What Are Job Duties?

5th July 2023

Navigating through the world of employment, our focus turns to a fundamental component that holds a position together – the job duties. These constitute the daily tasks, obligations, and functions that come together to form the day-to-day reality of any job holder. Insight into job duties is not only essential for shaping the nature of the role, but it’s also pivotal when crafting compelling job descriptions. A well-detailed account of job duties can be instrumental in attracting job applicants and setting realistic expectations for potential candidates, ultimately ensuring a suitable fit.

In this article, ‘What Are Job Duties?’, we’re going to emphasise the importance of accurately defining and including job duties in job descriptions. For employers and Hiring Managers, we aim to demonstrate how a well-constructed outline of job duties can drastically enhance the hiring process and engage your target audience. For job seekers, understanding these work duties can provide a clear picture of what a role entails. So, whether you’re on a quest to hire new employees or looking to be hired, this comprehensive guide will give you the tools to explore, define or evaluate job duties with an effective and impactful approach.

Why are job descriptions important in a job listing?
How to list job duties in a job description
Where can I find examples of job duties
How to write effective job descriptions

Why Are Job Descriptions Important In A Job Listing?

Job Descriptions: A Key Element of Job Adverts

Job descriptions play a pivotal role in job advertisements. They supply vital details about the job role, its requisites, job duties and responsibilities. Below are some compelling reasons why job descriptions hold the key to effective job postings:

Drawing in the Ideal Applicants: Acting as a promotional instrument, job descriptions help lure prospective applicants. They vividly describe the job title, major responsibilities, and qualifications, enabling organisations to magnetise individuals with the exact skill set and experience necessary for the role. A meticulously devised job description aids in reaching the right audience, enhancing the chances of reeling in competent candidates, fostering mutual understanding.
Establishing Clear Parameters: Job descriptions lay down clear boundaries for both the company and applicants. They offer a thorough picture of the job’s duties, accountabilities, and reporting hierarchy. Prospective employees can gauge whether they possess the appropriate skills and qualifications, while Hiring Managers can determine if the candidates resonate with their requirements and corporate objectives. Setting precise expectations upfront fuels a more streamlined recruitment process and mitigates the risk of future discrepancies.
Smoothing the Selection Mechanism: Job descriptions hold the reigns in smoothing the selection process. By highlighting crucial qualifications and requirements, firms can effectively sift through CVs and applications. Hiring Managers can conveniently juxtapose candidates’ qualifications with the job description, conserving time and energy in the recruitment’s initial stages. Transparent job descriptions also aid in executing structured interviews, serving as a benchmark for appraising candidates’ skills and experiences.
Adherence to Legal Norms: Job descriptions assist employers in adhering to legal and regulatory obligations. They guarantee that job adverts are devoid of discriminatory language and uphold the principles of equal employment opportunities. Furthermore, job descriptions can act as a point of reference in legal disputes or when deciding critical job functions that might necessitate reasonable accommodations.
Performance Assessment and Progression: Job descriptions lay the groundwork for performance evaluation and development. By succinctly detailing job responsibilities and expectations, firms can impartially gauge an employee’s performance and provide constructive feedback. Job descriptions also help spotlight areas for enhancement and development, outlining the necessary skills and educational qualifications for succeeding in the role. This insight proves invaluable in performance management, training, and career advancement discussions.

In a nutshell, job descriptions form an integral part of job postings. They attract apt candidates, establish unambiguous expectations, streamline the selection procedure, ensure legal compliance, and lay the groundwork for performance appraisal and development. A well-articulated job description serves as a crucial tool for both companies and candidates, making the recruitment process more efficient and effective.

How To List Job Duties In A Job Description

Listing Duties And Key Requirements To A Job Description

Here are four key guidelines for Hiring Managers, companies, or employers on formulating day-to-day duties and responsibilities for current and new job roles:

1. Entice And Engage Applicants With Distinct Job Titles and Summary

The importance of presenting a transparent and captivating job title and summary when delineating job duties is paramount. An effectively designed job title needs to authentically echo the current job, drawing the attention of prospective candidates. It should be brief, precise, and mirror the essence of the role. The job summary should then offer a succinct sketch of the prime duties and briefly describe your company brand, encouraging job seekers to delve deeper. It operates as a quick preview of the position, underlining the most critical elements and igniting the curiosity of the best candidates.

2. Fabricate Or Refine Present Job Duties

In the context of delineating job duties, it’s critical to ensure their contemporariness and relevance to the organisation’s current requirements. Job duties may progress over time, driven by shifts in technology, industry trends, or business priorities. Thus, it’s essential to periodically reassess and refresh the list to genuinely embody the existing expectations of the current role. This guarantees that the ideal candidate will receive realistic and precise information regarding what the role involves.

