How to Write a Job Description (Attract the Best Talent)

REMOTEful
5 min readJun 24, 2022

One of the most crucial responsibilities in recruitment is to write a job description perfectly.

Why is it essential to know how to write a job description?

It will aid in attracting the most qualified candidates for your open position if it’s done well.

A well-written job description will also aid you in screening applicants and determining whether they are a good fit for the role.

To write an effective job description, you’ll need to include the following information:

1. Job title

2. Summary of responsibilities

3. The qualifications required

4. Work environment and company culture etc.

How to write a job description

Attracting the proper candidate is the first step in hiring the right talent.

What do you say?

A job description that is effective and engaging is key in this case.

The best job descriptions contain:

— — A touch of marketing

— — The reality of the role

— — Skills and competencies

— — The culture of the company.

So, bearing all these things in mind, let’s know how to write a job description.

Know how to write the job title

Let’s imagine a story. A company wanted to fill its manager post.

The job title for this post was ‘Be a Superstar of our Company.’

Catchy title, no doubt.

But will any candidate search that job title on a job board, for example, on REMOTEful?

Not at all.

A fantastic job title is one that you search for as a job seeker.

So, keep two things in mind.

  • Use industry-standard job title. For example, ‘Branch manager.’
  • Please keep it straightforward.

You’ll get more quality candidates if you stick to standard job titles.

If you understand this, you know well now how to write a job title.

Cheers.

Job title example

A job title should have a key phrase that clearly describes the role.

Some of the job title examples are:

  • Branch manager
  • Marketing manager
  • Sales manager
  • Software engineer
  • Customer service representative

Job Summary

Stop.

Before starting writing, assume prospective job seekers don’t know anything about your company.

That means it’s important to mention company culture in the job summary and explain why the candidates would love to work in this company.

Only this?

No..no..no..

  • Start with a powerful, attention-grabbing summary.
  • Why is your company unique? Explain this. This way, you can hook the readers.
  • Mention job location so that it appears higher in job search results.
  • Use examples (if necessary) to add meaning.
  • An action verb should be used to start each sentence.
  • Make a priority list of various duties (Explain the task, how it’s carried out, and why it’s carried out).

You are reading this article to know how to write a job description, right? So, remember, a job summary is a crucial part of a job description.

Duties and responsibilities

Outline the position’s primary responsibilities.

Keep in mind,

your list of responsibilities is detailed but not excessively long. It emphasizes the responsibilities that are unique to your company.

For example, you are hiring for an “Event Management’ role.

Okay, fine.

This role requires a sound knowledge of social media expertise.

If so, include this so that candidates can be aware of the requirements and assess if they’re qualified.

Secondly,

Help candidates to understand the work environment.

The question is, how?

Very simple.

Highlight the position’s day-to-day responsibilities.

This will help the candidate determine whether they are the right fit for the position.

And your benefit is it will help you attract suitable candidates for the job the role.

Thirdly,

Specify what role the employee will play in your company, helping the candidate see the bigger picture.

Qualifications and skills

By this time, you have got a perfect idea of how to write a job description.

But some little more to add.

Please read the rest of the part attentively. Thank you.

  • Include hard and soft skills (for example, problem-solving skills).
  • Mention what certifications are needed.
  • Specify what technical knowledge and work experience are required.

Bonus Tips: Highlight only those qualifications and skills that are mandatory for the position. At the same time, bear in mind, do not add too many. This may dissuade potential candidates.

Salary and benefits

According to a 2021 REMOTEful research, nearly 72% of candidates stated they never or just rarely see the job advertised that did not include salary information.

***The study was conducted on 1500 people.

  • Include a pay band in your job description to set yourself apart from other employers.
  • You can attract the best-fit candidates by adding a salary band.

Only this?

No.

Most of the best-fit candidates decide whether or not to accept the job offer after considering the company’s benefits and perks.

So, offer attractive rewards and benefits. For example,

  • Flexible hour
  • Health insurance
  • Reduced prescription drug costs
  • Company transportation
  • Travel benefits
  • Life insurance, etc.

I think you are clear enough about the job description format now.

Job description and job specification

This is a bonus discussion on my behalf.

Some people think job description and job specification is identical thing.

No, friend.

A job description states the responsibilities, tasks, and functions of a given job within a company.

A job specification is a document of the skills, personality traits, qualifications, training, and experience an individual needs to perform the job.

Wrap Up

A job description can speak with the candidates.

Strange?

But it’s possible.

Just know the perfect art on how to write a job description.

We have already discussed a lot in the above sections on how to write a job title, job description format, job title examples, what a manager’s job description should have, and more.

Is not it?

Consider yourself in the shoes of a job seeker to ensure your job posting speaks directly to them.

Some excellent secrets I am going to share with you now.

Just one more minute, please.

Thank you.

According to a study, candidates generally look for jobs during breaks or after dinner.

It means they are short on time.

How to attract them in this short period?

Read my following golden formula:

  1. Make sure the job description is easy to read and straightforward.
  2. Divide the text into 3–4 phrase chunks to make it more digestible (Pro Tips)
  3. Make it easy to scan. How? Simple, use bullet points.
  4. Use simple vocabulary. Why? So that anyone can understand.
  5. Follow what I have discussed before in this article.

Congratulation! You have completed this fantastic course (how to write a job description.)

original by https://remoteful.dev/blog/write-job-description

--

--