Evolve job descriptions

- As we move from hiring for titles to hiring for skills, job descriptions are due for an overhaul if we want them to remain relevant. My guess is this. If you pull out any employee's job description and ask them about it, chances are, they'll say it doesn't actually represent what they do, and it certainly doesn't identify the required skill sets they use. When writing job descriptions identify the tasks and results that are actually being accomplished. Since work is becoming more project-based and specialized, we can also identify how employees actually work together and what programs are being used to carry out that work. So that there is employee buy-in, we want to engage them in updating these job descriptions. The next step is to identify which skills are required to carry out those tasks and responsibilities. For example, the job description may be for an HR position to help manage an organization's HRAS system like Workday but the most important skills required relate to the ability to extract specific data and make use of it. The outcome required may be to identify the costs and time to hire in various departments as well as turnover rates and related data such as position, years on a job and department. The ability to perform that task is a specific skillset you can identify, require and test for. There may also be certifications available from the vendor or third parties that would attest to the level of skills for specific aspects of using their program. For example, Salesforce has dozens of available certifications. Today's job descriptions should also identify the transferable skills that are relevant to the position. For example, communication skills, conflict management skills, problem solving skills and so on should also be identified. Finally, realize that job descriptions have to continually evolve to remain relevant. I'd suggest that you review them with your employees on an annual basis. I guarantee that some skills will wane in importance and new skill requirements will emerge. Perhaps the first job description you reinvent is yours. Actually, do that as a practice right now. Type up a job description for your job in terms of the actual tasks, responsibilities and skills you need to get the work done. That'll be good practice before beginning to redesign other job descriptions with a focus on skill requirements.