By Chemistry Consulting Group

When an employee leaves, the natural reaction is often to start looking for a replacement. The job description is pulled from the files, updated with a new date and the position is posted.

At Chemistry Consulting Group, we think there is an important question to ask before that happens: Is this still the right job description for the organization today?

Organizations change. Teams grow, responsibilities shift, technology changes how work gets done and business priorities evolve. A position that was designed several years ago may no longer reflect what the organization actually needs. Sometimes responsibilities have gradually been added to a role without the position itself being reconsidered. In other cases, duties that were once important are no longer required.

This is why Chemistry Consulting Group ‘s HR consultants encourage employers to review a position before automatically replacing the person who previously held it. The departure of an employee can be an opportunity to step back and look at the role objectively.

What does the organization need this position to accomplish today? Has the level of responsibility changed? Are the required skills and qualifications still appropriate? Could some responsibilities be moved elsewhere? Does the reporting relationship still make sense? And perhaps most importantly, is the organization looking for the same type of person it needed several years ago?

A good job description should clearly explain the purpose of the position, its key responsibilities, reporting relationship, required qualifications and experience, and the skills and capabilities needed to be successful. It should provide enough clarity for both the employer and the employee to understand what is expected.

Chemistry Consulting Group regularly works with organizations on HR consulting projects where reviewing roles, responsibilities and organizational structures is an important part of the process. Sometimes the result is a revised job description. Sometimes it leads to a broader restructuring of the position or team. And sometimes it confirms that the existing role is still exactly what the organization needs.

Only once that work has been done should an employer begin thinking about finding the right person.

A well-written job description also provides an important foundation for recruitment. It helps Chemistry Consulting Group and other recruitment professionals understand what the employer is really looking for and gives candidates a much clearer picture of the opportunity. It can also help ensure that the compensation, qualifications and expectations associated with the position are aligned.

Replacing an employee doesn’t always mean replacing the job exactly as it was.

At Chemistry Consulting Group, we believe every recruitment opportunity is also an opportunity to take a fresh look at the role and make sure it continues to support the organization’s needs. Taking a little time to review the position before beginning a search can help employers avoid hiring for yesterday’s organization when what they really need is someone who can help them succeed tomorrow.