How to Write A Job Description: Template and Examples 

What Is A Job Description? 

A job description is a formal document that outlines the specifics of a job position within an organization. It provides a detailed overview of the responsibilities, duties, qualifications, skills, and expectations associated with the role. Job descriptions serve multiple purposes, including recruitment, performance evaluations, and setting clear expectations for employees.

Below are some tips you may find useful when working on a job description for your next posting.

Components of a Job Description

A job description should adhere to a specific structure that includes such key components as: 

• Job title
• Job summary
• Job responsibilities and duties
• Required qualifications 
• Reporting Structure
• Working Conditions
• Salary
• Benefits
• Company Overview

Let’s break down each of the components in detail:

Job Title

The job title is a succinct description of the role, capturing its content, purpose, and scope. It indicates the position’s rank or level within the company’s hierarchy.

Job Summary

The job summary offers candidates a quick snapshot of the role, emphasizing its significance within the organization and outlining its primary goals. It helps candidates understand what the position entails and why it is essential.

Job Responsibilities and Duties

Job responsibilities and duties detail what a candidate will be doing in this role. Responsibilities cover the broader areas of accountability, while duties are specific tasks that need to be accomplished. This section provides candidates with a clear understanding of the daily expectations.

Required Qualifications 

This section of a job posting serves to screen applicants and see if they check all the boxes to qualify for the position. It ensures candidates have the essential skills, experience, and qualifications needed for the role.

• Experience: The experience section outlines the relevant work experience needed to excel in this role. It may specify the number of years required, previous roles held, functions performed, and specific skills acquired on the job. 

• Skills: The skills section lists the core abilities needed to perform the job successfully. These can include technical skills, such as proficiency with specific software, and soft skills, such as problem-solving or effective communication. 
• Education: This section outlines the educational requirements necessary for the job, such as the level of education (from a hich school diploma to a bachelor’s or master’s degree) and any other certifications that are fit for the job.
• Job Competencies: As organizations uphold certain values and work culture, this section will highlight those competencies and characteristics that are essential for the success withing the organization. They may include traits such as leadership, teamwork, adaptability, conflict resolution, decision-making abilities, and more. 

Reporting Structure

This section explains where the position fits within the company, detailing who the candidate will report to and who may report to him/her.

Working Conditions

Here, candidates will find information about the work environment, work schedule, travel requirements, physical demands, and other relevant conditions. You can also specify here if your company uses manual or automated time tracking tools that help manage work hours, track productivity, calculate wages accurately, comply with labor laws, and allocate resources efficiently. They also make it easier to assess employee performance, project progress, and monitor overall workforce management.

Salary

The salary section gives the candidate a clear idea of the compensation package for the role. It includes details like the base salary, the salary structure, and the hourly rate. 

Benefits

The benefits section highlights the extra perks that come with the job on top of the employee’s salary, adding to the overall job satisfaction. These can include healthcare coverage, paid time off, retirement plans, flexible work arrangements, professional development opportunities, employee discounts, and other incentives. 

Company Overview

An overview of the organization, its mission, values, and culture can be included to provide a broader context for the role.

A Job Description Template

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A Job Description Example

Sales manager job description

Job Title: Remote Sales Manager

Job Summary:  

We are seeking a motivated Remote Sales Manager to lead and manage our remote sales team. This role is crucial in achieving sales targets, driving revenue growth, and maintaining strong customer relationships. You will oversee the sales process, set ambitious sales goals, develop strategies, and ensure the team meets performance metrics.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and Motivate: inspire and guide a remote sales team to not just meet but exceed sales targets.
• Develop Strategies: craft and implement sales strategies aimed at driving significant revenue growth.
• Monitor Performance: keep a close eye on sales performance, offering coaching and feedback to team members.
• Collaborate: work closely with marketing and other departments to streamline and optimize sales processes.
• Conduct Evaluations: perform regular performance evaluations and provide necessary training to ensure team effectiveness.
• Maintain Relationships: build and maintain strong customer relationships, addressing any sales-related issues promptly.
• Prepare Reports: generate and present sales reports and forecasts for management review.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or related field.
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in sales, with at least 2 years in a managerial role.
• Skills: Strong communication skills, excellent leadership abilities, proficiency in CRM software, strategic planning skills.
• Competencies: Leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, decision-making, customer focus.

Reporting Structure: The Remote Sales Manager will report to the Director of Sales and oversee a team of remote sales representatives.

Working Conditions: This is a fully remote position with flexible working hours. Occasional travel may be required for meetings or conferences. The role can involve high-pressure situations and the need to consistently meet sales targets.

Salary: We offer a competitive base salary with potential bonuses based on sales performance. Our benefits package includes health insurance, retirement plans, and opportunities for professional development. We utilize automated time tracking software to manage work hours, track productivity, and ensure accurate wage calculations.

Benefits: Health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, flexible work arrangements, employee discounts, and other incentives provided by the employer.

Company Overview:  As an established international digital marketing firm with five years of experience, we prioritize diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our operations. Our commitment to respecting and celebrating diversity fuels innovation, creativity, and excellence in everything we do.

Tips for Writing Job Descriptions

Crafting job descriptions that clearly communicate the role is essential. Here are some tips to help you create effective job descriptions:

• Use clear and concise language to ensure the wording is easy to understand and to the point.
• Organize information with bullet points to make the job description easier to scan and read.
• Avoid using emojis to maintain a professional tone.
• Avoid slang to keep the tone professional.
• Choose simple words over complex ones and use straightforward sentence structures to avoid wordiness and enhance clarity.
• Utilize descriptive action verbs in the present tense, like “writes,” “operates,” and “performs,” to describe tasks.
• Limit abbreviations and acronyms; if you must use them, define them upon first use to prevent confusion.
• Be specific instead of using vague terms like “assists” or “handles.” Explain how the tasks are performed.
• Use gender-neutral language, such as “The candidate manages” instead of “He manages.”
• Maintain consistent terminology throughout to prevent confusion and ensure clarity.
• Group related requirements or tasks together to help the reader understand the role better.
• Include relevant keywords to improve the job description’s visibility in searches.