Does your job description pinpoint the critical elements of successful job performance? Are only the essential duties listed? Does the wording clearly communicate the desired outcome of the work?
The CRC human resources office recently distributed "Job Description Tips" as a resource for rewriting job descriptions. Some of the other tips I found most helpful include:
- Don't ignore the decision-making aspects of the job
- Avoid using vague language
- Begin each section with an active verb, third person singular. Always use present tense.
What about your job description? No one knows what you do better than yourself so you may be the best person to rewrite the description.
In addition to this list, two other resources are available on the Network for rewriting job descriptions. These include the "Job Analysis Questionnaire" and "Job Description Word List." The word list provides 37 suggested action verbs for writing better descriptions.
Do you have other tools you have found helpful in writing effective job descriptions?
Comments
Thank you Sheri for these practical helps. They are exceptionally helpful. Administration is a spiritual gift (cf. the interesting Greek word "cybernesis," I Cor. 12:28) that often goes overlooked, but not by those who know that a good administrator can be the glue that holds a church's ministry together.
Thanks, Sheri, for this information! In my role of supporting church staff members, I have a number of sample job descriptions that I would be happy to pass along to anyone who would like to see them. I can be contacted at [email protected]
Jeanne Kallemeyn, Pastor-Church Relations, CRCNA
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