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Value of a Strong Job Description:


Before you advertise a job posting or register a position vacancy with a recruitment consulting firm, it is a wise move to first invest some time evaluating your objectives.


A job description is a tailored summary of the vacancy; including the role and responsibilities of the consultant / employee and the goals of the job. A job description is a profile of the type of person you consider best fits the role.


Preparing a detailed job description helps you to focus on exactly what skills you seek. The finished document aids your Human Resources / Personnel department or recruitment consultant in identifying appropriate candidates for you to interview. It's also a great exercise in re-evaluating your departmental needs, giving you the opportunity to juggle around responsibilities amongst your team if needed or wanted.


Job descriptions are beneficial to the candidates as well. The candidates get a better understanding of the job for which they are applying. The specifications you prepare will help you evaluate resumes more concisely and effectively, as well as providing a list of pertinent questions for the interview stage.


Be specific!


By being as specific as possible when indicating your exact needs, job seekers will know exactly what the job entails and will be able to say if they have the qualifications necessary to fulfill your expectations. In essence, a job description is a communicative document between you and your department, your HR or personnel officer and your job applicant.


Below is a list of points to consider and ‘speak to’ when writing a strong job description.


HR Related
  • Incumbent (Is this a vacancy or a new role)
  • Job Title Department
  • Location
  • Relationships (Hierarchal relationships)
  • Date Issued

Range of responsibilities
  • 'job process' from start to finish
  • Day-to-day duties
  • Who the position reports to
  • A 'typical day' (if appropriate)
  • Examples of one-off projects (livens up the job - livens up the profile)
  • Any specific software this position would use

Skills and abilities
  • Abilities you expect your ideal candidate to demonstrate
  • Think in terms of technical, organizational, communicative or creative skills
  • Analyze each skill required with the specific job tasks

Qualifications and experience
  • What specific education or courses do you require?
  • What level of experience (if any) is needed?
  • Is the candidate required to have held a prior job of similar description?
  • Time frame of experience gained – in which specific industries and departments

Character and personal qualities
  • What sort of personality would fit in with your team?
  • Use concise words that would describe the nature of your ideal candidate
  • Think of traits that would help them complete the job efficiently
  • Character traits of a person with a love of the industry or a similar role

Ideal qualities
  • What other qualities would you like your employee to display?
  • Include any other thoughts about the person or job that you have not already noted
  • Think laterally in your descriptions – delve into the underlying nature of the candidate and job