GCC markets are gaining greater international prominence with the improved economic backdrop and the forthcoming Expo 2020 and Fifa World Cup 2022, which are likely to improve investment and employment. With companies ready to increase their headcount, employers are increasingly under pressure to tap the right candidate for the right job.
One of the key elements in finding better talent is having a well-written job description. It is the foundation for many important HR processes such as job posting, staffing, selection, expectation setting, compensation and performance management. A well-written job description should summarise the role and indicate its connection to the company vision. And a poorly written job summary can be a barrier to effective personnel management.
Here are five essential tips to create an effective job description that will stand out from the rest:
1. Make it accurate
The job description should not be a dull list of tasks and responsibilities, but a snapshot of the actual job requirements and a clear reflection of the company’s current needs. Keep in mind that tasks are the job output and skills are the attributes the new recruit should possess to perform a certain task. Therefore, before starting work on the job description, clarify what your company’s needs are, the tasks that need to be performed to meet those needs and the skills required for the successful completion of these tasks.
2. Choose a format that will simplify CV review
With the economy improving and the UAE’s profile as a career destination getting stronger, you may find yourself overwhelmed with hundreds of CVs in response to your job post. It is important to develop an effective review process to shortlist those CVs that actually match the job description. The easiest way to achieve this is to ask for measurable requirements in the job post: number of years of experience, current country of residence, qualifications, education degree, accreditations, languages spoken and so on. Applications can easily be reviewed and shortlisted based on this basic set of requirements.
3. Make it stand out
Use bold text to emphasise important parts, use bullet points to organise information, make it easy to read and always highlight what sets the company apart from other competitors. Brand your job post accordingly: for brand consistency, leverage your colours, graphics and company logo. Clearly highlight the opportunities and benefits the role offers: internal or external training; flexible working environment; health and wellness benefits; annual holiday entitlement; bonus opportunities. If there’s anything special about the workplace, such as a games room/relaxation room with big TV / 40-storey high view overlooking the ocean, mention it in the company description.
4. Details do matter
Try to make the job description as detailed as possible. Describe the level of accountability the job holds, the various departments and ranks the new hire will have to work with or the number of people he or she will have to manage. If the predecessor is still with the company when the job is being advertised, make sure they contribute to writing the job description. Ask other essential team members for input in regards to the tasks the new hire should be capable of performing. This will ensure you identify the job requirements and it will be easier to match them to specific skills and find the best job candidate.
5. Maximise your results
Make the job post work for you even after the hiring process is complete. If you have written a comprehensive description, detailing job responsibilities, tasks and expected impact on the organisation’s needs, you should be able to use this document as a checklist in assessing the recruit’s progress on the job. During appraisal meetings, the job description will help you assess whether or not the new hire is hitting the targets he or she was hired for.
Sanjay Modi is the managing director of the jobs portal Monster.com for India, the Middle East and South East Asia
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