When you’re looking to hire someone for a position in your business, it pays to have a well-written job description. A bad job description can turn off good candidates and attract the wrong ones.
A well-written job description can help you attract and keep the right people in your company people who not only fit with your organization but also make a positive contribution to its culture and success.
Here are 15 tips for writing great job descriptions:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Clearly define the job title and role. |
| Use a concise and engaging job summary. |
| Outline the key responsibilities and duties. |
| Highlight the required qualifications and skills. |
| Incorporate the company’s culture and values. |
| Use bullet points or numbered lists for readability. |
| Avoid jargon and industry-specific terms. |
| Include information on compensation and benefits. |
| Provide clear instructions on how to apply. |
| Regularly review and update the job description. |
Understand The Job You Are Hiring For
To write a good job description, you need to have a clear understanding of what it is that you’re looking for. This means knowing the job you are hiring for and the industry in which it exists. It also means having an understanding of what title of that position will be used when posting your ad and how that title translates into qualifications, skills, and experience.
When writing a professional job description, some companies include all these details while others focus on just one or two things at most. Your choice depends largely on how much information you think applicants will want before applying (and possibly before taking time off work).
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State A Clear Job Title And Summary
The most important part of your job description is the title and summary. The title should be as clear and concise as possible, with no acronyms or jargon. It should also be specific enough to attract candidates who are qualified for the position. For example, instead of “Manager” or “Team Lead” use “Business Manager” or “Marketing Director/Manager” to make it easy for people to understand what they’d be doing in this role.
The summary section can be even more important than the title; this is where you give your best pitch about why someone would want to work at your company, what makes it special and why they should apply now!
It’s not necessarily about describing exactly what responsibilities will fall under their purview that information is already available throughout other parts of the document but rather highlighting any unique aspects about working there that set your company apart from others (e.g., perks like free lunches).
Craft An Appealing Job Description
Make sure your job description is appealing. In order to attract the right candidates, you need to craft a professional and attractive job description that conveys the purpose and mission of your company. Keep your sentences short, clear and concise. Use keywords that are important for this position; if you have any required skills or experience that are essential for the role, make sure they’re mentioned!
Use a template: It’s easy to get carried away when writing about yourself or your company—and before you know it, you’ve written an entire book on what makes you special (which can be great if it’s actually engaging content!) But more often than not, it’s better to keep these descriptions on point by using templates for each section of the letter (e.g., “Our Company”). Just like we discussed in our article on how companies use templated resumes when hiring new employees!
Use a professional tone: Your job description should always come across as professional whether applying through email or paper forms (in fact, most people prefer receiving their applications via email). So keep this in mind while crafting your letters be creative but also considerate at all times.”
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Define Your Ideal Candidate
Your ideal candidate should have the skills and experience necessary to perform the job. They should be an expert in their field, but also possess a passion for the work they do. They will be someone who wants to learn new things and improve their skills every day; someone who is constantly striving to be better than they were yesterday.
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Explain The Work Environment And Culture
While a great job description can attract the right candidates, it’s also important to explain the work environment and culture. This is your chance to show off how awesome your company is, and why people should want to work there. What does the office look like? What does it feel like?
What does it sound like? Are there dogs in the office? Smoking rooms? Ping pong tables? Colorful conference rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a lake or skyline view of downtown Cincinnati with no windows whatsoever but plenty of bright lights that make up for it (just kidding). Whatever perks you offer will be extra important when applicants are weighing their options; so don’t forget about them!
Sell The Job Experiences
Now that you’ve made it through the basics of what the job entails, it’s time to sell the experience. This is where you tell candidates what they’ll get out of your job and how much responsibility they’ll have. You want to give them a clear picture of what their life will be like in this position so that they can decide whether or not it’s right for them.
Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- What are the experiences that you want the candidate to have?
- What are the experiences that you want the candidate to be able to do?
- What are the experiences that you want the candidate to be able to see (such as data)?
- What are some things about your company/organization that would make this position even more attractive than other jobs (like having an impact on people’s lives)?
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Ensure Your Pay Matches The Industry Standards
- Know your industry and the market rate. When it comes to salaries, you need to get a clear picture of what people in your field are making. Do some research on job sites like Glassdoor and Payscale to find out how much money people with comparable positions make in your industry.
- Be realistic about what you can offer. Don’t base salary expectations on previous experience or education; many factors affect compensation: location, market demand for certain skills, company size, and growth potential (among others). It’s always better to underpay someone than overpay them and leave yourself vulnerable should they be replaced by an equally qualified candidate from another company who will do the same work but charge less!
- Be fair with compensation packages both pay and benefits when hiring new talent so that everyone feels appreciated at work while staying competitively priced against rival organizations.”
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Conclusion
If you’ve ever looked at a job description and wondered why the hell they have to be so long, then let us reassure you that it’s not just you. Most job descriptions are unnecessarily wordy and lack clear direction on what the employer wants from their employees.
Sure! Here’s an example of how you can structure the “Further Reading” section using Markdown:
Further Reading
How to Write Good Job Descriptions: Learn valuable tips and techniques for writing effective job descriptions that attract qualified candidates.
How to Write the Best Job Description Ever: Discover a step-by-step tutorial on creating compelling job descriptions that resonate with job seekers.
Want to Write a Better, More Effective Job Description? Follow These 14 Tips: Gain insights from HR experts on enhancing your job descriptions to attract top talent and improve the hiring process.
Feel free to adjust the descriptions according to your preference.
And here’s an example of how you can structure the “FAQs” section using Markdown:
FAQs
How do I write a compelling job description?
Writing a compelling job description involves clearly defining the job responsibilities, outlining desired qualifications, and highlighting the company’s culture and values. It’s essential to use concise language, focus on the most important details, and emphasize the benefits of working for the company.
What should I include in a job description?
A job description should include the job title, a brief overview of the company, an outline of the key responsibilities and duties, required qualifications and skills, any specific certifications or licenses needed, and information about the company’s culture and values.
How long should a job description be?
Ideally, a job description should be concise and to the point. Aim for a length of around 400-800 words, focusing on the essential information that will attract qualified candidates.
Is it necessary to update job descriptions regularly?
Yes, it is crucial to update job descriptions regularly to reflect any changes in the role or the company’s needs. Regular updates ensure that the job description remains accurate and aligned with the current requirements.
Can I use a template for writing job descriptions?
Using a template as a starting point can be helpful, but it’s essential to customize it to fit your specific job requirements and company culture. Templates can provide a framework, but tailoring the description to your organization’s needs is essential for attracting the right candidates.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.