The difference between a good job description and a great one is the difference between simply filling the role and attracting world-class talent. Here are 9 ways to elevate your JD from meh to wow:
1. Use clear and concise language. Speak directly and simply, avoiding jargon that'll be confusing, slang that could seem unprofessional, and overly wordy sentences.
2. Add keywords. Job seekers most often search using keywords. Make sure your job description includes the relevant terms that a job seeker would use to find your job.
3. Be specific. Cookie cutter descriptions aren't great at giving candidates a real sense of the role and your company. Give your JD a personal touch by spelling out distinct responsibilities.
4. Be thoughtful. Strong candidates want to know their work will be valued. Let them know how their contributions will influence your company's overall success.
5. Be transparent. If this role entails long hours and hard work, say so. In doing that, you'll weed out people that don't fit the bill—and you won't be wasting anyone's time. And always quantify the experience level necessary.
6. Share your values. Introduce your company culture. To help you attract candidates who share your vision and ideals, let them know what you stand for.
7. Keep it short. It can be a turn-off to see a wall of text in a job description. Say what you need to, and stop. Outline the specific requirements you're looking for that are mandatory, not a laundry list, which can intimidate and discourage even the best candidates.
8. Formatting helps. To make your post easy to scan and digest, use bullets instead of paragraphs to relay responsibilities and requirements.
9. Don't forget perks. Include any benefits or perks of the job, like 401(k), flextime, profit sharing, stock options, etc., but don't focus on these too much or you might attract the wrong audience.
