Job description template, from a sample to a finished sheet.

A job description is a short document that says what a role is, what the person will do, what they need to bring and how to apply. This free job description template builder gives you a clean sheet with the details, a pay band, duties, requirements and conditions, and six sample roles to start from. Edit the words to match your own job, then save a PDF or copy the text. It runs in your browser, with no sign-up.

How to write a job description

1. Pick Start from an example and choose the closest role, or type your own Job title.
2. Under The role, fill in the department, who the role Reports to, the Location, the Employment type and the hours.
3. Under Pay band, type the lowest and highest pay in From and To, pick whether it is paid per hour, day, week, month or year, and pick the currency.
4. Write a short Summary, then the Key responsibilities and What you need, one point per line.
5. Add Working conditions, what you offer and How to apply.
6. Check the preview, then click Download PDF or Copy as text.

What to put in each part

Pay band

The pay band is written for you in the way the invoice and quote tools write money. Type 40000 in From, 55000 in To and pick Per year, and the sheet reads $40,000 to $55,000 per year in US dollars. Fill in only one number and it reads "From" or "Up to". Use the extra box for words such as "plus bonus", or to say "Pay depends on experience" when you have no numbers yet. Some places ask for a pay range in job adverts and some do not. This tool cannot tell you which applies to you, so check your local rules.

Writing duties and requirements that work

• Start each duty with a verb. "Answer customer messages" is clearer than "Responsible for customer messages".
• Separate must have from nice to have. A long list of musts shrinks the pool of people who apply, and some will not apply even when they could do the job.
• Describe the work, not the ideal person. Say what they will do and what results matter, and avoid words such as "rockstar".
• Be careful what you ask for. Ask for skills and experience that the job needs. Do not ask for things such as age or marital status.
• Say what the day is like. Shifts, standing, lifting or travel in Working conditions help the right people decide.

Job description or job ad?

A job description is the full internal document for the role. A job ad is the shorter public post that sells it. Use this sheet as the base and copy the summary, a few duties and the how to apply into the ad. Keep the description for interviews, reviews and later changes to the role, since both you and the employee can point to what was agreed.

After you hire, put the process in writing with the SOP template builder, set up the first meeting with the meeting agenda maker, and show where the role sits with the org chart maker. Applying for jobs yourself? The resume builder makes a CV.