How to Write Your First Job Description
Whether you’re hiring your best friend or someone you’ve never met before, it’s important to write a job description.
A good job description is not just a list of tasks but a guide that benefits both you and the employee.
The best job descriptions benefit both employer and employee.
If you take the time to think it through and write it well, your employee will have a clear idea of what is expected of them and be able to do their best work. You will also be able to measure their performance and hold them accountable.
If you’re not at the hiring stage yet, start thinking about the type of person you may want to hire in the future. Your new employee’s values will have a big impact on your company, especially if you’re small.
It’s all about first impressions
Spending a good amount of time writing job descriptions has another benefit: you have a better chance of enticing the right candidates to apply.
Consider this: If you require a master’s degree, you may limit your talent pool. But if you’re looking for a people-person who can answer the phone and troubleshoot customer problems, a master’s degree may not be necessary. Focus on hiring someone with the right attitude and compassion.
The question is: How do you convey all of this in a single page of text?
The 3 essential parts of a good job description
Think of writing a job description like a high school or college essay:
First, do your research. What should you include? What does your competition include?
Next, draft your outline. Make a bullet list of the duties, required qualifications, and performance standards.
Finally, tie it all together. Reflect your business values in your tone of voice, share your company culture, and include all important details.
Let’s break it down further:
1. Specific details of the position
Use a relevant title that conveys your industry and the current trends. Avoid internal titles that outsiders won’t understand.
Include a short summary of the job to give candidates an overview of the responsibilities and purpose. Specify if it’s full-time, part-time, or an internship.
Summarize your company in one to three sentences to convey your goal and achievements without being dishonest.
List the skills, qualifications, or certifications required, including any legal certifications.
Provide manager and supervisor information if necessary. Include the department and reporting structure.
Clarify any location details to avoid confusion. Is it remote work? Will any travel be required?
Include the salary or salary range, along with any benefits or perks.
2. Duties the candidate will be expected to perform
This section is crucial as it details the daily responsibilities, level of responsibility, and complexity of the work.
Make the duties as descriptive and "active" as possible to give the candidate a clear idea of what is expected.
Consider framing the duties in a story-like fashion to engage the reader.
3. Performance standards
Use this section as a basis to measure performance and set expectations.
Separate this section into a list of its own to ensure clarity.
Specify any communication standards, essential knowledge, and required collaboration skills.
What’s next?
If you’re unsure where to start, read similar job descriptions to get an idea of what to include.
Search LinkedIn, popular job sites, competitor’s sites, or business sites in neighboring states.
Once you have a sense of what to include, follow the essay format: create a framework and then fill in the details.
Hello!
I’m Andrew Brooks, a seasoned finance consultant from the USA and the mind behind phonenumber247.com.
My career is built on a foundation of helping individuals and businesses thrive financially in an ever-changing economic landscape. At phonenumber247.com, my aim is to demystify the complex world of finance, providing clear, actionable advice that can help you navigate your financial journey with confidence. Whether it’s personal finance management, investment strategies, or understanding the nuances of market dynamics, I’m here to share insights and tools that can propel you towards your financial goals.
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