3. Highlight Principal Duties

Within a list of job duties, it’s vital to spotlight the most significant and impactful tasks. Accentuating the core duties allows job seekers to comprehend the fundamental functions of the role and evaluate their own aptness. By distinctly stating the main tasks and expected outcomes of the position, you can allure candidates possessing the needed skills and experience. This prioritisation also enables the person to gauge the degree of responsibility within your team and the potential influence their work may exert within the company.

4. Condense Your Job Duties List For Your Job Advert

When crafting a job advert, maintaining a brief and focused list of job duties is essential. A laundry list of duties can overwhelm job seekers, potentially deterring them from applying for a job interview. Instead, strive to furnish a concise account of key tasks that encapsulates the spirit of the role. This enables suitable candidates to swiftly comprehend the primary duties without becoming entangled in superfluous details. A trimmer list also bolsters the readability and lucidity of the job advert, rendering it more appealing and approachable to potential candidates.

Where Can I Find Examples Of Job Duties

You can find job duties examples and key responsibilities for any job title in the job descriptions contained in our job description library. Examples include our Welder Fitter Job Description Template and Channel Manager Job Description Template. You can use these with a blank or sample job description template or job advert template to attract new hires internally or externally, through job board advertising.

Find your job duties and responsibilities examples in the following categories:

Once you have gathered your job duties and job responsibilities, the next step in creating a job description for job posting is developing a candidate specification. Read what to include in a job specification for guidance on this task. We discuss everything from skill set (soft skills and personality traits) to qualifications, experience, accreditations, and special conditions.

How To Write Effective Job Descriptions

How To Write An Appealing Job Description

Uncover three strategies Hiring Managers or Human Resources can utilise in a professional environment to morph their everyday job descriptions into enticing narratives that capture the attention of prospective candidates:

1. Imbue Your Company’s Ethos

Incorporating your company’s ethos within job descriptions promotes a cohesive and appealing employer persona. By weaving in your firm’s values, work culture, main objectives, and mission statement, you can illustrate your unique company identity and stand apart from the competition. Candidates who find a harmony with your company ethos are more likely to be passionate and engaged team members. Encapsulating your corporate ethos in job descriptions aids in attracting those who mirror your organisational values and are predisposed to contribute positively to your company’s growth trajectory.

2. Use Company-Specific Language Sparingly

While it’s crucial to showcase your company’s ethos, it’s equally important to make sure job descriptions are easily deciphered, particularly for those outside the company. Steering clear of excessive jargon and technical terms creates a more inclusive and accessible job description, opening the doors to a diverse group of potential applicants. Leveraging clear and concise language enables candidates to swiftly comprehend the role’s prerequisites and assess their suitability. That said, for internal applicants acquainted with your firm’s lingo and processes, pertinent jargon can deliver a more precise picture of the role and its duties.

3. Highlight Employee Perks To Magnetise Top Talent

Underlining perks and benefits in job descriptions is a key factor in luring high-quality applicants. Today’s job seekers look beyond one’s responsibilities, scrutinising the overall compensation package and workplace environment. By explicitly presenting the perks and benefits on offer, whether that’s flexible work arrangements, professional development opportunities, health coverage, or a competitive remuneration package, you can draw in candidates who value these features. Accentuating appealing perks and benefits can bolster the allure of your job adverts, amplifying your chances of attracting top-tier candidates on the hunt for a comprehensive employment package.

Job Duties FAQs

Next, we answer Hiring Manager frequently asked questions on adding job duties to job descriptions:

WHAT DO JOB DUTIES MEAN?

Job duties refer to the specific tasks, functions, or activities that an employee is expected to perform as part of their role. These duties are usually outlined in the job description to give potential candidates a clear understanding of what the job entails.

WHAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF JOB DUTY?

An example of a job duty could be for a Social Media Manager: ‘Create and manage a content calendar for all social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.’

WHAT DO YOU PUT FOR JOB DUTIES?

For job duties, you should list the primary tasks that the employee is expected to perform in their role. This should include daily tasks, regular activities, and any periodic job responsibilities. These duties should be clearly related to the overall purpose and objectives of job titles. Furthermore, this essential information and the job description as a whole, will help your prepare for the interview process and candidate selection.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DUTY AND A RESPONSIBILITY?

A duty is a specific task required as part of a job. For instance, a duty of a Cashier might be to process transactions. A responsibility, on the other hand, is a broader term that involves overseeing or managing a particular area or aspect of a job. For example, a Cashier might have the responsibility of maintaining an accurate cash drawer and ensuring excellent customer service. Essentially, duties are the tasks performed, while job responsibilities refer to the accountability for completing those tasks or achieving certain outcomes.

Job Descriptions Job Duties