Writing your own Future Job Description

Some might know exactly where they want to go, and some might need help defining their options. This method works to help redefine one’s role in a company.

Here are some questions to help you thinking:

  1. Example: Where do you see yourself in a few years? Zoom out and imagine what you’d want to be doing.

  2. If you were to leave Company X, what roles would you most likely apply to? Aggregate your top 5 job descriptions and share them here.

  3. [optional or use previous reviews] Run a mini feedback process from close colleagues:

    1. Ask 3-5 close colleagues to fill out Start/Stop/Continue

      1. Start - what could they start doing to make their work more effective?

      2. Stop - what should they stop doing that is hindering them from achieving their full potential?

      3. Continue - what is their superpower? what makes them stand out from the crowd?

  4. [optional] Before reading feedback from colleagues, fill out what you anticipate others might say (to increase self-awareness before feedback)

    1. Start: What do you anticipate your team would want you to start doing?

    2. Stop: What do you anticipate your team would want you to stop doing?

    3. Continue: What do you think your team most values in your work?

  5. Job Crafting: Job crafting involves changing aspects of your job so that it can feel more meaningful and enjoyable. Three common ways to consider:

    • Altering the Task [example: changing the tasks, taking on additional tasks]

    • Altering the Interaction with Others [example: expanding the role to interact with different stakeholders, investing in relationship with peers]

    • Altering how the task is Perceived [reframing the social purpose of work to align with one’s passion, changing thoughts or belief about the job to cope]

    Using the job descriptions and the findings above to write your own ideal job description. Include: Title of the role, Key role and responsibilities, Key skills and competencies that are required.

  6. You could use the insights to help fill out the Skill/Will/Pragmatic Matrix.

  7. Reflect on this exercise. What are the first action steps to get closer to this job description?