What is a Job Description and How to Write an Effective One

What is a job description and why is it important in attracting the best talent? Creating an effective job description is an essential step in the hiring process that helps to ensure you attract the right candidate for the job. It serves as an overview of the position and outlines the specific skills and qualifications that the job holder should possess.

Also read: 4 Tips to Attract the New Wave of Talent: Gen-Z

Well-written job descriptions for all positions will simplify the hiring process and make it easier to find the best candidate to fill the role. They ensure that an organization attracts the right talent by providing accurate information to jobseekers that helps them decide whether they’re qualified for and interested in a particular job opening.

To catch the candidates’ attention, provide a job description that’s easy to read by listing the role responsibilities in about 5 to 6 bullets. By giving a brief but comprehensive rundown of the open jobs and their daily responsibilities, employers can gain interest from qualified candidates who may not have considered the role or company prior to reading the job description.

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Be clear and concise Wordy, vague, and imprecise job descriptions fail to give the candidate the information they need to make decisions about applying for the job or not. Worse, poorly-written job descriptions give a bad impression of the company, the skills of its people, and its corporate culture.

Define the role The job description should provide a detailed overview of the position and the responsibilities that come with it. Make sure to include all the key duties, tasks, and qualifications required for the role. It’s also important to specify who the candidate will report to, whether a supervisor, manager, or other authority within the organization.

Outline the responsibilities List the specific duties and responsibilities that come with the role. By providing an accurate picture of the job, potential employees are able to self-select whether they’re a good match for the role. This can help organizations save time and money on the recruitment process by filtering out candidates who do not meet the job’s requirements.

Specify qualifications Clearly state the qualifications for a successful candidate, including professional and educational qualifications, as well as any special certifications or skills. Generally, the recommendation is to indicate 3 “must-have” and 3 “nice to have” qualifications.

Clarify the compensation JobStreet’s labor survey, the Future of Recruitment report, reveals that 35% of Filipinos considered good financial compensation as their top reason for accepting a job offer. Sharing details on compensation up front will attract the right jobseekers and filter out those looking for a specific pay scale.

When writing the job description, outline the specific salary or compensation and perks that the job holder will receive. Be as detailed as you can to avoid any confusion.

Also read: New Benefits Employees Will Love You For

Target the right audience Job titles and language used in the job description should be appropriate for the target audience. Be sure to use job titles that are recognizable in the industry that you’re targeting. For better results, use simple and searchable keywords in your job title.

Use the right language In crafting the job description, use language that is appropriate for the target audience as well as the level of experience you’re seeking.

Make sure to avoid bias on gender, ethnicity, appearance, and age, Use inclusive language by removing gender-coded words. For example, use “craftsperson” or “artisan” instead of “craftsman;” “supervisor” instead of “foreman.”

Also read: Know How To Ask More Inclusive Job Interview Questions

Establish a timeline Specify when the position is available, as well as the length of the job (such as in the case of contractual positions), and the estimated or exact dates of the various steps of the recruitment process.

Add a description of the company Communicating details about your company, its mission, and its culture can attract jobseekers who share the same corporate values and fit in with the corporate culture. This makes for happier and more productive employees who will be inclined to stick with the company over the long run.

Are you ready to find your next star performer? Head to Talent Search. Then visit our Employer Insights page to get the latest on talent recruitment and retention. Register now on JobStreet, Asia’s No. 1 Trusted Talent Partner, and begin your journey with us.

For more examples of job descriptions to help you get started, click here.

And lastly, for the latest trends on salaries and compensation, download the 2022-2023 Outlook | Hiring, Compensation & Benefits study by JobStreet for free here.