recruitment - job description
What is a job description?
A job description sets out the purpose of a job, where the job fits into the organisation structure, the main accountabilities and responsibilities of the job and the key tasks to be performed.
Why is a job description important?
A job description has four main uses:
Organisation - it defines where the job is positioned in the organisation structure. Who reports to who.
Recruitment - it provides essential information to potential recruits (and the recruiting team) so that they can determine the right kind of person to do the job (see person specification)
Legal - the job description forms an important part of the legally-binding contract of employment
Appraisal of performance - individual objectives can be set based on the job description
Contents of a Job Description
The main contents of a job description are:
- Job Title: this indicates the role/function that the job plays within an organisation, and the level of job within that function (e.g. Finance Director would be a more senior position than Financial Accountant - although both jobs are in the "finance department")
- Reporting responsibilities: who is the immediate boss of the job holder?
- Subordinates; who reports directly TO the job holder?
- Main purpose - who is involved in the job overall
- Main tasks and accountabilities: description of the main activities to be undertaken and what the job holder is expected to achieve (e.g. in the case of the Management Accountant, this might include "Complete monthly management accounts by 10th working day of each month and prepare report on all key performance variances")
- Employment conditions
tutor2u is the leading global publisher of e-learning resources for Economics, Business, Politics, Enterprise, Law, Sociology, Religious Studies and related subjects. Our materials are used by over 3,500 schools and colleges in the UK and in educational institutions in over 85 other countries. tutor2u offers a range of free and subscription-based materials - designed to support teachers and inspire students. The business also runs a popular series of student revision workshops and teacher conferences. tutor2u was named Online Learning Resource of the Year at the prestigious BETT Show - the World's leading educational show.
|
Privacy & terms of Use |
Contact us |
Teacher Newsletters & Subject Blogs |

