How to Write A Job Description, 7 Things You Need to Know

A job description details a job opening to potential applicants. It needs to include the day to day responsibilities and duties of a role, and the skills and requirements for the role.


Creating a job description template for all roles in the company will mean you can quickly hire a replacement for any open positions. A job description should be easy to understand and clearly list what an applicate would need to be suitable for the role.


5 Parts to A Job Description

There are five parts to a good job description.

  1. An accurate and concise job title
  2. A paragraph summary of the job
  3. A brief description of what success would look like in this role 30 days in, after the first quarter, and after the first year
  4. The specific job responsibilities for this job
  5. Essential qualifications


After you have written a job description, you should have somebody proofread it, ask the hiring manager and HR sign off, and publish it where employees can see the job opening.

What Information Should a Job Description Contain?

  • Job title
  • Brief of the role
  • Required tasks and responsibilities
  • Skills and qualifications

What Is the Purpose of a Job Description?

A job description can be useful in many different ways:

  • It can advertise a job description
  • It can summarize what is expected of employees in that role
  • It lists responsibilities of the role
  • It provides expertise and qualification requirements for the job

How Can I Improve My Job Description?

Make sure everyone works off the same template, so job descriptions are consistent across the company. Define the expectations of the employee for the first 30 days, 90 days, 180 days, and the first year.

How Do I Write Job Descriptions?

  • Use verbs
  • Provide plenty of details
  • Research the role and what skills are required
  • Communicate the expectations of the role
  • Explain the standards the role will be held to


Effective job descriptions are short but detailed. There should be no confusion as to the requirements for the roles and what will be expected of a candidate when successfully.

How Do I Write an Appealing Job Description?

  • Avoid superlatives and adjectives
  • Focus on the responsibilities and development requirements
  • Ensure the job description is engaging
  • Ask current employees for advice about the role
  • Establish urgency

How Do I Write a Job Description For a Job I Have Not Done?

It can be intimidating to write job descriptions when you have never done the job you are writing about. Talk to people who currently do the role and ask them for guidance on the responsibilities.