How To Write A Job Description

Job descriptions are crucial in the recruitment process.

Not only do they demonstrate to the candidate that the role definitely exists but that is has been thought through, approved and budgeted for. It also helps you - the organization - focus and prioritise on where this position fits into the overall plan for the business and what key outputs are expected.

Designing a good job description is a great way to ensure that you cover all the critical elements of the job as well as answering as many questions as you can about it. A job description is a sales document and generally the first opportunity you have to engage with a candidate, so make sure it is well written, focused and succinct.

The most effective job descriptions should include some or all of these headings.

• An overview of the organization and where this role fits in - this is your opportunity to tell the candidate what your organization does, where you are positioned in the market and where you see this role fitting in to the organizational structure.

• Primary responsibilities of role - it's purpose - a quick and easy explanation of what this job does and why it is necessary.

• The organizations vision and values - essentially what you stand for and the types of values you want to see from your employees (particularly important for Gen Y's).

• Key relationships within the organization - a list of who this person will engage with during their business day. A great opportunity for you to demonstrate team work, access to senior decision makers etc.

• Major accountabilities of the role - The buck stops with you stuff. The nuts and bolts of what you are paying this person to deliver.

• Background or suitable applicants / personal characteristics - it is true that like attracts like. Review the profiles of your high performing staff members and ask for similar traits.

• KPIs - how are you going to measure effective performance in this role and how often will you monitor it?

Once you have started to fill in these gaps, you will get a real sense of exactly what you are looking for, and this will come through in the document making it more likely to truly engage the minds of the candidates.