How to Write a Job Description (Free Templates) Word

When looking to hire new employees, you should have a clear idea of the type of candidate to hire- particularly which skills, qualities, and experience to look for to help you get a solid group of candidates. This can be achieved from a detailed job description. Without one, you (the recruiter) cannot hope to get the best candidate that will match your organization’s standards and qualifications.

Potential employees also need specific job descriptions to help them decide if the position is a great fit for their qualifications and their desired career. A well-crafted, accurate and detailed job description will ensure that only the most relevant, qualified candidates apply for the open position.

The job description, also referred to as JD, is a document that describes the type of work to be performed by an employee. It summarizes all the key duties, responsibilities, skills, and qualifications for a given job.

Having a well-crafted job description creates a concrete set of expectations for the employer to communicate to their employees. The employees are made aware of their responsibilities as outlined in the job description, so there is less confusion about the job expectations. The job description can also serve as an evaluation tool for employers to measure job performance based on the pre-defined job duties and responsibilities.

Having a job description in place is a great start to avoiding being in situations where your employees do not fulfill their duties and responsibilities. A well-defined job description helps set clear expectations with your employees at the outset of their employment about what is expected of them. Without a job description in place, it can be quite difficult for your employee to be held accountable for their role.

A well-crafted job description can help improve your ability to manage your staff in the following ways:

Improved communication

A well-crafted job description helps inform the employee whom they are to report to and when. Proper communication leads to improved work performance

Salary administration

A job description should outline the expected salary and any other benefits that come with the job. The job description should mention the salary amount, payment mode, and date to avoid any confusion.

Framework for determining performance criteria

With the duties and responsibilities of the employee laid out in the job description, it is easy for the manager or HR to gauge the employee’s performance.

The basis for recruiting

The job description lays out the foundation for recruitment. It highlights the skills, experiences, and qualifications that a candidate must possess for them to be accepted for a given role.

Staffing and planning

Depending on the organization’s size, the job description can help set out the required job groups-by laying out the skills and qualifications- and the number of candidates required for a given role.

Avoidance of misleading titles

When writing a job description, the first thing that one must include is the exact title that title for which they are looking to fill. This helps in making clear the title and avoiding any misleading titles and expectations.

Compliance with wage and hours laws

The job description ensures that the employer is in line with The Fair Labor Standards Act, which prescribes wages and overtime pay, which affects most private and public employment. The job description highlights the number of hours the employee must work and the total wage they are to be paid for the hours worked.

Process improvement

Having a well-crafted job description creates a concrete set of expectations for the employer to communicate to their employees. Job descriptions are an integral component of any company. Not only is it important that they are accurate and thorough when drafted, but it is also crucial that they are kept up to date, as employee’s job functions may evolve with the growth or expansion of the business.

Job descriptions are an important component of any organization. Not only is it important that they are accurate and thorough when drafted, but it is also crucial that they are kept up to date, as employee’s job functions may evolve with the growth or expansion of the business.

Here are the key components that you should include in your job description:

Start by including the job title to help the potential/employees understand whom the job description is for. The title should be brief and should accurately describe the job while at the same time retaining the consistency of your organization’s customs and standards. When writing the job description, try and avoid ambiguous language to avoid confusing the employees when applying for the job.

A good job description will go far with an employer’s onboarding and recruitment efforts. It is important that you open with a strong, attention-grabbing summary to hook your readers with details about what makes your organization unique. The job summary should provide an overview of your organization and expectation for the position. When writing the job description, it is important always to remember that the job description introduces your organization and employer brand. As such, you should include details about your organization’s culture to sum up why a candidate should consider working in your organization.

When writing the job summary, make sure to include the exact job location to help the potential applicants determine whether the location suits them. This will also ensure that you get candidates who reside close to your organization and may be willing to start working right away.

List down the core duties and responsibilities of the position. A clear description of the duties and responsibilities helps the candidate visualize a typical day at work and understand the work environment. Ensure that your list of duties and responsibilities is detailed but concise. Also, make sure to list down any duties that are unique to your organization. Being detailed when describing the duties will help the candidate determine if the job or organization is the right fit.

Some items to consider when writing the duties and job responsibilities include:

• Include explanatory phrases which tell who, where and how often the duties and tasks are performed
• Identify areas of direct or indirect accountability
• Focus on the outcome of the tasks
• List the job duties that reflect the position requirements and ensure that they are not based upon the capabilities of any one individual
• Describe the type and level of budgetary or financial responsibilities

Reference areas of direct or indirect accountabilities

When writing the job description, list down all the hard and soft skills. List the required level of job knowledge, such as the level of education, experience, skills, abilities, knowledge required to do the job. When writing, try to focus on the minimum level of qualification required for an individual to be successful and productive in this role.

When writing, make sure to keep your list concise even though you may be tempted to include every requirement that you envision for your ideal candidate; including too many skills and qualifications could dissuade the potential candidates.

When your organization is looking to hire qualified employees and keep those employees loyal and productive, it is important that you provide them with a “package” that includes compensation, incentives, and benefits such as perks or rewards for good work and health insurance, or paid vacations.

Also, make sure to mention the salary range for each job advertised. This will help ensure that the candidates who apply are conversant with what you are offering.

A well-crafted job description can help you get the right candidate to fill your organization’s given position. Crafting a great job description can be hard at times, especially when it is you first time doing so or having to craft various job descriptions for different jobs. To make sure that you include all the key information when writing, download and use our professionally designed job description templates to help you out. Download now and get started!

Such things include:

Discrimination

It is important that when writing the job description, you don’t discriminate against the potential applicant’s gender, race, color, religion, etc. If you are looking to promote a diverse workplace, make sure to include an equal opportunity disclaimer in the job description.

Asking for too much

Do not include too many requirements when writing the job description. Only include what’s absolutely important, what can be learned on the job, and include only the must-have skills in your job description.

Negativity

It is important that when writing the job description, you don’t use negative statements even if you are looking to eliminate unqualified candidates. For instance, leading with a statement like “Any candidate with less than four years of experience will not be considered for the position” may come off as a negative and unfriendly way to introduce your job and impact how the candidates view your employer brand and culture.

Unclear structure

A well-crafted job description should be simple, neat, and attractive. When drafting the job description, you should keep in mind your target audience and the mode in which they will receive the job description. A well-structured section in your job description can help separate duties from requirements and help the candidate understand whether they fit the role or not.

Being mysterious

When you are looking to hire the best candidate with all the skills and experiences for your organization, it is important that you lay out all the requirements in detail. This will help ensure that only the best candidates apply for the position. Be upfront about any non-negotiable requirements, like certifications, working hours, and driving license. This way, you will avoid deal breakers later in your hiring process.

Job descriptions are a great tool for any organization and serve as the foundation for every action that the organization takes. Whether it is used for hiring, conducting a performance review, or any other HR-related activities, the job description can help streamline all these processes. It is also a useful communication tool that helps inform the employees exactly what tasks you expect them to perform and address the quality and quantity of performance standards or even work rules applied to a given job. Without such clear communication, employees may not be able to perform to your company’s expectations.