First impressions matter. Your job description is the first thing that gets you connected with the candidates. Writing compelling job descriptions is the most vital thing in the recruitment process as it not only attracts talent to click on your job ad but sells your employer’s brand.
Although every recruiter and hiring manager spends some time writing an attractive job ad, not every ad draws many suitable applicants. The secret sauce to writing an effective job description is finding the perfect balance between showcasing the job details and company culture and keeping it short. Engaging job descriptions prompt the potential candidates to apply and help you speed up the hiring process. If you wonder what makes a job ad compelling, consider the below tips for writing effective job descriptions.
7 Best Tips to Write Effective Job Descriptions
Use Clear Job Titles
When advertising open jobs, you need to use clear and accurate job titles. Unrealistic phrases or internal jargon may confuse the job applicants, and you may miss out on potential hires. So, stick to the standard terms and use informative job titles rather than generic or fancy ones. However, you should make sure the title is short and precise.
Talk to the Candidates Directly
Remember that you are writing job descriptions to attract applicants. So, talk to them directly and clearly about the job role. You might be a great writer in your office, but using highly technical or internal jargon will only turn your candidates off from applying to the job position. According to a LinkedIn survey, 61% of job seekers say the salary range is the most important part of the job description. Here is what candidates feel is most important.
Compensation 61%
Qualifications 49%
Job details 49%
Performance goals 33%
Company culture 28%
Company mission 27%
Career growth 25%
Company details 23%
While it is essential to tell candidates how much your job can support them and their families, do not let salary information outshine the job. You need to include every other detail that describes your job and company to help them understand if they are eligible for the role.
Describe Responsibilities & Tasks
Rather than scaring them off with the poorly described roles and responsibilities using highly technical terms, simply describe their daily tasks. Help them understand how their typical day looks clearly and concisely. Say, if you’re advertising for a Social Media Marketer role, it is easy to write, “You will be responsible for handling social media marketing.” But describing their tasks will draw more applications.
- Manage the organization’s online presence and brand image by developing great strategies.
- Analyze engagement data and identify trends in customer interactions.
- Use social media marketing tools for planning, implementing, managing, and monitoring.
Sell your Job
Candidates will have one or multiple reasons to leave their current job. The right way to sell your job is to find the right person for the job. So, you need to cover every good aspect of your company like benefits, perks, work culture, opportunities for work and career growth, flexibility, etc. This way, you will attract candidates who are looking for the job you’re offering.
Promote your Company
Studies show that 46% of job seekers feel company culture is vital when applying to a company. You need to showcase your company culture and talk about the benefits and work environment to grab their attention. Give the candidates compelling reasons why they should apply for your job. You need to first understand how your employees feel working with your company. A minimum of internal research will help you develop a good job description. However, do not drag the description to a lengthy one; make sure your job is clear and crisp.
Be Concise using Bullet Points.
A study shows that shorter job posts receive 8.4% more applications than average. Make your job description look short and easily digestible. The bullet points will make it easy for candidates to read and understand the position clearly. Moreover, bullet points are one of the best ways to deliver clear information while encouraging curiosity.
Verify the Job Details on all Platforms
Nobody trusts a company that posts a job ad with spelling or grammar mistakes. And it would badly reflect on your company brand. So pay attention to every word of your job ad, no matter which platform or job board you post it on. Plan your ad well, double-check the copy and let it get proofread to avoid errors.
Also, check with your hiring manager about the job roles and responsibilities before posting the ad to prevent your candidates from getting surprised later in the interview.
Bottom Line
A greatly crafted job description helps you begin the hiring process smoothly. Your job ad should successfully pique candidates’ interest and draw many applications from potential hires. Once that happens, you can take the candidates through the hiring process and convince them to join, showcasing your brand image, career opportunities, and culture.
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