What Do You Mean by Job Description? One of the most important outputs of job analysis is the job description. The job description comes in a wide variety of forms, but whatever the form, it attempts to provide what its title states-statements of facts that describe the job. In most eases, however, job analysis data are revived, edited and then formative into the job description.
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A job description is a written statement of what the jobholder does, how it is done. and why it is done. It should accurately portray job content, environment, and conditions of employment. A common format for a job description includes the job title, the duties to be performed, the distinguishing characteristics of the job, and the authority and responsibilities of the jobholder.
Many authors have defined job description as follows –
According to Gary Dessler, – “Job description is a list of job duties, responsibilities, reporting relationships, working conditions, and supervisory responsibilities.”
DeCenzo and Robbins have defined, – “A job description is a written statement of what the job holder does, how it is done, under what conditions it is done and conditions of employment. It should accurately portray job content, environment and conditions of employment”.
Edwin B. Flippo has defined, – “A job description is an organized, factual statement of the duties and responsibilities of the specific job. In brief, it should tell what is to be done, how it is done, and why it is done?”
A job description is a written statement of what the job holder actually does, how he or she does it, and under what conditions the job is performed. This information is in turn used to write a job specification that lists the knowledge, abilities, and skills needed to perform the job satisfactorily.
There are some features of the job description. The presence of these features makes the job description program a success. On the other hand, the absence of these features job description programs may not serve its purpose as per desire. Therefore, the person concerned should be very careful in describing jobs. Some important features are listed below –