Job descriptions serve several purposes, but the first one is attracting the right talent for your open position. Keep that in mind when writing the description that will be used for posting.
Keep it clean, concise, and only include pertinent information. Ensure that it:
Accurately defines the position, including:
• Required education, hard and soft skills, and experience
• Duties and responsibilities of the position
• Reporting relationships
Of course, once a well-written description has attracted a positive short list of applicants, it continues to fill additional roles. Accurate descriptions:
Provide a basis for creating appropriate interview questions:
• An accurate, well-defined description can help those interviewing to choose questions, whose answers reveal whether or not the candidate can fulfill the responsibilities.
• Furthermore, most jobs fit certain personalities better than others. Using the description as a guideline gives the interviewer an idea if the applicant’s personality melds with the responsibilities.
Keep everyone involved on the same page, setting the standard for:
• The appropriate orientation and training to arrange for the new employee
• Helps the employee understand the responsibilities and expectations associated with the new position.
• Assists both the employee and his/her supervisor in tracking their performance.
• Provides a benchmark for evaluations.
Establish the correct classification and help determine:
• Appropriate compensation
• Benefits
• The amount of flexibility and or telecommuting that will help the employee fulfill his/her responsibilities.
Provide proof of legal compliance with:
• EEOC guidelines
• Fair Labor Standards Act
• Americans with Disabilities Act
• Affordable Healthcare Act
As you can see, job descriptions play an important role and are a vital tool for HR. Choosing the right person to craft your description is crucial. The reality is that the best descriptions are written by a team of people, including:
• Human Resources should play a role – after all, they are connected to recruiting, succession planning, training, and legal compliance.
• Department Managers should be involved – they oversee the daily performance of duties and recognize which positions should be assigned to specific roles.
• The employees should be involved – they spend the time in the trenches and know exactly what they do and don’t do on a day to day basis.
In the end, job descriptions not only make the hiring process easier, but also improve that chances of employee success.
Of course, time and situations change. Responsibilities fluctuate. Don’t write your description, and then file it away for eternity. Update your files on a consistent basis. Not only will this make it easier when you have to fill a position, but it will also ensure that you are legally compliant and should you have to terminate an employee, it will provide a basis of support.
Taking the time to craft an accurate, informative job description can pay off many times over. They will also help your staffing agency give their best to you. At Springborn Staffing, our aim is to connect each of our clients with the best candidate for the position. Providing us with accurate job descriptions is your best insurance. Contact us today about your staffing needs – we specialize in helping companies in Bangor and Portland, Maine.
