Are you a hiring manager in need of a modern and comprehensive job description but short on time? Writing a job description is an important process that can mean the difference between an unsuccessful job search and finding the right candidate who will make a positive contribution to your organization.
Writing an effective job description involves more than just doing a quick Google search. From crafting an enticing job title to gathering all of the necessary information, there are specific techniques you can use to make sure your job descriptions are attractive and appealing to potential candidates. If you’re struggling to get started or not sure how to make sure your job description is a success, then you’re in the right place. In this blog post, we will be discussing the do’s and don’ts of writing a job description.
The Do’s
1- Craft an Attention-Grabbing Job Title
When writing up your job descriptions, start with a catchy, yet accurate job title. This will be the first thing job seekers see, and it should reflect not only the position as accurately as possible, but also be keyword searchable and stick out. Make sure it is descriptive enough and doesn’t include any misleading or irrelevant information.
2- Clearly State the Company’s Mission and Values
When outlining the details of the job role, include the company’s mission and values at the start. Explain why an applicant would want to join the organization and provide an opportunity to showcase your employer’s brand and vision. Candidates today are drawn by more than just the salary and job duties because it’s an opportunity for them to align with a company whose values and mission they believe in.
3- Outline Essential and Preferred Qualifications
Outline all of the specific qualifications, abilities, and experiences you are looking for. This will help to narrow down what kind of applicants you will be getting, so it’s important to also include Preferred Qualifications as well. Make sure you include as much information as possible so applicants can see if they are a good fit for the job.
4- State Salary and Benefits
Including the salary and additional benefits upfront in the job description lets potential applicants know the value that comes with the job and if it’s within the range of their expectations. This way you’ll be sure to get quality applicants that understand the overall value of the job and all it brings.
5- Highlight the Excitement of the Role
Think of all of the challenges and skills needed for the job and focus on the most exciting aspects. If the job requires a particular set of skills, talk about how this will benefit their professional growth. You want to appeal to the imagination of the applicant and make it sound like a truly unique opportunity.
The Don’ts
1- Don’t Use Ambiguous Job Descriptions
Don’t be vague in your job descriptions, as this can lead applicants to think the position is not well-defined or that you are disguising something with excessive buzzwords. Also, avoid using too much industry jargon as this could be seen as a requirement and make it difficult for potential applicants that don’t understand the lingo.
2- Don’t Include Unnecessary Information
When writing up your job description, only provide information that is necessary for the position. Things like gender, age, race, and any other potential criteria should not be included, as it can prevent qualified applicants from applying.
3- Avoid Falsely Promising Perks
Don’t include any false promises of additional benefits, salary or job roles. Not only will it incite false expectations for candidates but it also gives off a negative impression about your company as a whole.
4- Don’t Make it Too on Technology
Nobody is going to read a job description that goes on for pages and pages. Use bullets and highlight the important things. Keep your job description concise and make sure you are only including the most important elements. People have a limited amount of time, and you don’t want to lose their attention by adding extraneous information.
5- Don’t Forget to Market Yourself
Finally, don’t forget to market the company and the position during the job description. Provide some insight into the company’s culture for the applicant to get a feel for the environment and make sure to use keywords to optimize the job description for search engines.
Conclusion
Writing a job description involves more than just jotting down duties and expectations or throwing in a few clichéed buzz words. It takes strategy, skill, and creativity to craft an effective job description that will do what it’s supposed to do: attract the right applicants for the job. With the ‘do’s and don’ts’ of job description writing in mind, you should have the guidance necessary to create a job listing that is attractive and efficiently drawn to your ideal candidate.
If you’re looking for an easy way to create job descriptions without abandoning the importance of quality, try HireME’s free AI JD Generator which can help automate your job descriptions and provide you with an efficient and attractive way to get the most out of yours.
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