How to Write a Job Description to Attract Top Candidates

Knowing how to write a job description is one of the most significant skills a hiring manager or recruiter can have. A high-quality job description will help attract top candidates and pique their interest in your position and company.

Writing a good job description involves more than just stringing together words; it is about knowing and effectively communicating what the position entails and the skills, knowledge, or experience you are looking for in a candidate. You are also selling your company as a fantastic place to work and generating excitement to appeal to the most qualified candidates.

This article will cover more about how to write a winning job description in a moment, but first, let us talk about one channel in particular where you want your job openings to shine: social media.

Key Benefits of Using Social Media for Recruiting

Suppose social recruiting is a trend you are not currently capitalizing on. In that case, it is time to start — 84% of organizations are already using social media to recruit candidates, and 78% have actually made a hire through a social network.

There are many advantages of working social recruiting into your hiring strategy. Here are a few of the major ones:

Increased visibility

When you only post your openings on job boards and your careers page, it will likely only be seen by those actively searching on those channels. However, posting job openings on social media gives you a much better chance of getting your role in front of passive candidates as well. The best places to post jobs include all of the above so you can get your information out to a larger audience.

The ability to target specific audiences

While nearly all social channels allow you to post job descriptions for free, many also offer the option to purchase targeted ads. For example, Facebook’s paid ads allow you to target candidates by location. In contrast, LinkedIn’s sponsored ads can put your posting in front of candidates with the specific skills you are looking for in a professional. 

The opportunity to show off your company culture 

Social media allows you to promote your company culture and show candidates what it is like to work for your company. In fact, 77% of employers using social recruiting are doing so in hopes of boosting their employer brand. Showcase accomplishments, fun events, employee shoutouts on your social channels, and job opportunities for an enticing blend to potential applicants. 

Reduced time-to-fill

Using a wide variety of channels (such as a mix of social media, job boards, and the careers page on your website) rather than relying on just one, you can find more qualified candidates and fill your open positions faster.

Decreased recruiting costs 

Setting up social media accounts and posting your job openings can be free (unless you choose to use paid ads). Even if you go the paid route, an impressive 55% of employers in an SHRM survey found social recruiting to be less expensive than other traditional recruiting methods.

Now that you know why you may want to consider leveraging social recruiting, here are some tips for writing listings that get noticed no matter the channel you’re posting on.

How to Write a Job Description

Be specific

When trying to attract top candidates and narrow your focus to those who are the most qualified, it is vital that you include specific information in your job description. Generally speaking, the more detailed the description, the better. 

The first thing any user will see is the title of your job, so use one that is accurate and precise rather than vague. For example, instead of making the headline of your job description “Hiring a Marketer,” use the full title of the position, such as “Regional Digital Marketing Strategist for XYZ Company.” You will also want to include your exact location, so rather than saying the job site is “Our Corporate Headquarters,” write “Our Corporate Headquarters in Miami, Florida.”

When your job description is specific rather than generic, it will stand out to the right people scrolling past, not just anyone. While a position titled “Hiring a Marketer in our Corporate Headquarters” could attract hundreds of unqualified candidates, a job description titled “Regional Digital Marketing Strategist for XYZ Company at our Corporate Headquarters in Miami, Florida” will attract candidates looking for that exact type of position in your geographic area.

The same goes for the skill sets you include in the listing. Suppose you are looking for a developer with a specific skill set. In that case, you should indicate that you are looking for someone who “is proficient with Javascript, JQuery, and HTML5” rather than just someone with “front-end development experience.”

Be concise

Job seekers do not want to read a novel to understand your job role and whether they are qualified to apply. Typically, they will spend an average of 30 seconds reading a job post before moving on to the next one.

Get to the point quickly while providing job seekers with enough information to understand what you are looking for and to make an informed decision about whether to apply. We recommend limiting your job description to one Word document page or less. According to The Undercover Recruiter, job descriptions that consist of 4,000-5,000 characters have the highest click-to-apply rates—this falls on the higher side of the range.

Highlight the most important information in the title of the job description (such as the specific job role and location, as we just mentioned). Do not overcomplicate your listing with meaningless jargon or acronyms specific to your company, as this could confuse potential candidates and make them question their qualifications. 

Be sure to end with a link or call-to-action (CTA) to drive readers to your website’s full job description or more information.

Use relevant, industry-specific keywords

Although some companies try to stand out by using job titles like “Tech Guru” or “Sales Rockstar” in their job descriptions, this makes it more challenging for job seekers to find your posting online—people do not use words like ‘rockstar’ when they are searching for jobs. 

Instead, use straightforward terms, keywords, and clear job titles that candidates will likely be searching for to increase your chances of ranking organically with major search engines like Google and Bing. For example, if you are looking to attract top candidates in the medical field, be sure to include the term “RN” rather than only referring to the position as a “registered nurse.”

Write for mobile

According to the Pew Research Center, 95% of Americans own a cell phone, and 77% specifically own a smartphone (92% and 88% of those in the 18-29 and 30-49 age ranges, respectively). Indeed determined that 78% of millennials, 73% of Gen Xers, and 57.2% of baby boomers are using their mobile devices to find jobs.

