Useful Language — Defining the Role

The phrases that turn a vague request into a real job description.

Tap the beside any phrase to hear it, then say it out loud. Then listen to the full briefing below.

🗂️ Step 1 — Briefing the hiring manager

Before we write anything, can you tell me what this person will actually do in the first six months?
What does good look like after one year in this role?
Who will they work with most closely?
Is this a new role, or are we replacing someone?

⚖️ Step 2 — Must-haves and nice-to-haves

Let’s split the list into two: what they must have, and what would be nice.
Could someone do this job well without a degree?
That one is a nice-to-have, I’d move it down.
If we ask for all of this, we’ll get almost nobody.

✍️ Step 3 — Describing the role honestly

The team is small, so the person has to be comfortable working on their own.
It’s a hands-on role: you’ll build things, not just plan them.
We work hybrid, three days in the office.
You don’t need experience in our sector, but you should be curious about it.

🛑 Step 4 — Pushing back politely

I understand why you want that, but it will cost us candidates.
Can I suggest we drop the five years and ask for the skill instead?
I’d rather be strict on one thing than vague on six.
Shall we try it this way and see who applies?

Listen: briefing a hiring manager

Sara: Marco, before I write the advert, tell me what this person will actually do in the first six months.

Marco: Everything, honestly. We need someone who can handle the reporting, talk to clients, and fix the dashboard.

Sara: That’s three jobs. Which one would you keep if you could only keep one?

Marco: The reporting. If the reporting works, I can breathe.

Sara: Good. So reporting is a must-have. Client contact and the dashboard are nice-to-haves. Does that feel right?

Marco: It does. But they must have five years of experience and a master’s degree.

Sara: I understand why you want that, but it will cost us candidates. Could someone do this job well without a master’s?

Marco: Probably, yes. If they can show me the work.

Sara: Then let’s ask for the work. A strong track record with reporting tools, and the degree becomes optional.

Marco: Fine. But I don’t want fifty applications from people who can’t do it.

Sara: You won’t get them. Being strict on one real thing filters better than being vague about six.

Notice how Sara uses must have for what is essential and softer forms (could, optional) for what is not. That distinction is the whole job of this module.