Contents of a Job Description

Contents of a Job Description

• A job description is a written statement explaining the duties, responsibilities, necessary skills, outcomes and work environment of a particular job. It plays a vital role in recruitment and can be used to measure job performance.

Job Title and Summary

• The job title should accurately reflect the nature of the job and its tasks to potential candidates.
• The job summary gives a brief overview of what the role involves and its key purpose within the organisation.

Duties and Responsibilities

• This section details the specific tasks, duties and responsibilities of the job. It gives potential applicants a clear idea of what will be expected of them.
• It’s important to lay out these tasks in an organised manner, usually in a bulleted list.

Skills and Qualifications

• Outlines the necessary skills and qualifications required for the role. This may include educational qualifications, professional certifications, or specific skills like proficiency in a certain software.
• Sometimes, the job description might differentiate between essential and desirable skills.

Reporting Relationships

• Specifies to whom the new hire will report and whether any other roles would be reporting directly to them.
• This helps paint a clearer picture of the organisational structure and the candidate’s place within it.

Work Environment

• Describes the work environment in which the jobholder will perform the tasks. This includes details about work hours, the physical environment and potential hazards.
• May include information about travel requirements or remote working possibilities.

Salary Range

• Although not always included, some job descriptions provide a salary range for the role.

Remember, a comprehensive and well-crafted job description can attract high-quality candidates and can help prevent potential misunderstandings or legal issues down the line.