The Importance of Writing an Accurate and Appealing Job Description

When you’re looking to hire new employees, you want to make it as easy as possible to find the most qualified candidates. That goes without saying. But did you know the best place to start is actually in the job description? When you clearly describe the position, qualifications and your company, you make it much easier to appeal to the right candidates. This doesn’t mean to make your qualifications list too long, because you can actually end up alienating candidates that could have been a great fit.

It means organizing information to strike just the right balance between “too much” and “not enough” and help candidates self-limit themselves to apply (or not apply).

Pay attention to how you describe the role

Don’t get too flowery. Sometimes companies use fancy titles that obscure what the role actually is. Your best bet is to keep the job title simple and straight forward. Then, include exactly what the person will be doing, avoiding jargon or company-only terms a candidate might not understand.

Be careful about qualifications

Divide qualifications into “must haves” and “nice to haves.” Obviously, a person will need certain education and experience to prepare them for the role. Any other skills the role absolutely requires should be listed in the required qualifications. Pay close attention to skills the person can learn on the job, or those that might help them, but certainly wouldn’t set them back if they don’t have them. When a job description includes too many requirements, it can scare off candidates that could be perfect for the job.

Describe the company culture

Do you have a relaxed dress code, work-at-home opportunities, team-building days, great coffee in the breakroom, a fantastic employee lounge, a rich benefits package, ample or unlimited paid time off, profit sharing, 401(k) or more? Talk about it in your job description. And remember, not every work environment will suite every candidate, so important details you can add about culture will help potential employees make their decision before applying.

Include salary details

Some companies are able to advertise what a role will pay, while others list a range employees can earn based on experience. These are details that help candidates know right up front if the job is something that will be right for them.

Need guidance?

If you’re looking to hire more workers and could use support, it always helps to work with a staffing partner. You can get help with some or all the steps involved in the hiring process. And if you don’t yet have a staffing partner, check out Inter-Connect. To learn more, visit us online today!