More times than not, a job description is the first thing a candidate will see when they are introduced to your company. Because of that, you’ll want to make a good first impression – especially if you want to stand out from the competition and attract top talent.
At ETS, we’ve had nearly 40 years of experience crafting compelling job descriptions for our clients. We’ve fine tuned our practice over the years – editing, brainstorming, researching and connecting with candidates to see which type of job descriptions will catch their eye.
We’ve found what works best for us, and today we’re here to share with you our guide to creating a unique, informative job description.
Keep it Short & Sweet
Keep your descriptions short and sweet. Candidates don’t want to read through pages of content for one job. And most of the time, they’ll be skimming it anyway.
Use concise phrases and bullet points wherever possible, making sure to avoid unnecessary wording and long run-on sentences.
Include Action Words
Use action verbs when describing the daily duties of the role. Include words such as monitor, execute, advise, lead, identify, resolve, maintain, facilitate, etc.
Avoid using company jargon that a candidate may not understand or be easily confused by. Action words can help effectively and concisely describe any role.
Don’t Forget Requirements & Skills
Highlight the requirements needed for the position – do you require a degree or relevant experience? Maybe both? Make sure your requirements are clearly laid out and noticeable to potential candidates. And don’t forget to note the skills needed to exceed in this role. In the requirements section, highlight three to four of the most important skill sets you think are necessary to be successful at your company.
And, better yet – if you don’t require any previous experience or degree and it is an entry-level role, make sure that is noted on your description as well. This will immediately attract the attention of any job seeker that might be just starting out in your industry.
Be Specific
Avoid generalizations and opt for overall clarity. When you’re specific and avoid generic phrases found on Google, you are creating a description that is unique to your company and more eye-catching to candidates.
When it comes to requirements and general duties, strive to be as specific as possible.
Use a Human-Centered Approach
Speak to candidates like humans. Use language that they will understand and connect with. Showcase your company identity and how you got to where you are today. Avoid unnecessary information and get straight to the point.
Creating a conversational tone in your job description will reinforce your company’s human-centered approach.
We know how important it is to connect with candidates directly, especially through job descriptions. With ETS’ customized staffing solutions, we’ll be your one-stop-shop for all of your hiring needs – from writing job descriptions that optimize SEO to finding the right qualified candidates for your open positions. We’ll serve as a spokesperson for your company to ensure your brand is highlighted in a unique light to potential job seekers. To learn more about our workforce resources, live chat with an ETS team member now!
