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Creating a job description

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What needs to be included in a job description and why it is important.

by Web Manager — last modified Aug 04, 2010 12:00 PM

A job description is not a legal requirement. However it will help the organisation, the applicant and the future role holder to understand the reporting lines, responsibilities, skills, knowledge and behaviour required. 

When writing a job description consider what qualifications are essential, for example, medical training (if recruiting a nurse) and which are desirable, for example, experience of working in Mozambique. Also consider your wording, for example, is a degree really required or would someone of degree calibre be acceptable? This will help to ensure that a candidate who might be perfect for the role is not unwittingly eliminated.

There are various different employment laws that need to be taken into account when writing job descriptions and recruiting people. These will vary from country to country. Please refer to the employment law section for information on UK employment law.

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