How to Write a Job Description

How to Write a Job DescriptionHow to Write a Job DescriptionTheres a lot of variety when it comes to job descriptions, from the overly casual to the dense, dry and daunting. Ideally, youll mix some art and science to create a balance of the must-have skills you need and the lokalitt you have to sell.Are your job descriptions for your open roles too laid back? Certain job descriptions scream super-fun workplace by leading with the companys informal culture (Shoes? What shoes?) and ample perks (Did we mention theres a dog park? And a nap room? Yeah, theyre just beyond the foosball tables). This type of job descriptions tone is casual, but job seekers may walk away not understanding the ins and outs of the position.On the other side of the spectrum, there are the job descriptions laden with company-specific jargon and idealistic dream lists of required skills. In addition, larger organizations can run the risk of creating job descriptions that feel more mass-produced than personalized, making it difficult for some candidates to connect with the company. Focusing strictly on work while neglecting play can make job descriptions - and companies - seem a little dull.The key is for hiring managers to write job descriptions that are both informative and inspiring. Remember, if the job youre describing isnt intriguing, you wont likely get the type of applicants youre seeking.HIRING? FIND CANDIDATES IN YOUR AREAA well-written job description can mean the difference between a trickle or a flurry of qualified applicants, says staffing expert Diane Domeyer, executive director of The Creative Group. Conversely, a poorly written job description can significantly expand the quantity of unqualified applicants. Writing a good job description requires an ability to prioritize essential skills and qualities while also selling your company to job seekers.In other words, hiring managers must walk a line when writing job descriptions. They must understand not only how to describe th e position and its must-have skills, but also how to sell both the position and the organizational culture to qualified candidates.Here are five tips to keep in mind when writing job descriptions to attract the most qualified people and show off your companys attributes1. Think of the job description as a blueprintIf you put time and thought into writing a job description, the rest of the hiring process should move along more easily. These are the key elements of a well-written job descriptionThe job or position title (and job code number, if applicable)The department within the organization in which the position existsThe reporting structure for the position, up and/or down, as applicableA brief summary of the position and its overarching responsibility or function or role within the organizationA list of the positions essential dutiesThe specific knowledge, skills, work history, or other experiences, training, language, or aptitudes required for the jobThe educational requirements for the job, such as degrees and industry-specific certificationsQualities or attributes that contribute to superior performance in the position.2. Update, update, updateMany jobs are far different from what they were a few years ago. As technology evolves and expanded skill sets are required, job descriptions may need to be updated more frequently. Think about what the job should entail based on your companys current needs and long-term objectives. Viewing the job description as a benchmark for performance of the successful candidate will help you determine if the description is accurate and thorough enough.3. Get your priorities in orderDont scare off a kompetenz top candidate by overdoing the must-haves. A laundry list of duties gives little insight into what is most important, and it can make good people shy away. Focus on the five or six crucial responsibilities of the position. Consider consulting high-performing employees in the same role for help developing the list of core duties and most valuable job skills.4. Dont hunt for unicornsYou may want a rock-star-of-all-trades, but that may require you to wait too long for the perfect candidate - if that person even exists. Does the job seeker fit your corporate culture? Is the experience youre asking for essential to excelling in the role, or are you setting unrealistic expectations? Can you offer professional development training that will help provide the skills needed to do the job?Be sure you know how to write a job description that is realistic and flexible so you dont limit your pool of qualified applicants, especially given the competition for top talent today.5. Show your personalityWhile you want to use clear and concise language, you also should give applicants a sense of your companys culture (read fun side). The right position at the wrong company can make a new hire walk right back out the door, which will cost you time and money. So tell a story or paint a picture about what its truly like to work for your company.As with any type of writing, one of the best ways to ensure youve hit the mark is to run your job description by a fellow manager or an employee in the position youre hiring for and incorporate their feedback. You might even turn to a professional copywriter if you need help choosing the right words.Although you may be in a hurry to fill a position, knowing the secrets to how to write a job description and taking some extra time to shine a favorable light on the job and the company is a worthy investment.

