How to Change Your Job Description Before Starting the Job
Moderately challenging is putting it mildly. Changing a job description before starting a new job is a gutsy move but if done appropriately it can be extremely beneficial for you. The key to doing this is knowing whether the situation can be handled to avoid offending your new employer.
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Instructions
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A discussion about changing the job description must be done delicately and in a way that showcases your willingness to better the position and the organization as a whole.
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If at all possible, you should communicate your desire to adjust the job description prior to accepting the position. If not, you should schedule some time to discuss the changes with your new supervisor.
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Read the description as is. Think about what changes you want to propose and write them down.
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Take your thoughts a step further by elaborating on (1) what changes on the part of the employer would be needed to accommodate your suggested changes, (2) what resources would be required, (3) who would be affected by these changes and (4) how these changes would benefit both your position and the organization.
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Develop a proposal by recording the changes and the associated components from Step 4 to discuss with your supervisor. A proposal will be viewed as a suggestion vs. a directive, will demonstrate your communication skills and afford your supervisor the option of accepting and possibly declining some of your changes.
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Remember that there is no guarantee that this will go as planned. If your suggestions are dismissed, consider taking some time to get comfortable with the job. Look for opportunities that are interesting to you that can bring about new benefits to your new employer as well (See Resource on "Job Crafting").
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Tips & Warnings
In your proposal, briefly describe why you are suggesting the changes at hand.
Suggesting changes to a job description for a job you haven't started yet can be very risky. Consider whether or not the changes will even be accepted before suggesting them.
