How to Prepare a Job Description
- 1). Understand the requirements of the position by interviewing those who have held the position in the past or who are currently doing so. This may include contacting those at other companies, not just your own. Ask about the mental and physical tasks involved in the job, the methods/equipment used, the goals/expectations of the position (i.e., quotas) and the qualifications.
- 2). Organize the information gathered during the interviews into three sections: responsibilities, tasks and qualifications. Then prioritize the contents of each section to indicate to the reader which responsibilities/tasks/qualifications are most important. Begin each responsibility and task with a verb (maintain, sort, order, formulate) and each qualification with an adjective (good driving record, strong communication skills) or a noun (ability to lift 50 pounds, supervisory experience).
- 3). Include basic information like title, department and direct report. If necessary, include the hours required (night shift, part-time, job share) and whom the person in the position would be expected to work with.
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