Business Best Practices
9 Tips to Write a Winning Job Description
Apr 1, 2024
Top Tips to Write a Winning Job Description
Free Template + Sample Description + Job Description Review…keep reading
In today’s competitive job market, creating a winning job description is crucial for attracting top talent. A well-written job description not only helps you attract qualified candidates but also sets clear expectations for the role. More than half of job seekers indicate that the quality of a job description influences their decision to apply.
In this comprehensive blog, we’ll explore best practices for writing job descriptions and tips to help stand out and resonate with potential candidates.
Tips for Writing a Great Job Description
1. Understand the Position
Before writing a job description, dedicate time to thoroughly understand the role and its responsibilities. Talk with hiring managers or other employees to truly understand the key duties, skills, and qualifications for the positions. Consider even going the extra mile by shadowing individuals in the role to gain firsthand experience and understanding. By immersing yourself in the day-to-day activities of the job, you can tailor the job description to attract candidates who are neither overqualified nor underqualified.
2. Use Clear and Concise Language
Avoid jargon and industry-specific terms that could be confusing to candidates outside your organization. Use simple, straightforward language to describe the role, responsibilities, and qualifications. Clear communication in a job description ensures that candidates understand what is expected of them in the role. This helps manage expectations from the outset and reduces the likelihood of misunderstandings or dissatisfaction later on. More importantly, candidates appreciate honesty, as we often say “clear is kind.” They also like to know exactly what they are applying for and in the long run leads to a more positive hiring process experience.
3. Highlight Key Responsibilities
Clearly outline the primary responsibilities and duties associated with the role but don’t get too wordy as it could be overwhelming to the viewer. Focus on the core functions of the position and avoid including unnecessary or irrelevant tasks. Use bullet points or numbered lists to make the information easy to read and digest. Bullet points and blank spaces are your friends and easy on the eyes.
4. Define Required Qualifications
Specify the essential qualifications, skills, and experience required for the role. This includes educational background, certifications, technical skills, and years of experience. Differentiate between “required” and “preferred” qualifications to help candidates understand the minimum requirements for the position. Emphasizing required skills is crucial, particularly when seeking candidates with specific qualifications. Candidates often focus their attention on the “required” section of the job description. Excessive bullet points can intimidate the candidate while too little could cause candidates not qualified to apply.
Job seekers only dedicate an average of 14.6 seconds to reading the requirements or qualifications section of a job description
5. Showcase Company Culture and Values
Incorporate language that reflects your company’s culture, values, and mission statement. Candidates are not just looking for a job; they want to work for organizations that align with their values and beliefs. Highlighting your company culture can help attract candidates who are the right fit for your organization. Our attention spans are decreasing by the second, so it’s crucial to get the reader’s attention right off the bat by including a 2-3 sentence blurb with attractive key points about your company.
Example company blurb:
HireLevel is a woman-owned company based in the Midwest providing human capital management and recruitment services nationwide. Basically, if it has anything to do with HR, we can do it! Our goal is to help our clients streamline their HR tasks and make payroll and hiring a breeze.
We offer great benefits valued at over $13,000/yr. including group health insurance, Roth IRA, Paid time off, volunteer day, professional development opportunities, gym membership reimbursement and so much more.
6. Provide Salary and Benefits Information
How did you search for a job? Well, usually the answer is by location and pay. Include information about salary range, benefits, and perks offered for the position. Transparency about compensation and benefits can help attract candidates who are a good fit for the role and your organization. In certain states, pay transparency in a job description is mandatory. Refer to your state website for details. If the salary is negotiable or dependent on experience, clearly indicate this in the job description. Based on experience, imitating pay rates from the description can significantly reduce applicant numbers.
61% of applicants consider salary range to be the most important element of a job description.
7. Optimize for Search Engines
Optimize your job description for search engines by including relevant keywords related to the role, industry, and location. This will help your job posting rank higher in search results and attract more qualified candidates. Use job titles and keywords that candidates are likely to search for when looking for opportunities in your industry. Include links to your career site or company page as this boosts relevancy and shows that you are a real company. The bottom line is: to know your audience and write the description based on that.
Quick Tip: Conduct a Google search for your job title and observe what other companies in your region. Take note of common keywords or questions that arise. Incorporating these keywords or titles in your job description can enhance search engine optimization and increase visibility to potential candidates.
8. Use a Consistent Format
Maintain a consistent format for all your job descriptions to ensure clarity and professionalism. Start with a clear title and summary of the role, followed by sections on responsibilities, qualifications, company culture, and benefits. Use headings, bullet points, and spacing to make the information easy to scan and read.
Free Job Description Template
Click here: Job Description Template & Example
9. Proofread and Edit:
Prior to releasing your job description, review it for any spelling, grammar, or formatting blunders. Typos and errors can diminish the professionalism of your posting and deter qualified candidates from applying. Dedicate time to thoroughly refine your job description to ensure it accurately reflects the role and your organization.
In Conclusion:
Crafting a winning job description is a critical step in attracting top talent to your organization. By following these nine tips, you can create job descriptions that stand out, resonate with candidates, and ultimately lead to successful hires.
Candidates spend an average of 49.7 seconds skimming job ads before they decide on applying for a position. Invest the time and effort into writing clear, concise, and compelling job descriptions, and watch as your candidate pool grows with qualified applicants eager to join your team.
Struggling to find a perfect match for your position?
It could be your job description. Email us your job description for a free review. We would be happy to give you some tips whether it’s a light industrial role, clerical, or professional position.
Email our Recruitment Marketing Manager your job description at lbreeden@hirelevel.com.
Common Job Descriptions we write for our clients include:
- Payroll Specialist Job Descriptions
- Admin Assistant or Customer Service Rep Descriptions
- Warehouse Manager and Associates Job Descriptions
- HR Job Ads
- and more…
HireLevel Resources:
Mastering 2024 Employment Law Updates on April 11th at 9:30 a.m. (CDT)
Are you keeping up with the latest employment law updates? With regulations constantly evolving, it’s crucial to stay informed to navigate the complexities with confidence. Register today.
Attract and Hire Software Demo on April 12th at 12:00 p.m. (CDT)
This system helps employers like you streamline your hiring process, saving you valuable time while helping you find the best-fit candidates for your company. Register today.
Mastering Recruitment & Retention in 2024 on April 24th at 1 p.m. (CDT)
Are you ready to revolutionize your recruitment and retention game in 2024? Join us as HireLevel shares the strategies and insights that will redefine your approach to talent acquisition and employee retention in 2024. Register now.
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