Job Description Template

What's included in your job description template

Our template provides a complete framework for creating professional job descriptions:

1. Company information and branding section
2. Job title and position classification
3. Reporting structure and team relationships
4. Comprehensive job purpose statement
5. Detailed duties and responsibilities breakdown
6. Essential vs. non-essential functions classification
7. Required qualifications and experience levels
8. Preferred skills and competencies
9. Working conditions and physical requirements
10. Performance expectations and success metrics
11. Compensation and Benefits Overview
12. Application instructions and equal opportunity statement

Templates are accessible via the Business Kitz online platform and can be downloaded in PDF and Microsoft Word formats.

Why does my business need a job description template?

Creating clear and comprehensive job descriptions is fundamental to successful hiring and ensuring legal compliance. According to research by the Society for Human Resource Management, organisations with well-written job descriptions experience significantly fewer employment disputes and attract higher-quality candidates who understand role expectations from the start.

A professional job description template helps you:

• Attract qualified candidates by clearly communicating role requirements and company culture
• Reduce recruitment time by filtering out unsuitable applicants before they apply
• Ensure legal compliance with employment laws, including the Fair Labour Standards Act and Americans with Disabilities Act
• Support performance management by establishing clear expectations and measurable objectives
• Facilitate fair compensation by defining role scope, responsibilities, and required expertise
• Prevent workplace disputes through transparent communication of duties and reporting relationships
• Enable effective onboarding by providing new hires with a comprehensive role understanding

At Business Kitz, we've designed this template to address the most common challenges faced by employers globally, from legal compliance to candidate attraction. The structured format ensures you won't miss critical components while maintaining the flexibility to customise for your specific business needs.

Using our document storage platform, you can easily maintain and update job descriptions as roles evolve, ensuring your documentation stays current and compliant.

Create job descriptions that work for your business

Stop spending hours crafting job descriptions from scratch or relying on outdated templates that expose your business to legal risks. Our comprehensive job description template gives you the professional structure and expert guidance you need to attract the right candidates while protecting your organisation. With clear instructions for every section and built-in compliance considerations, you'll create compelling job postings that set both you and your new hires up for success.

Sign up for a free trial and transform your recruitment process with Business Kitz's complete document management solution.

Job description template FAQs

What legal requirements must job descriptions meet?

While job descriptions aren't legally required in most jurisdictions, they play a crucial role in compliance with employment laws. According to employment law experts, job descriptions help ensure compliance with the Fair Labour Standards Act by clearly defining exempt vs. non-exempt status, support Americans with Disabilities Act requirements by outlining essential functions, and prevent discrimination claims by focusing on job-related qualifications rather than personal characteristics.

How detailed should a job description be?

Compelling job descriptions strike a balance between comprehensive coverage and practical usability. Include 4-7 primary responsibilities listed by importance, specific qualifications rather than vague terms like "several years' experience," and clear reporting relationships. Research indicates that overly detailed descriptions become outdated quickly, while brief descriptions fail to attract qualified candidates or provide adequate legal protection.

How often should job descriptions be updated?

Job descriptions should be reviewed and updated annually during performance evaluation cycles, when role responsibilities change significantly, or when employment laws affecting your industry are updated. HR compliance experts recommend treating job descriptions as living documents that evolve with your business needs while maintaining accuracy for legal and recruitment purposes.

What's the difference between essential and non-essential job functions?

Essential functions are the fundamental duties that define the job's purpose and cannot be reassigned to other employees. Non-essential functions are tasks that could be performed by others or modified without changing the job's core nature. This distinction is critical for ADA compliance, as employers must provide reasonable accommodations for essential functions but may modify or reassign non-essential tasks.

Should salary information be included in job descriptions?

Salary inclusion depends on your jurisdiction's pay transparency laws and business strategy. Many regions now require salary ranges to be included in job postings to promote pay equity. Even where not required, including compensation information can attract more qualified candidates and reduce time spent on unsuitable applications. Our template guides present compensation information clearly and effectively.

How can I ensure that my job description attracts a diverse range of candidates?

Write descriptions using inclusive language that focuses on job-related requirements rather than cultural fit or subjective preferences. Studies indicate that avoiding gendered language, unnecessary degree requirements, and terms like "rockstar" or "ninja" significantly increases application diversity. Use our template's inclusive language guidelines to create welcoming, professional descriptions that appeal to all qualified candidates.

Can I customise this template for different industries?

Absolutely. Our template offers a flexible framework that accommodates diverse industries and roles while preserving essential legal and structural elements. Whether you're hiring for healthcare, technology, retail, or professional services, the template's modular design allows you to emphasise industry-specific requirements while ensuring comprehensive coverage of fundamental elements.

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IMPORTANT NOTICE: While you are purchasing a very comprehensive template, it is important to understand that the purchasing of this template is not considered legal advice. If you require legal advice and support utilising this template, you will need to consult a lawyer.