Before you begin writing your company’s job description for a new hire, you want to make sure you get it right. You can avoid hiring problems like unqualified candidates, interview no-shows or too few responses if you focus on creating a well-written job posting. Here are some ways you can get your job description writing process to work better.
Start With Research
The first place to start when writing a job description is with extensive research. Know exactly what you’re looking for when you’re trying to hire a new employee. Look at well-written examples of job descriptions to get some inspiration. Additionally, be realistic about your expectations for job candidates. Depending on the nature of the work and the level of the employee, you should expect a certain number of years of experience and a specific education level. Finally, make sure you have accurate details about salary and job components before you begin the writing process.
Incorporate Searchable Keywords
Next, learn about how using searchable keywords can help your job posting get more applicants. Understanding how these words are used can help you make your job posting more effective. According to MightyRecruiter, keywords can help increase potential job applicant views of your posting by 116 percent. Essentially, you want the right people to be able to find your job posting and submit their resume for consideration. Pay careful attention to the job title you use in your job description writing, and make sure it is a real example of a typical job in the industry rather than a unique one that will puzzle potential applicants.
Perfect the Job Summary
Then it’s time to write the summary of the job in question. Instead of crafting a boring list of job requirements, think like a marketer and aim to sell this position to a potential qualified applicant. Make your language speak to the reader by inviting a job applicant to consider the opportunity. Give an overview of why this job is important and why a candidate might want to apply. Use second person pronouns to encourage the right person to take action.
Use a Detailed List of Responsibilities
A key part of the writing process for a job description is listing the typical responsibilities that the employee will take on. Avoid complicated, jargon-filled language that could detract from your job posting’s message. Instead, opt for strong, clear action verbs to begin each possible job duty. Give specific examples of daily tasks to help the reader visualize what an average day looks like in the role at your company.
