Job Profile

As you do your research, you might consider making up job-profile sheets and filling them in as you acquire information. Here's a sample of a typical job-profile sheet you could use (though you can adapt it as you see fit).

Now, here is a brief explanation of each of the boxes on your chart:

• Job Title: Give either the official or the commonly used title for a person who carries out the duties involved.

• Educational Requirements: Outline the level of formal schooling/education necessary for the position: college diploma? University degree? Apprenticeship?

• Skill and Aptitude Requirements: Explain what a person must be able to do to be successful at this job and what personal qualities he or she should have. (You might want to separate this box into two-one for skills, such as keyboarding-and one for aptitudes-such as an ability to work well with people.)

• Functions/Responsibilities: Explain the principal tasks this position involves.

• Employment/Advancement Opportunities: Explain just how good the prospects are for obtaining work in this area. As well, describe at least one position or opportunity that a person who is successful in this position might move on to.

• Salary Range: Give the general range of salaries available to people doing this work.

• Benefits and Drawbacks: Comment on the suitability of this job according to your own needs and interests. How would this position suit you? In what ways might it be less than ideal?

• Resources Used for Research and Future Reference: List the sources you discovered and the people you contacted to acquire your information along with other places you could go in the future to learn more.