Job Analysis and Job Descriptions
What is Job Analysis?
The analysis of the work and the employee characteristics needed to perform the work successfully.
What is Job Description?
Defining the identification (Title, department, positions to report to, ect.), summary, task statements, and working conditions of the job.
Why do these matter?
Job analysis allows companies to design or redesign jobs based on the results of their research. From what they learn regarding the needs of the company, they can develop job descriptions to fill roles appropriately. A clear and accurate job description is necessary for both the employer and employee, ensuring that both parties feel like they are a good fit for the role.
In my personal experience with job descriptions, from working part-time jobs throughout high school and college, job descriptions allowed me to ‘Shop’ for the right job for me. If the job descriptions stated something that I knew I wasn’t experienced in, or something I wouldn’t find satisfaction in doing, I would know this isn’t a good choice for me. Opposingly, if a job description is well spelled out and includes areas I could be successful in, then I would be drawn to that role. This is crucial for employers to effectively fill the roles in their company.
Challenges and Risk
With that said, jobs are constantly fluctuating and adapting, companies are challenged with staying up to date with their data analysis to appropriately make changes to their companies roles as they see best fit. When a role changes while being filled, its the companies responsibility to redevelop the job description and communicate with the employee so they understand the new expectations. Without clear communication of these job descriptions, tasks could get missed or end up in the wrong hands. There is also a risk of an increase in employee grievances with unclear job expectations such as if one employee began to gain a large load of responsibilities without compensation and vise versa, if an employee lost job responsibilities and felt lost in their role.
Developing these changes within the company isn’t an easy task. It can take some convincing of the company to understand why the change is necessary towards the success of the company, but strong job analysis can make it clear. Job analysis can be determined by interviews, questionnaires, observations, and diaries to understand where change is needed. This world is always changing and if companies don’t adapt and change their roles to maximize their efficiency they will fall behind their competitors. This is a large but important role of upper management that greatly affects the overall success of the company
