Job Description

After reworking the job description, applicants for the Web Developer role have a much better idea of what they can expect from the job.

• What does a Job Description cover?A Job Description really does what it says in the name – it describes a job. The Job Description document outlines the roles and responsibilities that the employee will perform during the course of their duties. It should also describe the necessary qualifications, skills, and experience for a candidate applying for the job. It may cover the salary band and benefits, depending on if the employer chooses to disclose them. Lastly, a job description should include a bit about the organization, its values, and its culture – plus any legal disclosures necessary within the hiring process.
• Where is a Job Description shared?Job Descriptions can be for both internal and external use. Commonly, a Job Description is shared externally as part of the recruiting process – it offers prospective applicants a chance to review the nature of the job, the required skills and experience, and get a sense of the organization’s culture before applying. Additionally, a Job Description is useful as an internal document, as it can give current employees and managers a reference for job expectations, serve as a document to compare against when assessing employees for performance issues or potential promotions, and even give employees an objective framework for showing great work or negotiating salary increases.
• Should a Job Description include salary or wage information?While in most locations in the United States there is no legal requirement to disclose salary or wage information up front, many employers are beginning to practice salary transparency and are sharing salary bands and wages in their Job Descriptions. This not only meets the demands and expectations of the highest-quality applicants, but it also ensures that money is not wasted recruiting and interviewing candidates only to find out at the end of the process that the applicant and the organization have incompatible salary expectations.
• Who writes a Job Description?A Job Description is typically written in collaboration between Human Resources and the Hiring Manager for the position being filled. The Hiring Manager will provide information on job duties, responsibilities, expectations, and requirements. To that, HR will ensure that the Job Description covers all legal bases; accurately shares any information about the company, pay, and benefits; and is fitting with the company’s employer branding and internal standards.