How to write a job description

by | Jan 21, 2010 | Employers Tips

By having a well written job description will help you reach your goal in hiring the best suitable candidate to your vacancy.

Writing a job ad - thinkingA good job description begins with a careful analysis of the important facts about a job, such as the individual tasks involved, the methods used to complete the tasks, the purpose and responsibilities of the job, the relationship of the job to other jobs, and the qualifications needed for the job.
It’s important to make a job description practical by keeping it dynamic, functional, and current. A well-written, practical job description will help you avoid hearing a refusal to carry out a relevant assignment because “it isn’t in my job description.”

Realistically speaking, many jobs are subject to change due either to personal growth, organizational development, and/or the evolution of new technologies. Flexible job descriptions will encourage your employees to grow within their positions and learn how to make larger contributions to your company.

Following is a quick look at the categories that make up a well-written job description:big-tick

  • Title of the position
  • Department
  • Reports to (to whom the person directly reports)
  • Overall responsibility
  • Key areas of responsibility
  • Consults with (those who the person works with on a regular basis)
  • Term of employment
  • Qualifications (necessary skills and experience required)

Tips:

 

  • Make a job description flexible
  • Use the present tense of verbs, as well as explanatory phrases that tell how, why, where, or how often for the purpose of adding clarity
  • Choose terminology that is unbiased with regard to gender.
  • Avoid using words that are open to multiple interpretations such as

Some, Occasional, Several, Complex

 

WARNING! A job description is generally regarded as a legal document. Any references to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin or nationality, or physical or mental disability is illegal.

Job Description templates are readily available and can be easily searched over the internet.

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6 Comments

  1. vlasta

    Dear Noelle,

    I do not know of any lawsuits with reference to race, age or gender in Australia that have resulted from job description. Here is a link to some equal opportunity complaints and outcomes from WA which will give you some idea however none of these are with regards to job description. If you speaking from experience I do recommend that you seek either legal or employment advice from appropriate or govern bodies.
    http://www.equalopportunity.wa.gov.au/conciliatedcomplaints.html

    Hope this is of help.
    Kind regards
    Vlasta Eriksson

    Reply
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