You might think that you don’t need to write a job description for your company. After all, you’re hiring for an administrative position or a line cook, not a CEO. But in reality, writing great Job Descriptions can help you get better candidates and that’s important if you want to grow your business.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Job descriptions provide clarity and define expectations for both employers and employees. |
| Writing your own job description allows you to accurately depict the role and responsibilities. |
| A well-crafted job description attracts qualified candidates who align with your company’s goals. |
| Job descriptions can serve as a reference for performance evaluations and career development. |
| Regularly reviewing and updating job descriptions ensures they remain accurate and up-to-date. |
Understand What Makes A Job Description Great
You’ve written your job description, and now you’re wondering: “Is this good enough?” The best way to answer that question is to understand what makes a job description great.
- Understand the purpose of the job description. A good job description will convey many things the role’s responsibilities and accountabilities, benefits or incentives offered by the company, and how much time goes into each task—but it will also serve two main purposes:
- To help potential candidates decide whether they want to apply for the position
- To highlight the skillsets and experience required for success in this role
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Define The Role And Its Purpose
- Define the role and its purpose
- Outline the responsibilities and duties of the position.
- Describe the skills and qualities you require from applicants. Some examples:
- This job requires someone with a strong work ethic.
- This job requires someone who is detail-oriented and pays attention to every aspect of their work (e.g., grammar, spelling, formatting).
- This job involves working on projects or tasks that are highly confidential (e.g., working with high-level executives).
This is an important part of your description because it helps you determine what kind of worker will thrive in this environment, so think about what kind of person would be able to thrive in this environment—and why!
Identify The Requirements And Qualifications Of The Job
Most job descriptions share a similar format. They will include the skills and experience required for the job, as well as any education or certifications that are necessary.
In other words, what you need to know is:
- What skills and experience are needed?
- What type of education is required?
- Minimum requirements (such as years of experience) or preferred qualifications (like having a degree or certification in X)?
- Preferred skills (for example, proficiency in Microsoft Office).
Describe The Responsibilities And Duties Of The Position
At this point, you’ve described the role, its purpose, and the requirements for applicants. Now it’s time to describe what it will actually be like working in this position. Identify the responsibilities and duties of the position.
For example: “Responsible for leading a team of 3-5 people in developing new products while ensuring they meet quality standards and customer expectations.” Or, “Responsible for maintaining the company’s website by adding content on a regular basis.”
Describing your job duties requires understanding not just what needs to happen but how it should happen as well. It’s important here that you give examples rather than providing only bullet points of tasks; otherwise, it can be hard for potential candidates to tell whether or not they’d enjoy doing them (and make sure you’re describing things accurately).
You should also consider if there are any additional skills required beyond basic qualifications—if so, include them here as well!
Finally, don’t forget about personality! This is where some color comes into play: giving examples from past projects or situations where someone has thrived will give applicants an idea of what kind of person would thrive in your company culture.
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In Some Cases, Outline The Skills And Qualities You Require From Applicants
In some cases, outline the skills and qualities you require from applicants. This may include their experience, level of education, or other qualifications. The more specific you are here, the better. For example:
- We are looking for someone with three years of experience in a sales role who has also worked as an independent contractor in retail before joining our team.
- Someone who is motivated by challenge and has a desire to work hard for their own benefit rather than just for the company’s gain would be ideal.
Add Some Personality To Your Job Description
This is where you can add some personality to your job description. While it’s important to be clear and concise, you’ll want to do more than just outline the duties of the role.
Think about what personality traits would be ideal for someone filling this role; if you’re looking for someone who can be a team player, make sure that’s reflected in your description. You might even add in a fun fact or two about yourself or your business that might help pique their interest this is especially true if they’re from out of town!
Make Each Posting Unique
When you write a job description, you have to get creative. No matter how much you may want to, there’s no way that every single word in your posting can be tailored specifically for any one candidate. So instead of trying to be so specific that it reads like an ad for a dating site (because we all know those don’t work), focus on using different words and phrases when describing similar things.
To illustrate this point:
Imagine the following are all words that describe the same person in your company: “excellent communicator,” “team player,” and “ambitious.” You could say something along the lines of “We need an excellent communicator” or “An ambitious team player who communicates well is needed here.”
The two sentences aren’t identical but they aren’t far off either—and neither one tells us anything about what makes this person truly special or different from all other candidates who have applied!
Instead, try something like this: “We need an excellent communicator who is also an ambitious team player.” This sentence provides some specifics while still leaving room for interpretation; it gives both sides some wiggle room so they’ll feel comfortable applying if their experience matches up with what’s written here without feeling boxed into any particular mold (which wouldn’t be good).
Proofread And Edit Your Listing Before Publishing It
Before you publish your listing, proofread and edit it thoroughly. Be sure to have a good grasp of the language you are using before you start writing, as well as use spell check and grammar check to ensure that your job description is written well.
