If your company doesn’t take the time to write strong job descriptions, you run the risk of hiring employees who really don’t have the skills, backgrounds and other characteristics you need.

Here are some tips to help you create effective job descriptions.

Tip 1: All job descriptions will have basically the same sections: the job title, the department, supervisor’s name and title, required qualifications, the essential functions of the job and anticipated results.

Tip 2: Use action verbs. As you flesh out the different functions of a position, be sure you begin each statement with an action verb (organize, supervise, repair, create, educate, etc.).

Tip 3: Be clear and specific. Stay away from the vague; this only serves to confuse you and job candidates. Aim to create a job description that is as specific as possible regarding what the successful job candidate will do on a day-to-day basis.

For example, instead of “must possess good communications skills,” aim for something along the lines of “must be comfortable communicating with all levels of company personnel, from executives to management to line workers. Or, instead of “heavy lifting,” write that “this position requires lifting up to 40 pounds at a time and maneuver on ladders and tight spaces.”

Tip 4: Make sure the job description includes the full scope of the position, which could include job duties that may have to be performed less frequently than others. The more comprehensive the job description, the better.

Tip 5: The job description must comply with the FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act).

Tip 6: Understand that job descriptions change and evolve. Take a look at your job descriptions and review them to make sure they still describe the duties and tasks the people now in them actually do.

Tip 7: Understand the difference between tasks and qualifications. Remember that tasks are the things a person in a certain position does while qualifications are the skills, experience and credentials someone needs in order to be able to perform the tasks well and successfully.

Tip 8: As such, make sure that any licenses, credentials and/or academic degrees that you give as required for a position actually are needed in order to perform the job. In other words, the degrees, etc. you require should be essential to actually doing the job.

Tip 9: be careful to not create a position that no one could fill. Don’t be so strict on qualifications, requirements and tasks that you create a job that would could only be performed by the perfect person — such a job candidate doesn’t exist.

When looking for great IT professionals, look not further than The Wellspring Group. We can deliver customized staffing solutions to help you find the “good guys” in IT when you need them. Contact us today!