What’s Your Job?

November 19, 2024

Doesn't the above question seem fairly straightforward? Obviously, it is not as straightforward as many people think…especially management of small businesses and SMEs. The answer to the question, however, "What’s your job?" involves more than simply creating a daily task list. It can reveal a great deal about an employee’s job, personality, and motivation. The final outcome to the question depends on how well employees know their roles and responsibilities, how involved they are, and how well the company communicates expectations. An effective response shows that employees have a firm grasp of their responsibilities that are aligned with the company's goals and take ownership of their duties.

Why Asking Matters?

Understanding responsibilities: The question is designed to determine if employees truly understand their job responsibilities. However, if their responsibilities are not clearly stated, this situation can result in confusion, errors, and decreased efficiency. When employees have a clear understanding of their responsibilities, they are able to concentrate on the correct tasks, collaborate effectively with colleagues, and contribute to the company's success.

Regarding the business: It's a good indicator when an employee can clearly articulate how their role aligns with the company's broader objectives. To achieve optimal business success, it is essential that each employee understands how their duties contribute to the organization's overall goals. This alignment boosts employee involvement and helps keep employees concentrated on main objectives.

Being actively involved: When employees show enthusiasm and pride in their work, this demonstrates a feeling of responsibility and commitment. On the other hand, if employees give an insincere or vague answer, it could indicate that they are not completely engaged. If this is the case, these insights can be used by management to offer additional support to motivate employees.

A Strong Reply Should Include Multiple Important Elements

• A short summary of the main duties each employee is expected to fulfill
• How their contribution contributes to the business’s success
• Instances of taking the lead and finding solutions
• Putting customers at the center of attention
• Working in collaboration with colleagues to solve common problems

The question (What’s your job?) may not be immediately answered, of course, by every employee. The following typical responses, can often identify areas for needed improvement.

• Responses that lack specific details or are overly general
• Placing emphasis solely on completing tasks rather than achieving outcomes
• Forgetting about the needs of the customer
• Neglecting to consider the team component of their responsibilities

Giving Better Answers

Management can help employees improve their understanding of their specific roles by taking a proactive approach by doing the following: 

• Set clear objectives for success
• Ensure communication channels remain accessible
• Provide training opportunities and clear paths for career advancement
• Highlight the importance of achieving total customer satisfaction

Conclusion

When asking an employee "What’s your job," an employer can better grasp the employee' skills, motivation, and compatibility and how that relates with the business's culture and long-term goals. A strong response would be typical of an employee who is ready to explain his or her main responsibilities, ways the employee may contribute or has contributed to helping the company achieve its goals, highlights teamwork, demonstrates initiative, and focuses on client satisfaction. At the same time, management is able to improve overall performance by communicating with employees on how to get a clearer understanding of their responsibilities that boosts motivation, initiative, and involvement to do a great job. So, if someone asks, “What’s your job,” what would be your answer?