The Power of a Simple Job Description: Clarity, Prioritization, and Performance Alignment
TJ Kastning
Ambassador Group believes a good job description does three things exceptionally well:
1️⃣ It defines intended outcomes.
2️⃣ It clarifies priorities.
3️⃣ It serves as a performance review tool.
When a job description is bloated with excessive responsibilities, generic requirements, and wishful thinking, it becomes useless for hiring and performance management. Interviews fail to assess the right things, priorities blur, and every hire feels like a compromise.
Let’s break this down and make sure your job descriptions set your team up for success.
Keep It Simple: Focus on Outcomes, Not Tasks
A job description isn’t a task list—it’s a game plan for success.
Instead of listing 25 bullet points of responsibilities, focus on the three to five most important outcomes this role needs to achieve. Ask yourself:
- What are the results that matter most in this job?
- How will we measure success?
- If bandwidth becomes a problem, what are the top priorities that absolutely cannot fail?
Example:
❌ Bad: “Manage all project documentation, coordinate with all subcontractors, track budgets, monitor safety compliance, ensure quality control, support business development efforts, oversee training programs, etc.”
✅ Good: “Ensure projects are completed on schedule and on budget with high-quality standards. Drive subcontractor accountability and maintain clear documentation to support successful project closeouts.”
See the difference? The first example is just a to-do list. The second example defines outcomes and lets a strong candidate determine how to execute them effectively.
A Job Description Should Set the Stage for Performance Reviews
A job description shouldn’t just help with hiring—it should also serve as a performance management tool.
If an employee ever wonders, “Am I doing a good job?” the answer should be clear in the job description. If managers struggle to evaluate performance, it’s because the job description never clarified the intended results in the first place.
💡 Tip: Write job descriptions as if you’re explaining what success looks like in six months or a year. If someone hits the key outcomes, they should feel confident that they’re excelling.
Example:
❌ Vague: “Manage project timelines effectively.”
✅ Clear: “Ensure that all projects meet or beat their contractual completion dates, with delays addressed proactively through structured communication with stakeholders.”
When performance reviews roll around, managers won’t need to invent new criteria—they’ll already have a clear measuring stick built into the job description.
Weave Your Company’s Mission & Core Values Into the Role
Every job should tie directly into the company’s broader mission and values. Alignment is everything.
A candidate should read the job description and think:
✔️ “I see how this role contributes to the company’s success.”
✔️ “I understand what’s expected of me.”
✔️ “This company’s values align with mine.”
Example:
✅ Good: “As a Project Manager at [Company Name], you’ll play a critical role in ensuring construction projects are delivered on time, on budget, and with exceptional quality. Our mission is to build projects that last for generations, and that starts with strong leadership on-site. We value extreme ownership, servant leadership, and solution-oriented thinking, and we expect our PMs to embody these principles every day.”
This approach doesn’t just attract better candidates—it ensures cultural alignment from Day 1.
The Bottom Line: Less Is More, but Prioritize What Matters
When job descriptions are clear and outcome-driven, you’ll:
✅ Hire the right person for the job (not just the best interviewer).
✅ Set up employees for success from the start.
✅ Make performance reviews straightforward and objective.
If you’re struggling to get your job descriptions dialed in, let’s talk.
📅 Schedule an exploratory meeting to discuss how Ambassador Group can help refine your hiring strategy: Schedule Here
Your team’s success starts with clarity. Let’s get it right. 💡