Use a thesaurus to find the right word to use if you’re struggling with how best to describe yourself or your company. Make sure your job description is clear and easy to read so that people can find out more about what it’s like working for you or within your industry without having any difficulty reading through it.
Use An Online Template As A Starting Point For Writing Your Own Job Description
Templates are an excellent way to get started with writing your own job description. However, a template is only a starting point, not a finished product. You still need to edit and tailor the template to make it unique to you and your organization.
A template can help you identify what parts of your job description will be most effective at attracting candidates who are qualified for the job. It also helps you think about what information each section should include so that it aligns with industry standards and makes sense from an applicant’s perspective.
There May Be Legal Requirements You Need To Comply With When Writing Your Job Description
There may be legal requirements you need to comply with when writing your job description. You must not discriminate against people with disabilities and criminal records, so it’s important that your job descriptions are written in a fair and non-discriminatory way.
If you have an employee with a disability, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that you provide reasonable accommodations to enable that employee to do the essential functions of his or her position.
For example, if an applicant has vision loss and uses screen readers as part of their daily routine at work but can’t use them in a phone interview due to time constraints, then it might be reasonable for you to offer accommodations like this one:
“We can schedule an additional 30 minutes for our phone interviews so that all candidates have enough time for any additional questions.” This is one example of many possible accommodations you should consider each case individually based on what’s fair for both parties involved.
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Your Company’s Internal Policies May Impact How You Write A Job Description, Too
Whether you’re a first-time job description writer or have been writing them for years, it’s important to understand that there are some things that should be included in every job description. If your company has its own internal policies, like health insurance or vacation days, these will likely influence the way you write a job description.
For example, if your company doesn’t offer paid sick leave or unlimited vacation time but you do want those benefits listed in your position’s posting, then consider consulting with HR prior to drafting it so they can help answer any questions and ensure everything is legally compliant.
If there aren’t any specific internal policies at play when composing a listing (which is often the case), then all bets are off! You’re free to include whatever perks or requirements make sense for this particular opening; however, we do recommend keeping things relatively simple by listing only what matters most (like salary).
Want to attract top talent? Learn how to write a job description that stands out. Discover valuable tips and insights in our guide on How to Write a Job Description That Attracts Top Talent and make your hiring process more successful.
Writing Great Job Descriptions Can Help You Get Better Candidates
Great Job Descriptions can help you get better candidates.
Writing your own Job Descriptions gives you complete control over how they’re written, and they will be tailored to the specific job you need to fill. This makes them more likely to attract candidates who are truly a good fit for your company, instead of just anyone looking for work.
If you’re not sure where to start, here are some tips:
Keep it simple! A great job description is clear and concise—no fluff or jargon. If you don’t know what something means or forget how it’s spelled, leave it out! Only include details that matter most for this particular position (for example, if there are two positions available but only one requires previous experience with Excel spreadsheets).
Use active language instead of passive; this will make the descriptions easier for applicants to read through quickly without getting bogged down by long sentences or complex wording. It also gives them more confidence in applying because everything seems straightforward enough that they’ll know exactly what’s expected when they submit their application materials later on down the road (which leads us right into our next point).
Writing a professional job description requires attention to detail. Explore our guide with 15 Tips for Writing a Professional Job Description to ensure you capture the essential elements and effectively communicate your expectations.
Conclusion
If you think about it, your job description is one of the first things that potential candidates will read about your company and its culture. You may have a great product or service, but if you don’t show that off in your job postings, then you’re missing out on potential hires.
By taking some time to write up a great listing with all the details listed above, you’ll find yourself with more qualified applicants and ultimately save time in the long run!
Further Reading
How to Write Your Own Job Description: Indeed’s career advice provides insights and tips on how to effectively write your own job description.
How to Write Your Own Job Description: A Step-by-Step Guide: This comprehensive guide by ScoutLogic Screening offers a step-by-step approach to help you write your own job description.
Writing an Effective Job Description: Wright State University’s Human Resources department shares valuable information on writing an effective job description.
Now, let’s move on to the FAQs section:
FAQs
How do I write a job description that stands out?
Crafting a job description that stands out involves focusing on key responsibilities, qualifications, and showcasing your company culture to attract top talent.
What should I include in a job description?
A comprehensive job description should include the job title, duties and responsibilities, qualifications and requirements, desired skills, and any other relevant information about the position.
How long should a job description be?
Ideally, a job description should be concise and to the point, typically ranging from 300 to 700 words. Avoid excessive details and focus on the essential aspects of the role.
Can I use templates for writing a job description?
Yes, using job description templates can be helpful as a starting point. Customize the template to align with your specific needs and ensure it accurately reflects the requirements of the position.
How often should I update job descriptions?
It’s advisable to review and update job descriptions periodically, especially when there are significant changes in the role, responsibilities, or requirements. Regular updates help maintain relevancy and accuracy.
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.