Last Updated: Mar 12, 2018
Job descriptions are important for attracting the right job candidates, helping employees understand their responsibilities, evaluating employees’ performance, and much more. Here are tips for writing good job descriptions.

Think of a job description as a “snapshot” of a job. The job description needs to communicate clearly and concisely what responsibilities and tasks the job entails and to indicate, as well, the key qualifications of the job – the basic requirements (specific credentials or skills) – and, if possible, the attributes that underlie superior performance.

Following is a quick look at the categories that make up a well-written job description:

Before you look for employees, you should conduct a detailed job analysis. Save time with our free Job Analysis Form. The reusable template lets you type in your requirements and skills needs and save it. You can get the form free when you subscribe to the free Business Know-How Newsletter

Educational requirements and experience requirements are the areas where inadvertent discrimination may occur. Educational requirements must be a real necessity for the job. If someone could accomplish the work with equivalent job experience but who lacks a specific credential, the job description should be modified. And to avoid age discrimination, experience should not include an upper limit.

Sample job description:

Title of the position
Senior Mailroom Clerk

Department
Operations

Reports to
Building Services Supervisor

Overall responsibility
Supervise mailroom staff and interface with all levels of management regarding mail and supply deliveries

Key areas of responsibility

Consults with

Term of employment
12 months

Qualifications

Tips:

Too General

Specific

Computer literate

Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, QuickBooks

Good communication skills

Ability to communicate technical information to nontechnical audiences

Handles administrative chores

Receives, sorts, and files monthly personnel action reports

 
Warning! A job description is generally regarded as a legal document. Any references to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin or nationality, or physical or mental disability is illegal.

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