Are you struggling to attract the right candidates for your open roles? Since 75% of job seekers consider the job description a critical factor in deciding whether to apply, it’s crucial to write the best job description.
A well-written job description not only helps candidates understand the role but also showcases your company as a desirable place to work, setting the stage for meaningful connections.
For companies looking to build high-performing teams, crafting an effective job description is the first step toward hiring success. Follow these tips to stand out in today’s competitive market.
5 Quick Wins for Job Description Writing
- Speak Directly to the Candidate: Use “you” instead of “the ideal applicant” to make the description feel personal and engaging.
- Showcase Day-to-Day Life: Include a brief, realistic snapshot of what a typical day looks like in the role.
- Use Action-Oriented Language: Write in an active voice to create excitement, e.g., “Lead cross-functional projects” instead of “Will be responsible for leading projects.”
- Emphasize Team Dynamics: Highlight collaboration opportunities or the team structure to show how the role fits in.
- Make It Mobile-Friendly: Format for easy reading on smartphones with short paragraphs and plenty of white space.
What Makes an Effective Job Description?
A good job posting does more than list responsibilities. If done well, it should include must-have skills, essential functions of the role, working conditions, and any physical demands of the job. It should communicate your organization’s mission and vision and set clear expectations before potential candidates apply.
1. Start with a Clear Job Title
Choose a job title that is concise and descriptive to ensure it aligns with the essential physical requirements and skillset for the role. Avoid jargon or overly creative titles that may confuse candidates. For example, “Marketing Manager” is more effective than “Growth Guru.” Clear and accurate titles ensure your listing appears in relevant search results and attracts a qualified applicant pool.
2. Write a Compelling Opening Summary
The opening summary should grab attention and provide an understanding of why the role matters. Summarize what the role entails, the highlights of your benefits package, and any other duties that the candidate needs to be aware of. Mention your company’s mission and how the position contributes to achieving it. Highlight any unique aspects of your company culture or benefits to establish a connection with candidates.
3. Detail the Core Responsibilities
List 5-7 key responsibilities in bullet points, starting with the most critical operations performed in the role. Use action-oriented language such as “lead,” “develop,” and “manage” to provide clarity. This helps candidates quickly understand the role’s expectations and assess whether they meet the job requirements.
4. Specify Essential Qualifications and Minimum Required Skills
Be clear about the must-have qualifications and skills for the role. These might include technical expertise, certifications, or soft skills that are essential for success. For instance, highlight whether the role demands specific capabilities or physical tasks. Include “nice-to-have” skills or specialized experience but avoid listing unnecessary qualifications that might discourage otherwise capable candidates.
5. Define What Success in the Role Will Look Like
Outline measurable outcomes or key performance indicators (KPIs) for the role, providing candidates with a clear vision of success. For example, “Increase social media engagement by 20% within the first quarter.” This allows candidates to assess if they possess a working knowledge of the required tools and strategies needed to achieve these goals.
6. Highlight Opportunities for Growth and Development
Showcase how this role fits into a larger career path within your company. What new skills can applicants look forward to learning? Mention professional development programs or pathways that promote complete mastery of the field. Discuss mentorship opportunities or leadership tracks to demonstrate how your organization invests in employee growth and builds a strong talent pool for future opportunities.
7. Tailor to the Global Talent Pool
If applicable, emphasize inclusivity through remote work options, flexible schedules, or diversity initiatives. Show how your company accommodates and promotes an equitable recruiting process. These details broaden your appeal to a diverse range of candidates and make your listing competitive on a global scale.
8. Add a Unique “Day in the Life” Section
Help candidates visualize themselves in the role by detailing the operations performed on a typical day. Include specific examples of tasks, team interactions, and challenges to provide a real-world look into the position. This helps candidates evaluate if they have sufficient comprehension of the job’s daily demands.
9. DON’T Skip the Compensation
Transparency about salary and benefits is crucial for building trust and complying with certain countries’ legal requirements. Include a salary range, bonuses, or other perks such as health insurance, retirement plans, or paid time off. Being upfront about compensation strengthens your ability to attract top-tier talent.
10. Include a Call to Action (CTA)
End the job description with a strong CTA that encourages candidates to apply. For example, “Ready to make an impact? Submit your application today!” Provide clear instructions for the application process.
Good vs. Not Good Job Description Examples
| Aspect | Good Example | Bad Example |
| Job Title | “Senior Data Analyst with Expertise in Predictive Analytics” | “Data Analyst” |
| Job Responsibilities | – “Develop and implement predictive models using Python and R.”
– “Collaborate with cross-functional teams to derive actionable insights.” |
– “Analyze data.”
– “Create reports.” |
| Required Skills | – “Proficient in SQL, Python, and Tableau.”
– “3+ years in data visualization and reporting.” |
– “Experience in data.”
