How Job Analysis Really Works
Ever wonder what hiring managers actually look for when they read job postings? Our job analysis gives you that insider perspective - and shows you exactly how your resume measures up.
The Real Story Behind Job Postings
Here's something most people don't realize: job postings are written by humans, for humans, but they're often filtered by robots first.
The hiring manager might be looking for "someone who can think strategically and work well with diverse teams," but the ATS system is scanning for keywords like "strategic planning" and "cross-functional collaboration."
Our AI reads job postings the way both humans and systems do. It understands the human intent behind phrases like "fast-paced environment" (translation: you'll be juggling multiple priorities), while also extracting the specific keywords that will help your application get past the initial screening.
What Happens When You Click Analyze
The moment you hit that analyze button on a LinkedIn job posting, here's what happens behind the scenes:
Step 1: Deep Reading
Our AI doesn't just skim the job posting. It reads every word, including:
- The main job description and responsibilities
- Required vs. preferred qualifications (there's a big difference)
- Company culture clues in the language they use
- Benefits and compensation philosophy
- Even the fine print about location and work arrangements
Step 2: Resume Comparison
While reading the job posting, our system pulls your master resume and starts mapping your experience to their requirements. It's looking for:
- Direct skill matches (you both mention "Python")
- Transferable experience (your "project coordination" covers their "project management")
- Industry knowledge that applies
- Experience levels that align
Step 3: Insight Generation
This is where the magic happens. The AI synthesizes everything into actionable insights:
- Your compatibility percentage
- Specific strengths to emphasize
- Gaps that might hold you back
- Keywords to incorporate in your application
Understanding Your Results
The Compatibility Score: What It Really Means
Your compatibility score isn't just about checking boxes. Here's how to interpret it:
85-95% = You're exactly what they're looking for Apply immediately. You meet their core requirements and then some. Your main job is to not mess up a good thing.
70-84% = Strong candidate with minor gaps Apply with confidence. You might be missing 1-2 preferred skills, but your core experience aligns well. Perfect opportunity to learn and grow.
55-69% = Solid potential with some work needed Worth applying if you're genuinely interested. You'll need to address the gaps thoughtfully in your cover letter and be prepared to discuss how you'd bridge them.
40-54% = Stretch opportunity Only apply if you're passionate about the role or company. You'll be competing against more qualified candidates, but sometimes passion and potential win.
Under 40% = Probably not the right fit Unless this is your dream job or dream company, your time is better spent on roles where you're more competitive.
Skills Analysis: Your Competitive Advantage
What's Already Working This section often surprises people. You're usually stronger than you think - you just might not be describing your experience in the same language the employer uses. For example, you might have "managed team projects" while they're looking for "cross-functional leadership." Same skill, different words.
What's Missing These aren't necessarily deal-breakers. The analysis distinguishes between:
- Must-haves you don't have (serious gaps to address)
- Nice-to-haves you're missing (opportunities to stand out)
- Emerging skills in the field (future learning opportunities)
Keywords That Matter These are the specific terms this employer uses that you should consider incorporating in your resume and cover letter. But here's the key: don't just stuff keywords randomly. Use them naturally in context.
Beyond the Basics: What Else You Learn
Company Culture Insights
Different companies use different language to describe similar roles. A startup might emphasize "wearing many hats" and "moving fast," while an enterprise might focus on "process improvement" and "stakeholder management." These clues help you tailor not just your resume, but your entire application approach.
ATS Optimization
Some insights are specifically about getting past the initial digital screening:
- Section headings that ATS systems prefer
- Keywords to include naturally
- Formatting that won't confuse the parsing software
- Common mistakes that cause resumes to be filtered out
Making Analysis Work for Your Job Search
Use It as a Filter
Not every job that looks interesting is worth applying to. Use compatibility scores to prioritize your efforts. Focus your energy on roles where you score 60%+ rather than trying to force fits with lower scores.
Turn Insights Into Action
The best analyses are actionable. If it tells you you're missing "stakeholder management" experience, think about times you've worked with different departments, managed client relationships, or coordinated with external partners. Same experience, different framing.
Track Patterns
After analyzing several jobs, you might notice patterns:
- Certain skills appearing repeatedly in your target roles
- Industries that consistently rate you highly
- Company sizes that align well with your background
- Salary ranges that match your expectations
Don't Overthink It
Analysis is meant to inform your decisions, not paralyze you. If you're genuinely interested in a role and score reasonably well, apply. The worst they can say is no, and you might learn something in the process.
When Analysis Might Be Off
Limited Job Posting Information
Some companies post minimal information, especially for internal transfers or contract roles. When there's less to analyze, the insights are naturally less detailed.
Unique or New Roles
Brand new positions or highly specialized roles might not have enough historical data for comparison. The AI does its best, but take results with a grain of salt.
Industry-Specific Jargon
Some fields use very specific terminology that might not translate well. If you work in a specialized industry, use your domain expertise alongside the analysis.
Getting the Most Value
Analyze Jobs You Actually Want
Since you're using trial credits, be strategic. Analyze roles you're genuinely considering, not just curiosities.
Read the Full Analysis
Don't just look at the compatibility score. The detailed breakdowns often contain the most valuable insights.
Save Everything
Your dashboard keeps all your analyses, making it easy to compare opportunities and track patterns over time.
Act on the Insights
The analysis is just the beginning. Use it to improve your resume, write better cover letters, and prepare for interviews.
Ready to put analysis to work? Learn how to create compelling cover letters based on your job analysis, or explore interview preparation to turn insights into interview success.