Writing effective job description is not a hard task but your job description needs to be clear and precise, not lengthy but yet all important information must be included. This explainer offers guidance on key sections that are important to include for clarity, as well as suggestions for promoting the position so you can hook the readers with a thoughtful and unique job description. A typical job description provides a list of duties, responsibilities, tasks, requirements, demands for setting job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the work as described. However, it’s often not construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities.
When writing a job description, consider the following:
- Highlight the accurate job title;
- Provide a general company introduction;
- Provide a brief summary or introduction that provides an overview of the job;
- Specify the relevant job duties and responsibilities that are necessary for this position;
- List essential qualifications;
- Be clear and concise;
- Have someone proofread it;
- Make sure that HR and the hiring manager will sign off before publishing it;
- Define what success looks like in the position after 30 days, the first quarter, and the first year;
- Provide direct contact details of the manager or HR department who will follow up on the candidates.
- Publish it via several social media platforms, or offline media, so you are sure that in-house employees also can get easy access to it.
- Address the candidates directly to help them to feel more related eg. Use the word "you" instead of "they";
- Include an "about us" brief summary about your company;
- Include all benefits that comes with the job position.
What should you include in a job description?
Job descriptions are very important when listing a job opening as it provides an applicant with the duties, requirements, responsibilities, skills, qualifications etc. of the job opening. It is said to be a very important part when creating a job listing. A well written job description benefits both the applicant and the recruiter. Writing the perfect job description helps to find the most suitable applicant for the job, it helps applicants to decide if they are suitable for the position, if they are capable of handling the position and if they are comfortable with the positions before they apply, as such it saves valuable time for both the applicant and the recruiter and makes the selection process easier for the recruiter. Some points must be included in a job description to make it effective. Some are listed below:
The following categories are important when making a job description:
Job title: Full title of the job- This job title is a usually a brief description that reflects the content of the job. This should state a clear and precise job position, for example such as “Chief Operating Officer”.
Job summary: This should be inclusive of a short description of the company followed by the position expectations and job location. Detail summary of the job- This gives an overview of the role, the level and the scope of the job.
Job responsibilities: This one should include the core duties of a job. Full list of duties & responsibilities- This describes the fundamentals overall nature of the job role.
Skills and qualifications: Here, you can include requirements such as education, past work experience, any necessary certifications, technical skills, and personal qualities. Academic Experience needed for the role- This state the mandatory or optional experience needed for the job. Academic Qualification needed for the role- This state the necessary qualifications need for the job. Or any specific skills needed for the role- This state any special skills or talent required for the job.
Salary and additional benefits: Here, you must specify a certain range of income you can offer to the candidate. Moreover, you should also include any relevant benefits such as the number of annual leaves, medical coverage, provident fund, etc.
Contact details: explain the hiring procedure.
