Orienting New Employees: More Powerful with a Results-Oriented Job Description

When you need to orient new employees to what their jobs entail, don’t start by hauling out operations and procedures manuals. Instead, use the job description which already contains an outline of what an employee needs to know.

“Here’s this, and by the way, here’s that. And, oh yes, don’t forget this.” Amidst a deluge of disorganized information, most folks just aren’t going to remember what they need to know. Job descriptions organize the orientation process and eliminate haphazardness.

Still, a job description that only lists tasks and duties misses an important organizing feature: Why this information is important?

A Results-Oriented Job Description clarifies the result that must be accomplished by performing the tasks and duties, and provides an umbrella under which the tasks and duties make more sense.

The following Job Orientation Guide is arranged as a checklist, and includes a place to identify organization standards and procedures for each job requirement.

Job Orientation Guide A guide for the specific way job responsibilities are accomplished according to organization standards and procedures.

WAITER-WAITRESS 1. PREPARES TABLES FOR DINING by  cleaning and covering tables; Organization standards and procedures:

______________________________________________________________________

 setting utensils, napkins, decorations, condiments, candles, and service plates.

Organization standards and procedures:

______________________________________________________________________

2. HELPS DINERS SELECT FOOD AND BEVERAGES by  presenting menu; Organization standards and procedures:

______________________________________________________________________

 suggesting courses; Organization standards and procedures:

______________________________________________________________________

 explaining daily specials; Organization standards and procedures:

______________________________________________________________________

 answering food preparation questions; Organization standards and procedures:

______________________________________________________________________

 offering beverages; Organization standards and procedures:

______________________________________________________________________

 identifying appropriate wines.

Organization standards and procedures:

______________________________________________________________________

3. TRANSMITS ORDERS TO KITCHEN AND BAR by  recording diners’ choices; Organization standards and procedures:

______________________________________________________________________

 identifying diners’ special dietary needs and requests; Organization standards and procedures:

______________________________________________________________________

 noting timing of meal progression.

Organization standards and procedures:

______________________________________________________________________

4. SERVES FOOD AND DRINKS by  picking-up and delivering items from bar, kitchen, and service areas.

Organization standards and procedures:

______________________________________________________________________

5. MAINTAINS DINING EXPERIENCE by  inquiring of needs; removing courses as completed; Organization standards and procedures:

______________________________________________________________________

 replenishing utensils; Organization standards and procedures:

______________________________________________________________________

 refilling water glasses; Organization standards and procedures:

______________________________________________________________________

 being alert to spills or other special needs.

Organization standards and procedures:

______________________________________________________________________

6. CONCLUDES DINING EXPERIENCE by  acknowledging choice of restaurant; Organization standards and procedures:

______________________________________________________________________

 inviting diners to return.

Organization standards and procedures:

______________________________________________________________________

7. OBTAINS DINING REVENUES by  totaling charges; Organization standards and procedures:

______________________________________________________________________

 issuing bill; Organization standards and procedures:

______________________________________________________________________

 accepting payment; Organization standards and procedures:

______________________________________________________________________

 returning change or credit card.

Organization standards and procedures:

______________________________________________________________________

8. PROTECTS RESTAURANT AND DINERS by  adhering to sanitation, safety, and alcohol beverage control policies.

Organization standards and procedures:

______________________________________________________________________

9. IMPROVES WAITER/WAITRESS JOB KNOWLEDGE by  attending training sessions; Organization standards and procedures:

______________________________________________________________________

 reading technical publications.

Organization standards and procedures:

______________________________________________________________________

10. CONTRIBUTES TO FOOD SERVICE AND RESTAURANT SUCCESS

 welcoming related, different, and new requests Organization standards and procedures:

______________________________________________________________________

 helping others accomplish job results Organization standards and procedures:

______________________________________________________________________



Orienting New Employees: More Powerful with a Results-Oriented Job Description - To learn more about this author, visit Roger Plachy's Website.

Like this article? Share it with your friends

E-Mail | Print | More

Related Articles
How to Write a Results-Oriented Job Description
	Job descriptions are necessary to communicate job responsibilities to employees, but you’ll waste your valuable time writing traditional task-oriented job descriptions. Instead, write job descriptions in a powerful ...
We Believe in Job Descriptions, But They Have to be Results-Oriented
	“Please don’t make me write a job description; I’ve got better things to do.” No you don’t if you want to be an effective communicator. No job description, no clear expectations, and then you’ll spend your time clea...
Human Resources Job
	Advertising a human resources job available within your company is the same as any other position, and key to all of them is writing the most adequate and best possible job description that you can. Today, in a busi...
Writing Description Tags to Attract Visitors
	If your title tag is considered the headline, then think of your description tag as the ad copy below the headline. A good description tag will compel the reader to visit your website, when viewed in the search resu...
Janitorial Power
	Everyone in your organization should be as powerful as possible. Think about it…When your janitor is powerful, the CEO doesn’t need to mop the floors!

---

Related Forum Posts
	Re: Mompreneur Magazine - good read
	CEOs and Email - Slaves?
	New Profile - Li Ka Shing
	Mompreneur Magazine - good read
	Where I want WSI to be in Dec 31 2007
	CNN says Companies with women owners more profitable
	Re: How to be green?
	Risking home