What Is a Job Description?
A job description is a document that clearly states essential job requirements, job duties, job responsibilities, and skills required to perform a specific role. A detailed job description will cover how success is measured in the role so it can be used in performance evaluations.
Job descriptions are also known as job specifications, job profiles, JDs, and position descriptions (job PD).
Our job description directory contains job description examples covering most roles. We have examples of job descriptions you can quickly download and modify to suit your unique business requirements. You'll find a job description for most common jobs.
Starting with a sample job description will make sure you do not miss any of the key requirements for a role and new hires will have a better understanding of what their role is. We also have a job description template if you prefer to work from that as well as a guide to how to write a job description.
Job Descriptions by Industry:
FAQs:
How do you write a job description?
- Download a job description template.
- Add the official internal job title.
- Summarize the role in the opening paragraph.
- Detail the essential job duties and job responsibilities.
- Detail the essential requirements and qualifications.
- Define success in the role.
- State who the role reports to.
- Have it verified by the hiring manager and HR.
Why do you need a job description?
Properly written job position descriptions are often the only documents that totally define what a role is, what skills are required to perform it, and where the role fits in an organization. This makes it simple to identify candidates that are a good fit for the role and also to hold candidates accountable if they are not performing essential duties that are required in the role.
What is the difference between a job specification and a job description?
A job specification could be considered a more precise job description that details the exact educational degrees, experience, skills, and requirements for a role. In most cases, these terms are used interchangeably and nearly always describe the same document.
What are some tips on how to write a professional job description?
Make sure the title of the job position and description match. Do your research. If you're not familiar with the job, talk to someone who is and have them help with the description. Make sure it clearly defines the goals of the position and a timeline for reaching them.
Do you have an example of a good job description I can check out?
Yes! Check out our sample job descriptions above, as well as our guide on how to write a job description. You should find everything you need to model your description on.
Do your job descriptions contain work duties?
Our job descriptions contain the most common job duties list for each position. This should help you get your description written really quickly, although you may need to add job duty or job responsibility information that's specific to your position.
Is there a difference between a job description and a role description?
Generally these are the same thing. In some regions or countries role description is more common, but most of the United States uses job description.