How to write Responsibilities in a Job Description

Background

The objective of a responsibility is to summarize, at a high level, what they will do and take ownership of in the role.

​They bring the role to life for the prospective candidate and re-enforce the job USP and opportunity to make a difference​:

• Provide clarity on what the job is all about​
• Show who they will be working, and collaborating with, in the role e.g. teams, customers​
• To encourage candidates to start to see themselves in the role​

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How to copy write 'Responsibilities' 

A good formula for a 'Responsibility' is a sentence no longer than 17 words, with a maximum of 6 responsibilities written in bullet point format. 

• Identify the key “themes” (segments); there should be no more than 5-6
• Each responsibility is separate from the other and could be carried out independently of the other responsibilities​
  • Each responsibility might require different capabilities, skills, knowledge and experience to undertake​
  • You know you have a “segment” if you can take each responsibility and give it to someone else (most of the time!) ​
• Avoid acronyms, abbreviations, or complexity ​

In order to rationalise and shorten your responsibility list, it's essential to differentiate between responsibilities and activities:

Here is an example of the responsibilities and activities of a Recruitment Manager Role:

How to type and edit 'Responsibilities' on Rolemapper

• Create or open your document on RM - (click here for more info on how to create or upload)
• Scroll down and click on the responsibility section

• Start typing or simply double click and choose from re-useable content from the dropdown- you can edit these if you wish
  • Remember these are 'High-level critical components of the role that the Role Holder will be accountable for. Having 5-6 responsibilities is best practice.​'
  • These WILL BE pulled through from your job description into your final Job Advert  

• To add a new Responsibility, click the 3 dots then click 'add new'

• To add activities (only in the Job Description document), please click the up arrow to open the dropdown, start typing or simply select reusable content from the dropdown
  • Remember 'Activities are key tasks that a role holder would undertake to deliver on a responsibility​'
  • These WILL NOT pull through from a job description into a copied Job Advert ​