Job Descriptions: Why Effective Job Descriptions Make Good Business Sense

by Mickey Mixon

Most neophyte workers or even new graduates will jump into jobs without knowing their job descriptions. This practice is understandable. Many new graduates are just glad to have gotten a job. They may think that ‘demanding’ a job description will be perceived as a negative to their employer’s impression of them.

This could not be more wrong. Employers, in general, like employees that ask about their job description. This shows that the employee has an interest in knowing the specifics of his or her job and would like to know what his or her specific responsibilities are. Here are a few other reasons why job descriptions are truly important to employees and even to those who are searching for jobs.

1. Knowledge of Duties
A job description will furnish you with a list of your responsibilities and duties. This will ensure that you know what jobs you are supposed to do and which jobs you are not supposed to do. Just “guessing” is not an option. However, you may be trying to do your best, doing jobs that are not your duty and responsibility to perform. The result may be that it may look like you are not doing your job.

If you end up doing jobs that are not in your job description, you will not be credited with those accomplishments.

2. Try to Prevent Being Taken Advantage Of
There will be instances when as an employee you will be asked to do specific duties that are outside your job description. It is perfectly legal to point out that the particular job does not fall under your job description, but that you are willing to do the work anyway. You will, of course, have to do this politely. If the work becomes a regular part of your work day, you may need to ask the boss to revise your job description, which may mean an increase in pay.

3. What Matters to Your Employer
There have been countless employees who have said, “we did our best, worked over time, and gave our all, but did not receive the proper acknowledgement.” Unfortunately, employers may be too busy to keep track of your individual work performance. You may need to submit reports or memos on your progress and performance, just to document the additional work performed.

About the Author - Mickey Mixon
Sugar Land Businessman Mickey Mixon is a Licensed Private Investigator, and a Talented Internet Marketer specializing in Affiliate Marketing. Mickey’s career includes a 15 year career in Houston Texas area retailing, owning stores in 5 malls until 1998. In 1997 he formed the PI firm American Information Bureau/American Investigation Brokers LLC. In 1996 he published his first book, Job Search Survival ,with an updated edition released on July 4, 2009. He is also Ministry Coordinator for the SCBC Job’s Ministry in Sugar Land TX. Contact Mickey at JobSearchSurvival@gmail.com http://www.JobSearchSurvival.com