How to Be on a Team When Youre Not the Leader - The Muse

How to Be on a Team When Youre Not the Leader - The MuseHow to Be on a Team When Youre Not the LeaderEven the best leaders get invited to work on projects or teams in which they are not in charge. Maybe you need to learn new skills or gain knowledge, or maybe your boss just wants to see how well you play with others. Whatever the case, youre now in a situation you havent been in for a while. Learning to hold back a habitual behavior requires adopting a different mindset, which is easier said than done. Begin working on it by learning to think differently about how you add value at work. No, really, stop assuming your leadership skills are the only things that make you valuable (some of your other abilities may even be mora needed). Here are five ways to change up your thinking so you can be a strong team member- even when someone else is steering the ship1. Manage Your EgoLeaders often enjoy the status of being at the top, or in the position that everyone goes to for answers. Who doe snt like feeling powerful and smart?However, you need to switch that off to be a good team member or individual contributor. (The last thing you want to be is the person competing with the decision-maker for status and control.) Bonus Practicing humility will carry across all of your projects and make you more pleasant to report to as well.2. Dont Overstep (Even With Good Intentions)A common mistake leaders-as-team members make is trying to make the official person in charge look good. It sounds good- but it usually backfires. I was placed on a team that was being led by a person who used to work for me. Out of loyalty and support, I assumed it would be a good thing for me to not only do my job, but to put a little extra effort into making the leader look good. I did this by making sure he got credit for every success the team had. At the end of the project, he got feedback that he took credit for too much and didnt spread the love when it came to acknowledging everyone- and I had u nwittingly been the one to cause the schwierigkeit Your job is to just do your job. The leader can take care of himself. 3. Think Like a Student, Not a CriticUse the opportunity of being a contributor to study how others approach leadership. Dont second-guess how they should do things, watch how they actually go about them. When the opportunity presents itself, make the person in the leadership role your teacher. Study how she thinks about managing a team and how she approaches it. Assume she has a superpower you dont have and learn from her.4. Channel Your AbilitiesEven if youre not running point, you can still use your skills to help the team as a whole. In other words, lead yourself, and lead tasks or teams assigned to you.Remember, just because youre not in control doesnt mean you are off the hook for doing your best work (and whats best in this case is to supporting the work of the person in charge). 5. Model Ideal Follower BehaviorBeing a good follower is as tough as being a g ood leader, maybe tougher. Ask yourself How would I want someone on my team to do this job if I were running things? Then work on doing the job that way. People will take note of how ego-less and supportive you are.I worked with a CEO who felt he needed to take a follower role in an upcoming company-wide strategy session. His management team protested, because they were used to him leading the process. However, he appointed a manager two levels down to lead the session. To everyones surprise, the session was among the best in the companys history. Why? Because the CEO took a follower role which allowed others to rise to the surface with their ideas and insights. The leadership traits that people most appreciate are humility, authenticity, and integrity. Whatever role you hold on a given team or project, using these traits as a starting point will increase peoples respect and trust of you, and help you work collaboratively and effectively.

4 ways to fix a bad first impression at work

4 ways to fix a bad first impression at work4 ways to fix a bad first impression at workYou were behind a failure of epic proportions at work. But not only that - you just so happened to embarrass yourself while meeting your new anfhrer for the first time.Heres how to move forward in a more positive direction after making a bad first impression in the office.Be crystal clear about itThink about it You have nothing to lose.For Simon Sinek, author of Leaders Eat Last, it all boils down to honesty. In a recent Inc. video, he talks about how explaining that youre not proud of your first impression - and doing so over the phone, not sending an email - can be an effective tool.Heres the script he recommends using I think I came across poorly when I met you. I welches a little bit excitable and I think I was nervous and I just wanted to put it out tzu siche that I wasnt particularly proud of how I came across.Dont let them see you sweatTry not to get too tripped up by your mistake.Alysa Wishingrad writes on the JPatrick + Associates Executive Recruiters blog about how to keep your cool during an interview where youve come off the wrong way.Think back to the last time you were watching a live performance and a dancer slipped, or an actor flubbed their lines, Wishingrad writes. The dancer who seamlessly continues on with the choreography or the actor who allows the gaffe play in their favor often wind up as audience favorites. Its the ones who pull a face, or get so flustered they cant find their place that lose the audiences favor.Show the value of your contributionsProve that you have a lot to offer.Heidi Grant, Ph.D., author, Senior Scientist at the Neuroleadership Institute, and associate director for the Motivation Science Center at Columbia University, writes in the Harvard Business Review about employing what psychologists reportedly deem outcome dependency, which essentially means that others cant get what they want without cooperation from you.To create outc ome dependency, try to identify opportunities for collaboration. For example, if your supervisor has underestimated you, consider asking for an assignment that would allow you to work with her more closely. Its natural to shy away from people who dont think highly of you, but you need to fight that instinct and instead stick to them like glue if you hope to correct their misperceptions. Things will get much more comfortable once they begin to realize that youre not so bad after all, Grant writes.Switch things upLet them see you in a different light.Journalist, digital media consultant, and investor John Boitnott writes about how to do this in Entrepreneur.Some professionals have found that the best way to overcome a bad first impression is to show a completely different side of themselves. If youve made a joke and its fallen flat, follow up by showing your serious side. If you feel that youve overreached in your efforts to be professional and come across as pompous or rude, try to l ighten the mood with a little self-deprecating humor, Boitnott writes. Often revealing a completely different side of yourself can make a difference in showing that someone cant get to know you in just a few seconds.