How to Write an Effective Job Description

Author: ILSPA

When seeking out a new employee to fit into your company, the first step you will take as a recruiter will be to draft a job description. A well-written job description will convey the company’s ethos whilst outlining all the responsibilities and experience required of the candidate. Your job description will offer your potential candidates the first impression of your company and also provide them with their first point of contact. It is essential to understand the importance of writing a good job description; the aim is to attract a professional and talented candidate, the key word in this being ‘attract’. Every company wants the best employee, someone who is passionate about the role as well as adept in their responsibilities; it therefore makes sense to ensure that the job description is attractive to top candidates. Job descriptions should be carefully thought about to ensure that they encompass all of the relevant information as well as spark interest in potential applicants. With this guide we will talk you through some of the essential points to include to ensure the next job that you post gets the attention it deserves.

The opening to any job description is the title. Remember that this may be the only line a candidate will see as they browse through pages of job advertisements. Keep it clear and concise - include enough information to summarise the role in a succinct and self-explanatory sentence. Keywords are an important asset to utilise, as popular keywords are more likely to show up in job searches. Think carefully about which keywords would most appropriately apply to the job you are posting. It is also beneficial to include anything appealing about the role which will catch candidates’ attention such as working with a friendly team or in a good location.

Following on from the title, the job description should follow a checklist of points. We recommend ticking off the same checklist each time you come to write a new job description, ensuring that all the relevant information has been covered. We advise that your list comprises of the subsequent central areas:

Job Overview: We recommend starting with an overview of the position offered. This should include a definition of the role within the company, necessary daily duties and any other responsibilities required. Responsibilities are best written in bullet point format, to enable viewers to scroll through the document easily. It is important to be completely transparent about all of the responsibilities required of the employee, this ensures that there is no confusion when it comes to starting the role and can be used as an on-going reference point throughout the candidate’s working life.

Company Information: This is the chance to give the candidates a feel for the company. Use this section to write a brief description of the company that embodies the company’s culture. You could include details such as the company’s goals and ethos as well as general information such as office location and how many countries the company operates in. If your company has a particular feel to it, be it dynamic, traditional or niche, try to embody that feeling in the language you use. The goal of the job description is to attract candidates who are right for the company; through showing personality, likeminded individuals will be drawn to apply.

Skills, Proficiencies and Qualifications: This is the section in which you focus on your person specification. Outlining the ideal candidate for the role enables applicants to develop a clearer picture of the type of person that is being sought. This section should include details such as the level of experience required, both mandatory and preferred skills wanted and level of professionalism sought.  Again, this section is best written in bullet point format. The more refined the person specification, the more refined the candidates who apply will be. Although it helps to describe the personality your company is looking for, it is vital to make sure that your job description is free from any discriminatory tones in regards to age, gender, etc.

Salary and Contract Details: It is very important to include details of the salary, contract length and any benefits within the job description. Candidates may not apply for positions where the salary isn't stated as knowing exactly how much they will earn is a big factor in choosing a role. Many career-minded job seekers will also want to know what the scope for promotion and progression is within the company. 

Contact Information: You should end your job description with your preferred means of contact for any applications or enquiries. Although this may seem obvious, it is surprising how many job posts fail to include this necessary information.

We highly emphasise the importance of an excellent level of spelling, punctuation and grammar within your job description, ensuring that you are also aware of correct formatting. Set the bar for your future employees by demonstrating the level of professionalism you expect from them yourself. Ensure that your job description shows that you have put effort, thought and care into writing it. Put yourself in the job seeker’s shoes and think about all the questions you would want to know the answer to when embarking on a new role. Taking time to provide answers to those questions within the job description will save more time in the long run when it comes to the interviewing process. Remember that people mirror each other, and a thoughtful and professionally written job description is more likely to attract a thoughtful and professional candidate. Good luck in your search for the perfect applicant!