With job seekers using their mobile devices to search for jobs more frequently, you need to know how to write a great job description that works for mobile. This includes writing in a format that works well for mobile viewing, such as breaking up large chunks of text into bulleted lists, breaking the content into sections using section headers, and calling out important information with bold text.

Use the inverted pyramid

Since job candidates spend fewer than 30 seconds reading (skimming) your job postings, it is imperative that you list your most relevant information at the top. This approach — the “inverted pyramid” — is commonly used by journalists and entails putting the most vital information at the top where it is sure to be seen, then funneling it down to the least important content.

Use an engaging image

If you have scrolled through your feed on any social media platform lately, most posts you saw probably included some sort of image, gif, or video. Your job description should be no different. Do not spend time writing a great job description and then forget to accompany it with an engaging image to catch the viewer’s eye. 

Not all job posting platforms allow for the inclusion of an image, but on those that do, avoid using a generic one like your company logo or a stock photo. Instead, use a picture of your modern office space or coworkers collaborating together. You could even feature fun perks of the job, such as a photo from a networking event you held or a yoga class in the office as part of your corporate wellness program. 

Highlighting your company culture and showing what a part of your company looks like will excite job seekers about your open role and the possibility of working for your company.

Be conversational

When executed correctly, a job description feels less like some cold corporate document and more like a natural conversation. This resonates well with modern professionals, especially those of younger generations such as Millennials and Gen Z, because it allows potential candidates to connect with your brand in a low-pressure environment.

Using conversational language also allows your current employees to be conversational with their professional networks and social circles when they share the listing. They can share your job description with just one click on most social platforms, further amplifying the reach of your job posting. More than 50% of companies encourage employee referrals through their social platforms, with many offering bonuses for referring a successfully hired candidate.

Learning how to write a job description that grabs attention and makes the best talent want to apply takes practice, skill, and finesse. 

Examples of Strong Job Descriptions

Sample #1

Job Title: Barista

Job Summary:
Company XYZ is seeking a talented and experienced barista to join our team. The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering exceptional customer service and crafting high-quality coffee beverages. The ideal candidate should have a passion for coffee, be friendly and approachable, and have a track record of delivering exceptional customer experiences.

Responsibilities:

• Prepare and serve high-quality coffee beverages, including espresso, cappuccino, and latte
• Ensure consistent quality and presentation of coffee drinks
• Provide exceptional customer service, including greeting and engaging with customers, answering questions, and recommending menu items
• Maintain a clean and organized work environment, including equipment and utensils
• Follow health and safety guidelines, including proper food handling and sanitation practices
• Operate cash registers and process payments accurately
• Upsell additional menu items, including baked goods and snacks
• Assist in opening and closing duties, including cleaning and restocking supplies
• Attend training sessions and keep up-to-date with industry trends and new products
• Build and maintain positive relationships with customers and colleagues

Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Proven experience as a barista or similar role
• Strong knowledge of coffee preparation techniques and equipment, including espresso machines and grinders
• Excellent customer service and communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to work early morning, evening, and weekend shifts as needed
• Food handling and safety certification is a plus

We’d love to hear from you if you have the skills and experience we’re looking for. Apply today to join our friendly team and help create memorable coffee experiences for our customers!

Sample #2

Job Title: Chef

Job Summary:
Company ABC seeks a talented and experienced chef to oversee our kitchen and ensure the highest quality of food and customer service. The successful candidate will develop and execute our menu, manage kitchen staff, and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations. The ideal candidate should have a passion for culinary arts, be creative, and have a track record of delivering exceptional food and dining experiences.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute the restaurant’s menu, including creating and testing new dishes
• Plan and direct food preparation and cooking activities, ensuring the highest quality of food and presentation
• Manage and mentor kitchen staff, including hiring, training, and scheduling
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations and food hygiene standards
• Monitor inventory levels and order supplies as needed
• Collaborate with front-of-house staff to ensure seamless delivery of food and customer service
• Manage kitchen budgets, including food and labor costs
• Stay up-to-date with industry trends and incorporate new techniques and ingredients into the menu
• Maintain a clean and organized kitchen environment, including equipment and utensils
• Build and maintain positive relationships with customers and colleagues

Requirements:

• Culinary degree or equivalent experience
• Proven experience as a chef or similar role, including experience in fine dining
• Strong knowledge of cooking techniques and ingredients, including preparing and cooking meat, seafood, and vegetables
• Excellent leadership, communication, and team management skills
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to work early morning, evening, and weekend shifts as needed
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations and food hygiene standards
• Food handling and safety certification is a plus

If you possess the necessary skills and experience we seek, we are excited to hear from you. Apply now and join our team, contributing to creating exceptional dining experiences for our guests!

Need additional examples? You can browse our list of A-Z job descriptions! We have a database of over 400 job titles!

Partner with an Experienced Professional Recruiting Firm

We are an award-winning team of experienced recruiting and staffing professionals. We have partnered with major Fortune 500 companies and small businesses across the U.S. to provide the best variety of professional staffing services.

One of the major benefits of working with a professional staffing agency is that they can connect with their vast pool of candidates on your behalf. Professional recruiters are constantly working to expand their professional networks and maintain relationships with active and passive job seekers — and can use those connections to find you the best fit for your next job opening.

See how our recruiting and staffing experts team can take your job descriptions to the next level. Contact our team today to learn more or to get answers to your questions.

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