According to the CESP Candidate Handbook1, Domain 4 of the CESP certification covers Workplace and Related Supports, which includes the following tasks:

4.1 Conduct job analysis to identify the essential functions, skills, and supports needed for successful job performance.

4.2 Provide job training and coaching to facilitate skill acquisition, work performance, and retention.

4.3 Collaborate with the employer, the employee, and other stakeholders to develop and implement natural and ongoing supports.

4.4 Monitor and evaluate the employee’s work performance, satisfaction, and career development.

The best time for an employment support professional to conduct a job analysis is once the individual has accepted a position. This would be consistent with the task 4.1, which requires the employment support professional to identify the essential functions, skills, and supports needed for successful job performance. By conducting a job analysis after the individual has accepted a position, the employment support professional would be able to collect accurate and relevant data on the specific job duties, tasks, activities, and elements, as well as the work environment, tools and equipment, relationships, and requirements. This information would help the employment support professional to provide job training and coaching, collaborate with the employer and the employee, and monitor and evaluate the employee’s work performance, satisfaction, and career development.

The other options are not the best times to conduct a job analysis, because they either occur too early or too late in the employment process. Conducting a job analysis after the individual starts work (option B) is too late, because the employment support professional would miss the opportunity to provide job training and coaching, and to facilitate the employee’s adjustment and integration into the workplace. Conducting a job analysis on the day of the interview (option C) is too early, because the employment support professional would not have enough information or access to the specific job and workplace that the individual is applying for. Conducting a job analysis when the individual applies for work (option D) is also too early, because the employment support professional would not know which position the individual would be offered or accept, and would have to conduct multiple job analyses for different potential jobs.

References: 1: CESP Candidate Handbook, page 10.