Job Description Tips for Attracting Talent

As an entrepreneur, the way you craft a job description is crucial to standing out from other employers and attracting your ideal candidates. Here, we’ll provide some tips to help you write compelling and effective job descriptions that attract top talent.

The Importance of a Strong Job Description

Before we dive into tips and tricks, it’s important to note that a job description serves multiple purposes. It not only informs potential candidates about the role and its responsibilities, but it also helps you filter out unqualified applicants. Additionally, it sets clear expectations for the candidate, which can lead to greater job satisfaction and reduced turnover once the candidate is hired.

A well-written job description can also give candidates a look into your company's culture and values, making it more attractive to like-minded individuals. By conveying what makes your organization unique, you can engage candidates who resonate with your company’s mission. Strong matches can lead to a more positive workplace and a stronger sense of belonging for employees.

Be Clear, Simple, and Precise

Here’s our first — and maybe one of the most crucial — job description tips. Be clear and simple, but precise. Candidates should be able to easily understand what the job entails, what qualifications are required, and what your expectations are. Avoid using needlessly lengthy descriptions or overly technical language that might be confusing. Instead, opt for straightforward language that clearly conveys the role's requirements and responsibilities.

This also applies to the formatting of the job description. Headings and bullet points help organize information logically, making it easier to scan and process the key points. Being intentional about formatting can greatly improve the readability and effectiveness of your job posting.

Be Specific and Include Keywords for SEO

When it comes to writing the qualities and requirements for the role, our next tip is to be specific. Give some concrete examples of what these qualities look like in the context of the job so candidates can understand expectations and what success looks like in the role.

Getting specific also helps you attract the candidates with the right skills and experience. Consider what potential candidates might be using when searching for jobs. If you can incorporate those keywords or phrases into your job description, you can improve its visibility on job boards and search engines. Make sure the keywords or phrases aren’t overused or stuffed in all over the place — you might not get the SEO benefits otherwise. 

Highlight Growth Opportunities

Candidates are often looking for roles that offer growth opportunities. If you have anything to highlight — training programs, mentorship opportunities, or career development paths — within your company, add it to the job description. This information can set your company apart and make your job posting more attractive to ambitious candidates who value career advancement.

Key Elements of a Job Description

Now that we’ve established a strategy through the tips and tricks, let’s review the necessary parts of a strong job description.

Job Title and Summary

The job title is the first thing candidates see, so remember our first tip — make sure it’s clear and specific. Skip the internal jargon and creative titles that might be misleading.

The job summary should give a brief overview of the role and its primary responsibilities. This section really sets the stage for the rest of the job description, so make sure it’s engaging enough to capture the candidate's interest.

Responsibilities and Duties

You’ll need to list the core responsibilities and duties of the role — bullet points can make this easier to read. Be specific about daily tasks and expected goals. It can help to include measurable goals and specific tasks can also help candidates envision themselves in the role. This clarity helps candidates understand the scope of the role and what's expected of them from day one.

Required Qualifications

You should also clearly outline the qualifications and skills required for the role. This includes education, experience, technical skills, and any required certifications. Make sure you’re being realistic about what’s required versus what’s preferred. Strict requirements can often keep qualified candidates from applying.

Consider also including soft skills and personal attributes that are important. This comprehensive approach can help you attract well-rounded candidates who excel in various aspects of the role.

Preferred Qualifications

Discerning between required and preferred qualifications can help you identify candidates who bring additional value and can contribute to the company's growth. This section is optional, but it can be useful in finding the best match for your team. Preferred qualifications can highlight desirable but not mandatory skills, which gives candidates an idea of what will set them apart.

Company Overview

It can be helpful to provide a brief overview of your company in the job description. This can include the company’s mission, values, and culture. Candidates can use this to better understand what it's like to work at your organization and whether they’d be a good fit. If your company overview is compelling enough, you might attract candidates who are truly passionate about your mission and eager to contribute.

In addition to your mission and values, you can also include any unique aspects of your company’s culture. If you hold team-building activities, seek community involvement, or have a commitment to sustainability, mention it in the job description. These details help candidates envision what it's like to be part of your team.

Benefits and Perks

One of top selling points for job seekers are the benefits and perks that come with the job. Make sure you highlight whatever is in your benefits package — health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, professional development opportunities, and any other unique perks your company offers. Benefits and perks can be a significant factor in a candidate's decision-making process, so you want to showcase what sets your company apart.

How Justworks Can Help

Justworks has your back, we streamline hiring, onboarding, payroll, and benefits – making things that much easier for you and your team. Plus, we’ve got a ton of checklists and other resources you can download for free (yes, free!).

What’s not to love? With Justworks, you can grow your team while skipping the growing pains. Get started with Justworks today!