed to perform the tasks. You should also ask them about the relative amount of time spent on different tasks and the importance of various tasks to their job.

2. Write a 2-3 page paper (not including cover page, references, or appendices) that discusses the process you used to conduct your job analysis and why you chose the method(s) you chose. It must be typewritten and follow APA format (12-point font, double-spaced, standard margins) and include proper references when appropriate.

3. Organize the various parts of your paper with the section headings provided below (headings are identified in bold). You can use the task inventory and knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (KSAO) table templates listed below or create your own.
Format for the Paper:

1. Introduction

• Describe the job and the person you interviewed with a brief summary.

2. Methodology

• Explain the job analysis process and method you used, including questions asked.
• Describe any preparation you did.

3. Task inventory with ratings

• Explain the job analysis process and method you used, including questions asked.
• List this table as an appendix

4. KSAO listing with ratings(20%)

• List this as an appendix
• You can make up your own knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (KSAO) definitions or take them from sources if properly cited

5. Job description

• List this as an appendix

• Using the example in your textbook (Table 2.1) as a guide, include the job summary, work activities, job context, and job competencies sections. If possible, include the work performance and compensation information.

6. Conclusion

• Write about the strengths, challenges, and limitations or barriers of the process and what could be done differently.
• Discuss any legal issues you had to consider.
• Explain how conducting a job analysis could improve or benefit this position.

7. APA Formatting and Grammar

Helpful Hints:

You may use the interview guide or use your own questions. You may also record the tasks in the job task table template and the KSAOs in the templates below. Add or remove rows as needed. You can use the two suggested rating scales, frequency and importance, or you can use your own. Be sure to ask the respondent the current minimum requirements to get the job, any training required upon hire, tools and equipment used, and about the physical working environment. For an example of a job description, you can refer to Table 2.1 of your textbook.