Well-developed job descriptions are an important component of an organization's compensation plan. You need accurate and current job descriptions to develop an equitable base pay program, as well as to support your recruiting, retention, promotion, and performance efforts.

Writing a job description is not a complex process, but if you want it to be an effective description, you should incorporate some standard components: a well-defined job title, a concise job summary, key responsibilities, minimum job requirements, physical requirements, and a disclaimer. You should also use a clear, concise writing style.

For job descriptions to be effective, they need to be current. You can use a job evaluation to gather the information that you need for revising and updating your job descriptions.

The following information and tools can help you create job descriptions that help form the foundation of your compensation system.

• Why job descriptions are important (Article)
  Learn why job descriptions are essential to your organization's compensation strategy.
• Write effective job descriptions (Article)
  Follow these guidelines to create job descriptions that work for your organization.
• Conduct a job evaluation (Article)
  Evaluate your organization's jobs, and strengthen your job descriptions by using the results.
• Job description (Template)
  Document consistent descriptions and requirements for each job in your organization.
• Job description form (Template)
  Create a basic job description