– “Good at analysis.” |
| Company Overview | “Join our mission-driven team at 1840 Staffing, a global leader in talent solutions.” | “We are a growing company that needs people to join our team.” |
| Specific Attributes | – “Certified in AWS or Azure preferred.”
– “Strong written and verbal communication skills.” |
– “Knowledge of IT is a plus.” |
| Language Requirements | “Fluent in English; additional proficiency in French is a plus.” | “Must know English.” |
| Work Environment Details | – “Remote role; flexible working hours between EST and CET time zones.” | “This is a remote job.” |
| Inclusivity Statement | “We encourage applications from all backgrounds, fostering diversity and inclusion in our teams.” | “We are an equal opportunity employer.” |
Where to Add Job Descriptions
To maximize visibility and attract the most qualified candidates, post your job descriptions on these platforms:
- Company Website: Post on your careers page for a professional, branded presence. Optimize for search engines with keywords that are relevant to the job and industry.
- Job Boards and Recruitment Websites: Use platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, and Monster for access to a broad applicant pool. Tailor listings to highlight key qualifications and role responsibilities.
- Industry-Specific Platforms: Post on niche job boards relevant to the field (e.g., GitHub Jobs for tech roles). Target specialized audiences with experience in specific areas.
- Social Media Channels: Share on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to reach active and passive candidates. Use short, engaging descriptions with a link to the full posting.
- Employee Referrals and Internal Networks: Encourage employees to share listings within their networks. Tap into trusted recommendations to find the ideal candidate.
- Local and Regional Job Boards: Use municipal or regional job boards for location-based positions.
- University and Alumni Networks: Share roles suitable for recent graduates with university career centers and alumni groups. Specify any working knowledge or entry-level qualifications.
- Recruitment Agencies: Partner with agencies to streamline the hiring process for hard-to-fill roles. Agencies can pre-screen candidates with the preferred qualifications.
- Community Forums and Groups: Post in relevant Reddit communities, Facebook groups, or online forums.
- Professional Associations and Conferences: Use association websites, newsletters, or job boards at events.
Good Job Description Structure
A well-structured job description includes the following key sections:
- Job Title: Clearly states the position and specifies details like seniority level, location (e.g., remote), and employment type.
- Company Overview: Briefly describe the company, its mission, and its unique selling points to engage potential candidates.
- Job Summary: Provide a concise overview of the role, including main responsibilities and how it contributes to the company’s goals.
- Key Responsibilities: Outline the primary tasks and expectations of the role in a clear, bullet-pointed format.
- Required Skills and Qualifications: List the essential qualifications, skills, and experience needed for the role.
- Preferred Skills: Highlight additional preferred qualifications that would be advantageous but are not mandatory.
- Work Environment: Include details about location, remote options, working hours, and collaboration tools.
- Why Join Us: Emphasize company benefits, culture, and career growth opportunities to make the position appealing.
- How to Apply: Provide clear instructions for submitting applications, including contact details or an application portal.
Who Can Help You Create Compelling Job Descriptions?
Partnering with a staffing agency can significantly improve your job descriptions and hiring process. 1840 Staffing specializes in crafting job postings that attract top talent and streamline recruitment. Here’s how we can help:
Collaborating to Tailor Your Job Descriptions
At 1840 Staffing, we start by collaborating with you to understand your unique needs. Through a kickoff call, we refine your job descriptions by focusing on:
- Essential skills and qualifications: Defining the key technical and soft skills required.
- Role-specific details: Highlighting relevant experience or certifications.
- Clear expectations: Setting communication needs for both local and global roles.
- This collaborative approach ensures your descriptions are aligned with the role’s requirements and appeal to the right candidates.
Using Technology to Match Candidates
With advanced tools like our proprietary resume rating system, we assess resumes against your job descriptions, improving candidate quality and saving you time. By incorporating measurable criteria—such as “proficiency in Python”—we can filter applicants more accurately, ensuring only the best candidates make it through.
Making Job Descriptions Inclusive for Global Talent
1840 has extensive experience sourcing talent from over 150 countries. We help you create job descriptions that:
- Use clear, straightforward language.
- Specify time zones and working hours for remote positions.
- Highlight diversity and inclusion to attract a broad, global pool of candidates.
- This ensures your job postings resonate with professionals from diverse backgrounds.
Improving Descriptions with Data
We continuously refine your job descriptions based on hiring data. Whether it’s adjusting unclear responsibilities or revising requirements to filter better-fit candidates, we ensure your postings evolve for ongoing success.
Final Thoughts
Writing a persuasive job description is both an art and a science. Following these tips can attract candidates who align with your company’s needs and culture. However, crafting compelling job descriptions can be time-consuming and challenging. Once you have a pool of great applicants, the next step is interviewing correctly to ensure you find the best fit for your team.
Partnering with an agency like 1840 Staffing can take the guesswork out of hiring. Our experts specialize in creating tailored job descriptions and finding the talent you need to succeed. Schedule a call with our growth experts today and let us help you build your dream team.
