Typical Job Description
Job descriptions are an important component of the recruitment and hiring process. The purpose of a job description is to help new or prospective employees understand the details of a position and to help the supervisor understand what they expect of their employee. By clarifying an employee's specific tasks, supervisors can ensure that the right person will be hired for the position, simplify performance evaluations, and defend their decision to terminate someone if necessary.
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Job Title and Summary
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The first step in writing a job description is to state the job title. This may already be determined by the human resources department, but if it is a new position, the title should clearly reflect what the position entails. A brief summary of the objectives of the position should also be included at the beginning of the description, along with a short list of the main responsibilities.
Qualifications
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Qualifications for a job may include specific experience, training or education necessary to complete the tasks. This section may be separated into categories such as knowledge, including specific degrees, technical training or certification; skills or abilities such as basic math, writing skills or operating certain equipment; and experience, a demonstrated ability to perform tasks, whether through previous paid or volunteer experience. Some job descriptions may also differentiate between essential qualifications, which applicants must have to be eligible for the position; and preferred qualifications, which would make applicants more desirable but would not prevent them from being hired.
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Responsibilities or Tasks
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The responsibilities or duties section of a job description should include a list of the major functions of the position and the approximate percentage of the employee's time that each of these functions should take. Some job descriptions add a phrase such as "other duties as assigned" to include tasks that may not be performed frequently. If there are many tasks to a position, it may help to categorize the tasks and list them under broader headings. Tasks should be listed using short statements that begin with an action verb.
Physical and Environmental Requirements
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Some positions may have specific physical or environmental requirements that applicants must meet. These might include physical demands placed on the applicant such as sitting at a desk or computer screen for long periods of time or the ability to lift 25 pounds, or they may include environmental conditions such as being exposed to loud noises or cold temperatures.
Compensation and Benefits
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This section should include any form of compensation offered in the position, including hourly wage or yearly salary, insurance benefits and vacation and sick leave. If salary is negotiable, this section may be left out or given as a range of amounts.
Work Schedule
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The work schedule section should list the typical hours that employees will work in this position, whether it be a defined set of hours, or that work must be completed at varying times during the day or week. It can also include policies on overtime if necessary.
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References
Resources
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