Guidelines for Writing a Job Description

Introduction:

These guidelines are designed to help managers and supervisors establish the proper relationship between position descriptions, performance planning, expectations and performance evaluation.

Position descriptions form the foundation for several important areas of human resource management including:

- Planning: Position descriptions document the delegations of the responsibilities and objectives of a work unit to individual positions.   They can help managers pinpoint staffing gaps or identify overstaffing.   They are valuable in making decisions about realigning or changing organizational structures.

- Recruiting and Screening: Accurate position descriptions provide the basic information about open positions which is required to make a good match between the candidate's qualifications and the job's demands.

- Orientation: Giving the newly hired employee a position description to review serves as an introduction to the job and provides a framework for performance expectations.

- Training and Development: Well-written position descriptions identify the education, experience, and skills necessary to effectively and safely perform the job.   They can help employees pinpoint their own weaknesses and help supervisors tailor appropriate training programs.

- Career Ladders: Accurate position descriptions are a tool in developing upward mobility programs.   A study of position descriptions can reveal the relationships among certain jobs and the knowledge and skills needed to advance from one job to another.

- Position Classification: Position descriptions make it possible to identify job elements, factors, and levels, which in turn make it possible to classify jobs in the appropriate series and at the appropriate level.

- Compensation: Equitable pay structures are based on the external and internal comparison of jobs.   A well-written position description facilitates accurate matches to... [continues]

Read full essay

Cite This Essay

APA

(2011, 10). Guidelines for Writing a Job Description. StudyMode.com. Retrieved 10, 2011, from http://www.studymode.com/essays/Guidelines-For-Writing-A-Job-Description-802733.html

MLA

"Guidelines for Writing a Job Description" StudyMode.com. 10 2011. 10 2011 <http://www.studymode.com/essays/Guidelines-For-Writing-A-Job-Description-802733.html>.

CHICAGO

"Guidelines for Writing a Job Description." StudyMode.com. 10, 2011. Accessed 10, 2011. http://www.studymode.com/essays/Guidelines-For-Writing-A-Job-Description-802733.html.