Got a job to fill? Tell it like it is.

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Comments

[Thom Quinn]

Rosa,

Excellent point and I completely agree. Even well-defined job descriptions only contain 50% of useful information about a position and they certainly lead to dinosaur-type thinking of one-for-one replacement instead of innovative solutions when someone leaves an organization. As a case-in-point, when I was an IT Manager, one day, I was unexpectantly asked to update all the job descriptions of the associates who reported to me (there were 8 distinct job-types) so HR could be prepared, just in case, someone left the firm.

A few years ago, another a colleague and I decided that instead of descriptions, everyone should be given a "Job Theory" outline instead. These would be flexible and would simply detail one's major tasks and expected outcomes of their work. All of these would end with a tagline such as "and other duties as assigned or as the environment demands."

Thom

[Rosa Say]

Aloha Thom, and mahalo for your comment; I am so happy to know you are one of our Ho‘ohana Community of readers!

“Job Theory” outline - I love that! I see your “major tasks” as the stuff that comes with the territory (frankly, the stuff you can’t deny are part of your responsibilities, and they have to get done) and when supplemented with your “expected outcomes,” expectations are clear, but you open the door to initiative, creativity, and the voluntary assumption of increased responsibility.

I would have suggested this ending tagline: “As we pursue our mission together, aligned in our shared values, we fully expect you will learn, innovate, and continually reinvent your job contributions as one of our trusted business partners, seeking to use all of your knowledge, skill, and talent in the best possible way.”

[Thom Quinn]

The one I proposed was more consistent with "HR Speak" at my old firm, but I like your tagline better. :)

Thom