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Inclusive and concise JDs attract the best talent. And the pros at the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) support efficient hiring practices, including writing great job descriptions (JDs).
Here are 5 examples of a SHRM job description template to help streamline your search for top performers. I’ve added tips to each for optimal results. Let’s dive in.
1. Sales Job Description Template SHRM
In sales, there’s a constant need to keep up with changing customer demands, market movements, and public trends. Hiring the ideal sales manager is challenging (if not impossible) without a dynamic JD.
SHRM shares an excellent sales manager job description template:
What’s great about it? The JD immediately dives into organizational expectations like “Supervisory Responsibilities” and the duties for the role. It wastes no time on lengthy intros and irrelevant details.
Note: This sales job description template SHRM offers is for members only, so you will need to join for the downloadable version.
Additional Tips:
You might consider dividing your JD into 30-day periods, with each section offering candidates a better understanding of their job scope and learning objectives. For example, under the 60 days segment, hires may expect to strengthen their product and industry knowledge through one-to-one support.
I also recommend adding a D&I statement and salary/benefits information to the end of this template for better results.
2. Legal Job Description Template SHRM
An effective JD matches the nature of a job role and company culture. Hiring for a senior specialized role like a legal services supervisor requires JDs to identify core responsibilities and legal expertise.
SHRM’s Legal Services Supervisor job description template highlights the role’s daily duties, paralegal certifications, and industry knowledge (i.e., a basic understanding of court and administrative proceedings and documentation):
Note: This legal job description template SHRM offers is for members only, so you will need to join for the downloadable version.
Additional Tips:
You might also consider sorting legal responsibilities based on importance. For example, from managing all legal aspects of the company down to giving legal advice on various issues. Listing the role’s responsibilities in this order allows candidates to mentally unpack and prepare for the position.
Also, an effective JD might encourage candidates to apply for the role even if they do not meet every listed requirement. Legal practices and regulations change constantly, and applicants must adapt quickly to these shifts.
3. CMO Job Description Template SHRM
The CMO handles a company’s overall marketing efforts. You might consider them the head creative who shapes a brand.
SHRM’S Marketing Director job description template reflects the responsibilities of a CMO:
A quality CMO job description template should emphasize the executive’s “voice”(creative direction) as a major selling point.
Note: This CMO job description template SHRM offers is for members only, so you will need to join for the downloadable version.
Additional Tips:
Give job seekers a mission or tell them a story about the role, especially in marketing roles. Here’s a great example from Clockwork. Their CMO JD sample tactfully positions applicants as the protagonist of the brand story, and presents a meaningful opportunity:
“We’re looking for a CMO responsible for defining and implementing our marketing and growth programs. Our CMO will work directly with our Co-Founder/CEO and take full ownership of our online presence and customer acquisition programs. This is an excellent opportunity to give voice to our brand and drive revenue growth through data-driven marketing campaigns.”
4. CTO Job Description Template SHRM
CTOs (and CIOs — chief information officers) focus on effectively applying technology to reach organizational goals. SHRM’s CIO job description template captures this in the summary section:
“develop, plan, and implement an information technology (IT) strategy that meets the company’s business needs.”
Note: This CTO job description template SHRM offers is for members only, so you will need to join for the downloadable version.
Additional Tips:
A CTO job description should highlight a key outcome expected from the candidate. Positioning the high-level statement at the top of the JD summarizes the role and makes it easier to pave the rest of the way based on a desired outcome.
Also, sharing your company’s accolades, industry recognitions, values, and culture is important to provide context for their contributions (especially for C-suite roles).
5. CSO Job Description Template SHRM
Corporate environment responsibilities (CERs) have become key for modern co.s that comes with increased awareness of their organizational impact. A trusted CSO guides your corporate sustainability strategy to ensure operations run smoothly (without compromising communities and the natural environment).
SHRM’s CSO job description template highlights the role’s importance of minimizing the company’s environmental impact:
Additional Tips:
The “Required Skills/Abilities” section is longer than 7 bullets. Long lists of requirements may deter women and neurodivergent candidates from applying.
Consider removing “general” requirements like “Excellent verbal and written communications skills” or “Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail” from your list. Anyone who applies will likely have these skills anyway.
Note: Need more job description templates? Head to Ongig’s blog for samples, tips, and steps for creating the best job descriptions on the planet.
Why I Wrote This:
Ongig is on a mission to eliminate boring and biased JDs. We believe using resources like a SHRM job description template and software to write better JDs will help boost your talent pool. Please request a demo to learn about Ongig’s Text Analyzer for job descriptions.
Shout-outs:
- Writing the ultimate sales representative job description (by Josh Bean, Zendesk Blog)
- Sales Manager Job Description Template (SHRM)
- Legal Services Supervisor Job Description Template (SHRM)
- Crafting the Perfect Job Description for Chief Legal Officers (by HiPeople)
- Marketing Director Job Description Template (SHRM)
- Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Job Description Sample (by Clockwork)
- CTO Job Description Template (Monster)
- Chief Information Officer Job Description Template (SHRM)
- Chief Sustainability Officer Job Description Template (SHRM)
