Job descriptions have been around since the advent of jobs. They are essential for potential employees to understand what the open position expects from them and help employers hold employees accountable.
With so much on the desks of talent acquisition professionals, job descriptions tend to take a backseat. However, its importance must not be overlooked because of its role in recruitment. So let us walk you through the importance of drafting an accurate job description.
What makes a good Job Description?
A well-crafted and accurate job description serves as the foundation for successful recruitment and lays the groundwork for attracting the right candidates. The objective is to give the candidate an accurate overview of the job role and help them determine whether they are fit for the job position. It not only sets clear expectations but also acts as a guiding document throughout the entire hiring process.
By ensuring the accuracy and clarity of a job description, employers can establish a strong foundation for talent acquisition and set the stage for a successful working relationship. Therefore, an ideal job description needs to be clear and concise. Additionally, it should be free of grammatical errors and technical jargon or buzzwords.
Let's delve deeper into the reasons why an accurate job description holds such significance and how it can shape the trajectory of your hiring endeavors.
Importance of an Accurate Job Description
When a recruiter is asked to look for new candidates, he must know the type of person to hire. This means the recruiter must clearly understand the candidates’ skills & knowledge, competencies, and previous experience. Inaccurate or outdated job descriptions can harm an organisation’s reputation and also lead recruiters to make bad hires. As a matter of fact, you must acknowledge the importance of the job descriptions that we have mentioned here.
#1 Attracts the Right Candidates
Let’s understand it with an example: John has a stomach disorder and needs to consult a doctor urgently. He visits a nearby clinic and finds a board outside the premises that mentions ‘Clinic.’ However, John enters the clinic only to discover it cures lung disease patients.
This is a clear example of how the absence of a clear description can attract the wrong person.
Similarly, if an organisation doesn’t draft a clear job description, it probably will invite the wrong candidates. As a result, the candidate selection process gets overwhelming, making it complex for recruiters to source suitable candidates.
A well-written job description clearly and accurately depicts the role, responsibilities, and required qualifications. This helps attract candidates who possess the necessary skills and experience, increasing the chances of finding the right fit for the position.
A complete and accurate job description enables the management to determine the type of training a new employee requires. In addition, a thorough job description supports the employee onboarding and training processes.
While it helps new hires understand their roles, responsibilities, and goals from the start, enabling them to align their efforts with the organization's expectations and hit the ground running, at the same time, hiring managers can create personalised training plans to place candidates in actionable positions.
#3. Assists Employee Engagement and Retention
Drafting a good job description means facilitating employee retention and satisfaction. This helps candidates understand what will be expected of them if they are hired, preventing misunderstandings and setting a foundation for success. On the contrary, an inaccurate job description puts employees in a situation where they might feel deceived. Moreover, it will generate more chances of them quitting their jobs.
A good job description lowers the chances of employees quitting positions. This is because the candidates are placed precisely in the job role dictated in the job posting during the initial stage.
#4. Measures Performance Shortcomings
After hiring an employee, job descriptions help in gauging performance. In addition, a job description acts as a standard against which you can measure an employee’s performance after the probation period ends or during the performance review process.
Hiring managers and team managers have a documented tool to measure employee performance. By this, we mean managers can detect performance shortcomings or areas where employees perform beyond expectations.
Well-crafted job descriptions potentially mitigate risks and limit liability. A clear and accurate job description helps ensure that the hiring process is fair and objective. It provides consistent criteria for evaluating candidates and minimizes the potential for bias or discrimination by focusing on the skills, qualifications, and requirements essential for the job.
Employers must ensure the description is legally compliant and meets the requirements.
Must-have Components of a Job Description
General overview
Job duties
Purpose of the job
Job’s goals and objectives
Scope of the work
Model of the work- in-office, work-from-home or hybrid
Competencies
Reporting hierarchy
Special conditions
Bottom Line
A job description is not a one-time activity; recruiters and hiring managers must revisit their approach to writing and updating job descriptions. It is an important tool for effective recruitment and successful talent management. Additionally, employers must re-evaluate and continually edit job descriptions to suit relevant scenarios.
Simply put, employers must focus on frequently reviewing job descriptions, eliminating parts of descriptions that are no longer required.
Cornerstone Global Partners (CGP) Singapore can help you source the right candidates supporting your organisation goals. Choosing us as your recruitment partner will expose you to our vast network of professionals.
We understand that each organization is distinctive, with its own set of requirements, culture, and vision. That's why we believe in creating customized solutions that align perfectly with your hiring goals. Our dedicated team of recruitment experts takes the time to truly understand your company's needs, values, and the specific skills and qualifications you seek in potential candidates.
The most important part of a job description is competencies. The part includes the knowledge, skills, and capabilities required to secure the position. Employers must give a detailed overview of competencies to help candidates assess whether they meet the requirements.
2. How can accurate job descriptions improve employee performance?
Writing accurate job descriptions lets employers note what they expect from the candidate. Moreover, job descriptions help employees to determine whether they match the job requirements. As a result, employers and employees reach a common spot. In other words, employees find themselves in a better position to perform their job as they are informed of the job duties and responsibilities before the interview.
