JOB ANALYSIS
ical and routine. The other type is characterized by variety
and calls for the use of intelligence in meeting new situ-
ations. Many jobs combine both types of work.
Routine work is illustrated by the following quotation
from Link describing the duties of a shell inspector (101,
pp. 24-25).
The work of inspecting shells was done at a table like an
upturned shallow box. Upon this hollow table was dumped a
large box of brass shells, not yet loaded, and all of exactly the
same kind. The work of each girl was to inspect these shells and
throw out those that were defective. In doing this a girl would
first gather up a large handful of shells, as many as could be
piled in one hand, being careful to have all of them pointing in
the same direction. Then she would put both hands around the
shells and turn them all up so as to expose their insides. She
would then look down into every shell for dents, scratches, stains,
and other very minute defects. When any such defect was dis-
covered, the shell was skilfully extracted from the pile and thrown
into one of three or four appropriate scrap boxes. The entire
handful was then turned over, and the head of every shell exam-
ined for various defects. The shells were then held in a hori-
zontal position on the left hand, and allowed to roll from the
pile into the right hand. Each shell, in the process of rolling from
one hand into the other, exposed its lateral surface and was
closely scrutinized for scratches, oil dents, stains, and other
defects. The good ones were taken in the right hand and dropped
into a pocket at the right side of the table, through which they
fell into a box below.
The second type of work is illustrated by the following
analysis of the duties of an assistant buyer in a department
store (112, pp. 32-34).
ASSISTANT BUYER
The duties as listed here are arranged in the order of importance.
(The masculine pronoun is used throughout for uniformity.)
A. DUTIES—SUMMARY
1. Regular and Primary Responsibilities
[. Merchandising the stock.—He is responsible under
the supervision of the buyer and within the rules
to so merchandise the reserve and forward stocks
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