The Need for a Good Job Description

Cathie Leimbach • October 9, 2023

In today's competitive job market, a well-crafted job description is not just a formality; it's a crucial tool for attracting the right talent, ensuring a successful hiring process, communicating expectations to employees, and establishing a reference for performance feedback.


Once you are clear on what you expect employees in a given position to accomplish, prepare an expanded job description which serves as a blueprint for the position. This document will include the position title; the position or name of the supervisor; the positions or names of those whom they will supervise, if any; a brief summary of the roles of this position; the detailed specific expectations; and qualifications required. Ideally, the job description will reference the importance of aligning with the organization’s values which may be stated in the job description or provided in an accompanying document. This expanded job description helps the employee to understand the context in which they are to work as well as the measurable outputs for which they are responsible.


Here's why quality job descriptions are essential:

1.     Attracting the Right Candidates: A clear and detailed job description helps potential candidates understand the job's expectations, ensuring that those who apply are genuinely interested and qualified.

2.     Reducing Turnover: When expectations are clearly communicated from the beginning, employees are more likely to thrive in their roles, leading to higher job satisfaction and lower turnover rates.

3.     Legal Protection: Job descriptions can serve as legal documents, defining essential job functions and minimizing potential disputes over duties or responsibilities.

4.     Streamlining the Hiring Process: A well-defined job description helps HR professionals and hiring managers identify the most suitable candidates quickly, saving time and resources.

5.     Employee Development: Job descriptions are valuable tools for employee performance evaluations and career development discussions.



In conclusion, good job descriptions are the foundation of successful hiring processes, strong workforce performance, and high employee retention. They provide the basis for clarity, efficiency, and employee satisfaction in today's dynamic job market. Employers who invest time in crafting accurate and informative job descriptions are more likely to find and retain top talent.

Why Great Leaders Are Worth Every Penny

By Cathie Leimbach • July 8, 2025
Based on research by Boris Groysberg, Harvard Business School

Why Employees Stay: Building a Workplace People Love

By Cathie Leimbach • July 1, 2025
Keeping good employees isn't about luck – it's about creating a place where people genuinely want to work. When companies focus on what really matters to their staff, they see amazing results in loyalty and performance. Talk Openly and Build Trust The best workplaces encourage honest conversations. Employees feel safe sharing ideas and asking questions without worry. When managers are clear about company goals and changes, it creates trust. People stay when they feel their voices matter. Help People Grow Nobody wants to be stuck in the same job forever. Smart companies invest in training and show clear paths for advancement. When workers see chances to learn new skills and move up, they choose to grow with the company instead of leaving for something better. Respect Life Outside Work Great employers know their people have families and interests beyond the office. They offer flexible hours and reasonable workloads. When companies care about their employees' well-being, those employees care more about their work.  These simple changes create a win-win situation where everyone benefits. For even more insights on building a workplace people love, check out Employees Never Quit . What could your workplace do differently to keep great people around?
More Posts