If you are a new business owner or experienced human resources professional, when you need to hire staff, you will need to write or edit a job description. To help you write an effective job description, here are some basics to consider.
A job description provides the following fundamental information:
- Summary of the job
- List of job duties & responsibilities to be performed
- Knowledge needed to complete the job successfully
- Education, certificate, or license requirements
- Years of experience, required or preferred
- Workdays, hours, shift expectations
- Instructions on how to apply (if button not already provided by the applicant tracking system)
When writing a job description, be specific. Walk through the job’s daily activities and document what is done, how it’s done, what is needed to do the job well. Provide descriptive information with action verbs to clearly define the expectations. List the minimum education and/or years of experience to set the basic criteria for reviewing applicants. Especially for hourly non-exempt jobs, be sure to list the workdays and hours needed so job seekers can consider their availability before applying. It is becoming an expectation to list the pay rate. For companies with 15 or more employees, it is now California law to include the pay scale in the job posting.
Other helpful information to include in a more detailed job description:
- Compensation, Rate of Pay
- More information about the company, mission, values
- Title/position the job will report to
- Soft skills and character traits/attributes
- Physical requirements relating to work conditions, safety, and ergonomics
- Benefits and perks offered
- Company social media links
- Awards, articles, or additional information about the company
- Employee insights or testimonials about the company culture, often using videos
With regards to the format, I believe it is most effective to list brief descriptions using bullet points. Applicants spend minimal time skimming information on the web, particularly if on their mobile phone. Therefore, simplify your job descriptions by using a format that is quick to read. The order of the bullet points should start with the more important or most common duties at the top.
Depending on the website/system where you are posting the job, fill in as much information (fields) as possible to help to answer job seekers questions in advance. Doing this may also save you recruiting time by filtering out applicants that do not meet your criteria.
Below is a sample job description.
----
Caregiver
Location: Pleasanton, CA
Location Type: Onsite
Job Type: Part-Time
Hours: 20-25 hours per week, including weekends, during evening/night shift between 7:00 pm – 7:00 am
Pay: $17-$20 per hour, depending on experience
Job Summary
Under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, the Caregiver will provide personal care assistance to an in-home patient during the evening/night shift. As an attentive and trustworthy caregiver, you will assist patient with personal tasks and daily activities.
Job Duties & Responsibilities
- Assist with personal care and maintaining general hygiene
- Assist with daily living activities such as eating, dressing, grooming, transferring (walking), toileting, bathing
- Provide medication reminders
- Support physical activity, ensuring the safety of the patient
- Provide companionship, encouragement, friendly conversation
- Observe and communicate any changes in condition and behavior to the supervisor
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications & Requirements
- High School Diploma, GED or equivalent
- CPR certification is required
- No prior experience required. Preference given to those with prior caregiving experience or related training.
- Must have a valid driver license in good standing and reliable transportation
- Must pass criminal background check and health screening tests
Desired Attributes
- Patient, respectful, and empathetic demeanor
- Desire to work with elderly or infirmed person who needs assistance
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
How to Apply
Click on the Apply button below.