Using Verbs to Start Responsibilities and Requirements

RoleMapper Best Practice is to start all Responsibilities with a gerund verb (the "ing" format of a verb) and all Requirements with a verb.

There are several justifications for this supported by principles from business communication, human resource practices and cognitive psychology.

Clarity and Action Orientation

Beginning responsibilities and requirements with verbs creates clear action-oriented statements which helps people understand exactly what actions they are expected to perform and what criteria they must meet.

HR professionals recommend this approach as it makes job descriptions more dynamic and easier to understand, which can attract the right candidates.

Consistency and Readability

Consistent use of verbs at the beginning of items enhances readability and helps the brain process information more efficiently. This is due to the brain's preference for patterns and predictable structures.

Focus on Skills and Actions

Job documents that highlight actions and skills tend to be more effective in conveying the employer's needs. This helps in setting clear expectations and encourages candidates to consider how their skills align with the job.

Improved Scanning and Skimming

Studies in UX design and readability suggest that users often scan documents rather than reading them word-for-word. Beginning with verbs allows key information to be quickly identified.

Summary

This approach not only makes the responsibilities clear but also aligns with best practices in communication and human resources.

While there may not be a single, definitive scientific study solely focused on the use of verbs in job descriptions, the principles from these various fields collectively support the practice.