Human Resource Blog

Job Descriptions in Virginia

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We are revamping our hiring processes in our Virginia company and understand that there are some legal reasons to have an official job description that has some set fields completed. Can you please explain what those are?

Sure. A good job description, no matter where your company is, is important when it comes to not only ensuring that you hire a person that can fit the needs of the company, but also that you are hiring someone that knows that is expected of him or her prior to joining the company. Here are some of the basic fields that need to be completed in order for your job description to be legally effective:

Summarize the job with the job title. Your job applicants need to be clear about what position they are interviewing for. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Dictionary of Occupational Titles might help you determine which title is appropriate for which position. Be sure that the title accurately depicts the job. For example, you would not want to call someone a manager if they do not manage anyone or anything.

Outline responsibilities. Make sure that you describe which responsibilities are general and which are specific. For example, if you are hiring a chef for a restaurant, then a general responsibility might describe methods of preparing foods or cleaning the kitchen. Specific responsibilities might include preparing meals or composing a menu.

Make sure that you outline necessary skills for the job. As such, list the skill that are essential to the job and be sure not to create a simply laundry list of skills (such lists might be considered discriminatory depending on what skills you include.) You might also want to take this opportunity to differentiate between which skills are primary and which skills are secondary. For example, for a hotel receptionist, a primary skill might include the ability to manage multiple calendars. A secondary skill might be the ability to handle high-stress situations.

Indicate whether or not experience is required for a particular position. Experience is different from having skills. It is always best to list preferred experience information, such as two years in the same role or no experience required.

Indicate what credentials, if any, are required for the position. Credentials might include licenses, degrees or certificates.