Can you describe your own job? Do you know exactly what your duties and responsibilities are? Can you outline your area of influence in the company? A surprising number of people cannot, so when they go to apply for another job down the line, they're not really sure what to put on their resume to describe their last job. If you were to apply for a search engine business, would you know what you are signing up for? If you're not sure why you should have a detailed job description or how to create one, this article will set you straight.

There are several reasons why you need to know your job description. Firstly, if you don't know what you're supposed to be doing, how do you know you're doing it properly? There could be areas of management that you're supposed to be looking after and aren't, which could lead to a poor job evaluation. When you begin your job, your employer should provide you with a list of tasks that are going to be your responsibility in the future. Hang onto this list.

Another reason you want to know your own job description is so you can use it as leverage to get promotions and better jobs down the line. If you're able to neatly encapsulate your value to the company, your argument to be promoted to head of management or to get a raise will make a lot more sense to your boss. Additionally, companies you apply with down the line will want to know exactly what you did in your old job so they can see if your skills match up with their requirements.

You can find your job description in several different ways. It should be in the job listing that you responded to when you first applied for the position. Your boss should also have given you a list of responsibilities and some training I in fulfilling them when you were hired, so look in your procedures binder. You can also compile a list of responsibilities by writing a diary of what you do for a day, week, month, or year depending on how often some of you responsibilities need attending to.

When you're compiling your list, don't forget to include anything you did or do that's over and above what's expected of you. Do you manage the office gift pool? Do you accompany your boss to meetings and conferences? Did you design the company booth for the trade show? Do you stay late to straighten up after work? List these things on your resume as well, and on any applications for promotions and raises as a way of impressing the selection committee.