A good job description lists the requirements of a role and gives each team member a clear, precise idea of what you expect from them. It can also act as a framework for managing performance, evaluating people, and giving feedback.<\/p>
But perhaps more importantly, a good job description is also a dynamic, \u201clive\u201d document that enables you to align individual roles with your team\u2019s goals and your company\u2019s vision, even in environments where those roles can change quickly. In other words, it conveys meaning and a sense of purpose.<\/p>
Consider this scenario. The HR department at Pedro’s company has asked him to produce a set of job descriptions for his growing team. Some exist already, and they just need to be updated. Others have to be written afresh, and one is required for an upcoming set of interviews. But Pedro isn\u2019t relishing the task. To him, writing job descriptions \u2013 ticking off competencies, listing skills, mapping team goals onto functions, and so on \u2013 is just a box-ticking exercise and a real grind. But maybe it\u2019s time for Pedro to think differently about job descriptions.<\/p>
Done well, a job description will answer these questions: “What are my key responsibilities and priorities?”, “What are my critical success factors?”, and above all “Why does my job matter?” Read on to find out the main points to cover when writing a job description, including examples.<\/p>