The first step to finding the right talent for your job opening is to write a job description that not only clearly defines the job duties but also attracts qualified candidates and highlights your company’s values and needs. A job description is the first step in assessing whether an applicant and your company are a good match. In addition to listing precise requirements and responsibilities of the role, a well-crafted job description should give applicants a comprehensive view of both the position and your company (SHRM).
Job Description Tips
- Before starting, consider your company’s needs, as well as what success looks like in the role and within your organization.
- Always use clear and straightforward language; avoid acronyms and jargon.
- In addition to clarity, incorporate inclusive language, steer clear of gendered pronouns, and avoid bias to exemplify your company’s commitment to hiring diverse talent (InclusionHub).
- Adapt emphasis to the role type—highlight strategic impact for leadership positions and flexibility, pay, or team culture for frontline roles.
- Since this is often an applicant’s first impression of your company, make sure it is friendly, inviting, and accurately reflects your brand.
- Use the description to showcase what makes your company unique, tease its culture, and outline the benefits of working there.
Description Template
To help you write a job description that stands out, we have partnered with our friends at Sandbox, a Richmond-based consulting firm specializing in recruiting, to create a worksheet that guides you in outlining the role, responsibilities, and benefits associated with your next job opening.
Download and fill out this template before your next hire.
Need inspiration? Check out our most recent job listing and job description as an example of these best practices in action.
