Job description

Job description
A job description is a list that a person might use for general tasks, or functions, and responsibilities of a position. It may often include to whom the position reports, specifications such as the qualifications or skills needed by the person in the job, or a salary range. Job descriptions are usually narrative,[1] but some may instead comprise a simple list of competencies; for instance, strategic human resource planning methodologies may be used to develop a competency architecture for an organization, from which job descriptions are built as a shortlist of competencies.

Creating a job description

A job description is usually developed by conducting a job analysis, which includes examining the tasks and sequences of tasks necessary to perform the job. The analysis considers the areas of knowledge and skills needed for the job. A job usually includes several roles. The job description might be broadened to form a person specification or may be known as Terms Of Reference

Roles and responsibilities

A job description may include relationships with other people in the organization: Supervisory level, managerial requirements, and relationships with other colleagues.

Goals
A job description need not be limited to explaining the current situation, or work that is currently expected; it may also set out goals for what might be achieved in future.

Limitations
Prescriptive job descriptions may be seen as a hindrance in certain circumstances:[2] Job descriptions may not be suitable for some senior managers as they should have the freedom to take the initiative and find fruitful new directions; Job descriptions may be too inflexible in a rapidly-changing organization, for instance in an area subject to rapid technological change; Other changes in job content may lead to the job description being out of date; The process that an organization uses to create job descriptions may not be optimal.

References
[1] Torrington & Hall. Personnel Management: A New Approach. Prentice Hall International. pp.205. ISBN0-13-658501-9. [2] Ungerson, 1983

Article Sources and Contributors

Article Sources and Contributors

Job description Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=515607805 Contributors: 78.26, A3RO, Acceleratorhams, Alansohn, AlexJFox, AlexS0907, Amorymeltzer, AvicAWB, Benben799, Bernburgerin, Bhadani, BigDunc, Bobrayner, Bonadea, Bryanbgsu, CTF83!, Captain-n00dle, Ckob2, CliffC, Cntras, D10hitman, DARTH SIDIOUS 2, DMacks, DVdm, Danieltimms1997, Dawn Bard, Dianahidalgo, Dockfish, Donquixote2u, Download, Epbr123, Eraserhead1, Escape Orbit, F, Immunize, Jondavis, Jujutacular, Kajervi, KuduIO, Kuru, MBisanz, Macy, Maksym Pomerko, Mannafredo, Mauler90, Max Naylor, Maxim, Metricopolus, Mike Restivo, Millermk, MithrandirAgain, Mjanulaitis, MrRadioGuy, N419BH, Naraht, NewEnglandYankee, Oxymoron83, Paduch, Phgao, Piano non troppo, PigFlu Oink, Possum, Recognizance, Red, Rumping, Ruy Pugliesi, S3000, SchuminWeb, Shadowjams, Sicco Jan Bier, Skarebo, Slakr, SoSaysChappy, Steven Zhang, Suffusion of Yellow, Telfordbuck, Tftaz, The Thing That Should Not Be, The Utahraptor, TheTrojanHought, Thomas Blomberg, Tide rolls, TimClicks, Tnxman307, Trident13, Tuxish, Washburnmav, Wavelength, WillMcC, Wjemather, Woohookitty, Yukida-R, 349 anonymous edits

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