Job descriptions or JD’s for short, usually provide us a snapshot of what the role may encompass on a day to day, the minimum qualifications set forth by the employer and the essential functions of the role.
I remember when I took on my current job about a year ago, a recruiter reached out to me and forwarded me the job description for review. I looked at it and the qualifications were right in line with my education and experience. The JD painted a picture for me of what the job entailed, which areas of HR I would have oversight of, what my main responsibilities were, who the position reported to, as well as physical essential functions of the job. I remember reading the job description and thinking it was a good fit for me and decided to move forward and interview for the company. The job description is below for review.
I recall being an applicant in the past for other positions and the JD deterred me from applying when my experience was not a match or if the position’s goals, areas of focus and day to day responsibilities are not in line with those that I enjoy. Therefore, job descriptions can attract candidates that fit the bill, but it can also cause candidates to select themselves out of the process if they don’t think their qualifications match and the job itself does not appeal to their interests.
Hi Nicte,
I really enjoyed reading your post and thought it was great you included your job description as a reference. For my position, I was never given anything formal like this, so it was really interesting for me personally to read the documents the company gave you. I also liked the approach you took on JDs and how they can attract, but also repel, potential candidates for applying for the job. Great post!
Hello @ Kellanne,
I am surprised to hear you received no job description in your role. In addition to the JD I was also given a scorecard with goals for the first 12 months. Its interesting that our company started with the “Who” scorecard system since December of 2019 and that is the book we are using for this class. It has really helped with our recruiting efforts.
Nicte
I completely agree that job descriptions can attract candidates as well as push them away. When reading job descriptions as a potential candidate you want to make sure like you said that they qualifications they are look for are something you can offer. Most people feel if they don’t have all of the qualifications they shouldn’t apply at all taking away a potential opportunity for them. I personally know that this is something I have done before because I felt that there was no point in applying since I didn’t have all the qualifications because someone who did would get the job before me. However, I think that how you mentioned you could imagine yourself in the position after reading the job description is great way for candidates to tell if they would be a good fit for the job, or is worth their time applying.
Madalyn,
Sometimes I think of JD’s as wishlists from the employer’s perspective. As the “Who” method indicates, ensuring you find someone that can achieve the goals of the position instead of someone that is great at many things is key.
Nicte