How to Write A Job Description That Attracts Top Candidates

Today’s hiring market continues to be a head-scratcher for many employers.

While there are a wide range of job openings, many positions go unfilled. There are a variety of reasons for this new reality, but one of the most important one is that job seekers are being very particular about who they work for. It’s a candidate’s market and for employers to fill their open positions, they’ll need to re-evaluate employee recruiting.

And that begins with crafting strong job descriptions that move beyond corporate jargon and speak directly to the top applicants you want for your firm.

For hiring professionals, the good news is you don’t have to start from scratch. You can accomplish your goals by re-thinking and re-structuring how you present your hiring opportunities through your job descriptions. This blog will show you how.

Be Clear

The best descriptions state the opportunity clearly, quickly, and professionally. Candidates are coming to your job description because they’re looking for a career change, not to be entertained with corporate buzzwords or “edgy” language that tries to sound innovative. The writing style of your job description should be engaging. But It’s important to focus on providing an accurate picture that will motivate the right jobseekers.

What Are You Looking For?

Being clear also means clearly stating the position, and the skills you’re looking for. Don’t be vague – the more precise your description of the duties of the position, the better tailored the applicants will be. That means including:

• A specific job title that will attract the right candidates
• A clear overview of the role – without getting too far into the weeds
• Desired level of experience – if you’re looking for a senior-level professional, say so
• Job responsibilities – that will paint a clear picture and enable the jobseeker to envision themselves doing the job
• A salary range – it’s not necessary, but it can help avoid wasted time with candidates who are out of your price range. You may also provide the company’s benefits and perks

Describe Yourself

Your job description should provide a sense of the company and what you’re hoping to accomplish in the marketplace. If your firm values strategic thinking, self-reliance, and creativity, emphasize that. To attract the best candidates, they need to see themselves as playing an important role in your organization, so provide a brief overview of the corporate vision and goals. Lastly, include some verbiage on the corporate culture – including any relevant perks or benefits that go with working there.

Review and Revise if Necessary

Once you’ve drafted a description, review it to ensure the qualifications you’re seeking are realistic. If you feel it may be too much or too general, separate the requirements between necessities and “nice to haves.” Remember, you want to weed out candidates that don’t meet your necessary qualifications before they apply. The bottom line is, applicants should understand what qualifications they need to bring to the table, what will be expected of them, and how the position fits their skills.

Inter-Connect is a free permanent, temporary and temp-to-hire placement service agency that partners with companies throughout the Illinois, Missouri and Iowa Tri-State region. As staffing experts, we partner with our job candidates to connect them with the right opportunities to meet their career goals. To learn more, contact us today.