I recently wrote a blog post about using bias language in job descriptions unconsciously which shows was a very important topic for anybody in the industry to read, as it really is a game changer.  

Job descriptions have evolved over the past years.

Gone are the times of the text-laden newspaper adverts or the bulky paragraphs of text on jobs boards. Job-seekers want more and you need to capture their attention in order to win their application.

Sometimes recruiters or HR managers have very specific terms for candidates they want to hire. However, they forget to outline those terms in the job description and in turn are left with a choice of very poor applicants and a loss of time and money.

How to create a winning job description to attract those winning candidates

Job Title & Summary:

Develop a job title for the position you’re looking to fill — the title and level (assistant, senior, lead, Director) should accurately reflect the work that the employee will perform. Be sure to select a job title that reflects your industry’s standards and organization’s culture. Once you’ve defined the position, write a brief description of the purpose of the position and an overview of the position’s main responsibilities. This summary should be short and to the point — one to three sentences should be adequate.

Key Responsibilities:

Here you should list all of the required functions of the position. Normally, this includes 5-10 responsibilities. Start each responsibility with an action verb for example “research social media trends” or “conduct a market research report”. Be clear about how often a task will be carried out or how much time will be spent on each task. This helps candidates establish an idea of what a typical day may look like for them.

Skills & Qualifications:

This is an important one. A lot of people tend to miss out on what skill or qualification is mandatory or preferred. Qualifications should include a list of skills, years of experience in the field they are applying for, certificates/awards and education level. Be very specific with this one so that no time is wasted for either party.

Location:

Include details on where the position is located. If travel is necessary, note what percentage of time the employee will spend traveling and where he or she will be traveling.

Salary Range & Benefits:

If your company is open to disclosing the position’s salary range and benefits (holiday, medical and dental insurance etc. ), include those details within the job description.

Bonus Tips :

  • Use bullet points when formatting. If listing any skill requirements, benefits etc. The use of bullet points will give you’re listing a clean and professional look
  • Adding visuals elements to a winning job description gives you an added advantage. It really captures the application’s attention and gives them a feel for the workplace environment, social clubs and more. It may influence them to apply for the vacancy at your company.
  • If you cannot include the positions specific salary, include a salary range. Doing this will enable candidates to see on average how much the position pays and will encourage them to apply for your roles.