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The challenges of writing a job description

Posted on October 29th, 2013 Read time: 1 minutes

A smooth hiring process starts with  a carefully written job description. Unfortunately, many executives and managers find this to be a difficult step. According to a survey by The Creative Group, the subtleties of skills and duties can be a challenge to translate to the written word.

The survey revealed 28 percent of American executives had trouble identifying the necessary interpersonal and soft skills in a job description, making it the most cited difficulty in crafting a description. The next frequent areas of trouble were identifying duties that are essential versus "nice to have" (24 percent) and accurately describing job duties (24 percent).

A job description that is well-written can mean a rush of qualified applicants to the company's doors. according to Diane Domeyer, executive director of The Creative Group.

"Conversely, a poorly written job description can significantly expand the quantity of unqualified applicants," she said. A surplus of unqualified candidates is not only a hassle, but a waste of time for the company.

Managers and HR services need to carefully consider what skills the job requires and prioritize them accordingly on the job description. Meanwhile, they need to make sure both the company and position are appealing to attract the attention of the most qualified candidates.

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