Although it can be tempting to keep it brief, writing a thorough job description can save you time in the long run. Sifting through a pile of CVs where none of the applicants are right for the job, or worse, not receiving any applicants can be demoralising.

So, save yourself time and find the best candidates who are right for the job with our top tips on writing a job description:

 

Give a brief description of the company

A short paragraph about the company can help applicants decide if they’d be a good fit for the organisation. It gives potential employees more information about the company and get excited about applying.

Be careful not to overdo it though. No matter how fantastic your company is, if there’s several paragraphs about the company but no information on the job itself then candidates won’t apply.

 

List the job duties

Explain clearly what the day-to-day duties are. Include technical terms where needed but avoid using unnecessary jargon. The more information you can give on what a typical day in the role will look like, the better chance you have of attracting the right candidates.

Don’t be tempted to try to embellish the job description to try and make the role sound better or more senior. All that will result in is overqualified candidates applying who will feel as if their time has been wasted when they find out the reality of the position.

 

Specify what kind of person you’re looking for

Give a bullet point list of what you’re looking for in a candidate. Split the requirements into two lists of ‘essential’ and ‘desired’ qualities if needed.

Try to keep the list of requirements as concise as possible. Too long a list can put candidates off or make them feel like the position requires too many qualifications to be attainable.

 

Include any benefits

In today’s competitive market it’s also important to show what you can offer a candidate. Mentioning some of the benefits your company offers can set you apart from the competition when trying to attract top candidates.

Most importantly, be honest about what you can offer potential employees. Don’t promise something that you won’t be able to follow through on when you make the hire.

 

Now that you have your well-written job ad, make sure to put it in front of as many active and passive candidates as possible at [site_name].