Feedback Form
Home Features Mastermind Forums About Advertise Blog Network Contact Be An Author

How to Write Better Job Descriptions

How to Write Better Job Descriptions

I never understood why job descriptions were such banal documents with no structure, but a laundry list of task-driven responsibilities instead – responsibilities that pretty much look the same from one organization to another.   That makes no sense.  They’re more than  that.  Or, they could be.  Meanwhile, what they shouldn’t be are generic copy/paste instruments borrowed from the Internet or someone else’s workplace.  That approach deprives a company of its originality.  No, rather their contents should show a relationship to the larger organization, so that the person who occupies the role actually understands his or her relationship to the larger organization.   That’s key.

The other shortcoming of job descriptions today is that they perpetuate silos.  They tend to force people into vertical functions and take a micro view only. The danger in that is that they then shape an organization filled with people like horses who have blinders on.  As a result, it becomes more of a challenge, if not impossible, to create a service-oriented culture with employees whose jobs are tied to broader, not individual, business results.

There are some easy ways to broaden the lens through which jobs can be constructed and written.  Think about, and then answer. the questions below before downloading the usual job minutia out of context, which ultimately falis to consider how the job itself contributes to the business’ success and bottom line.

1. What results do you expect the job to produce for the company? These are quantifiable contributions.
2. What individual or group of individuals does this role service?  This can be internally or externally.  The point is that everyone in an organization relies on someone else to get work done.  We call whoever that is a “Client or Service Group.”
3. What expectations can you place on the person in the job to promote the company? This is about branding and ensuring not only that employees represent the organization in a positive light, but also that everyone is doing what he or she can to drive the organization forward.
4. What administrative duties need to be accomplished? This is typically what make up most job descriptions.  But you can see, it’s only part of it.
5. What does the job look like in execution mode?  This is what the organization expects behaviorally from its employees.  In other words, how the company wants the employee to carry out his or her duties.
6. What is the purpose of the role in its placement of the organization?
7. What is the specific objective of the job?





How to Write Better Job Descriptions - To learn more about this author, visit Donna Flagg's Website.

Like this article? Share it with your friends

Article Feedback
 Article Feedback No article feedback found.
  Leave Your Feedback
article feedback

Article Feedback

To learn more about the Evan Elite Author Program please contact us.

About The Author


Donna Flagg
(Visit Donna's Website) Donna Flagg spent 15 years in sales, management and training before becoming a consultant specializing in organizational development and its relationship to business results. Her management career began in sales at CHANEL, and before branching out on her own to launch Krys alis, she spearheaded a new training function within the Investment Banking Division at Goldman Sachs. After earning a BA from Rutgers University and gaining experience on the front lines of Corporate America, Donna went on to attend New York University’s Graduate School of Education where she obtained a Masters Degree in Organizational Development and Human Resource Management, and a post graduate degree in Business Education. She has also been a visiting instructor and speaker at New York University through Delta Pi Epsilon. In addition, she speaks at various conferences including those conducted by The Business Leadership Network and The Conference Board. Donna is currently a blogger on ExpertBusinessSource.com and frequently quoted in the press for her workplace expertise. She has also been a guest on The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, Life’s Work with Lisa Belkin and The Joan Hamburg Show.  Her first book on workplace communications titled, Su rviving Dreaded Conversations comes out this fall.

Donna Flagg is a Platinum author on EvanCarmichael.com
About The Author

View Author Blog
View Author Blog

View Author Video
View Author Video

Free Downloads


Donna Flagg's

Complete
List Of
Human-Resources
Articles

Name
Email
If you enjoyed this article, get Donna Flagg's Complete List of Human-Resources Articles For FREE!

More Donna Flagg
Finding and Forming Your Corporate Identity
HR Departments Making Structure Make Sense
Giving Employees a Test Run Before Hiring
Tips on Managing Generations X and Y
Organizational Alignment The Importance of Building HR Infrastructure
Team Building Worth the Money or a Waste of Time
How to Handle Discrimination Claims
A Better Way to Implement Mentoring Programs
Social Media Management in the Workplace
Employee Promotions Worthy and Ready
Free Downloads


 
 
 


Evan Elite Authors
Dave Kurlan  
Jeff Foster  
Dianne Crampton  
Evan Elite Authors

Become An Author
Have you written articles that would be of value to entrepreneurs? Become an expert on our site by publishing them! Expose yourself to a wide audience, drive more traffic to your website and get more sales! Click Here for details.
Become An Author

Evan's Latest Video
Modeling the Masters: Learn the true secrets behind Walt Disney's business success factors & grow your company! Video produced by Phanta Media
Evan's Latest Video

Business Opportunities
"Learn straight from Evan how you can Make a Full Time Income (And More) from a Website"

How to Start An Online Business

Click Here To Learn More
Business Opportunities



Evan's Newsletter
Get advice & tips from famous business owners, new articles by entrepreneur experts, my latest website updates, & special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Name:
Email:
Evan`s Newsletter

Free Downloads
Auditory, visual preference? Icon Auditory, visual preference?
How Search Engines Work Icon How Search Engines Work
Benefit From Analytics Icon Benefit From Analytics
Success & Happiness Icon Success & Happiness
Balanced Leadership Icon Balanced Leadership
Free Downloads - Complete List

Entrepreneur Tools and Guides
Email The Reporters
Email The Reporters
Press Release Builder
 
Top 50 Business Plan Blog Posts for 2008
Top 50 Business Plans
Top Business Plan Blogs
 
Entrepreneur Tools and Guides

SEO For Africa
SEO For Africa
Salina Amadu Cape Coast, Ghana,
Salina Amadu
Cape Coast, Ghana
SEO For Africa

If I Were A Startup...
Jeff Roick, $1.4 to $6.5 Mil in 2 years
Jeff Roick
$1.4 to $6.5 Mil in 2 years
Dana Zita, > $2.5 Mil in revenues
Dana Zita
> $2.5 Mil in revenues
If I Were A Startup... - Complete List

Famous Entrepreneurs
Martha Stewart, MLSO
Craig Newmark, Craigslist
Craig Newmark
Craigslist
Famous Entrepreneurs - Complete List

Entrepreneur Advice
Ask Michael Gerber, Reader Questions
Ask Michael Gerber
Reader Questions
Guy Kawasaki, The Art of the Start
Guy Kawasaki
The Art of the Start
Entrepreneur Advice - Complete List

Popular Articles
(Premium Authors)

     Three Types of Marketing Your Small Business Needs to Grow
By Stacy Karacostas
     How to Get Your Marketing Materials Read
By Stacy Karacostas
     How to Get All the Clients You Can Handle Banging Down Your Door
By Stacy Karacostas

Have A Suggestion?
Toronto Salsa Classes / Toronto Salsa Lessons Email us your ideas on how to make our website more valuable! Thank you Sharon from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for your suggestions to make the newsletter look like the website and profile younger entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez and Sean Combs!
Have A Suggestion?

More Evan Carmichael
More Information