Looking to hire new members of the team, but don’t know how to find the right talent? Read on for tips on how to write a job description that will wow…
At first, a job description might seem simple to write, but many businesses struggle to find the right people – mainly because their vacancy ad isn’t successful. Though some of the following tips may seem basic, writing the perfect job description is about getting the small things right, and adding your own flair.
Make the job title clear
The first hurdle many businesses fall at is the job title. Although internally you may offer titles that are a bit different – maybe Guru or Evangelist – these may be too confusing for someone browsing job ads. Even worse, search engines and job boards may not even show your ad when a candidate is searching for relevant jobs. If you do want to have a fancier title, make sure this is in brackets next to its real-world equivalent.
Don’t make it too long
Job descriptions need to have enough information to interest a candidate, but if they’re too lengthy or too descriptive, a candidate may not bother to read the whole thing. It’s best to divide your job ad into a brief description of the role; a list of responsibilities or preferred skills; and a bit about benefits and the company as a whole. Keep things to bullet points and make them concise.
Show your personality
If you’re a younger or “cooler” brand, don’t feel as though you have to stick to a traditional tone of voice. On the other side, if you’re a more traditional business, don’t try and be something you’re not. Sticking to your brand personality and letting it shine through your job description is a good way of finding people who will fit in like a dream.
Keep it friendly and highlight the perks
The key to making a job description appealing is to make it about what you can offer the candidate, not what the candidate can offer you. Though you’re on the hunt for someone that can make your business better, you first need to convince candidates that your business is better than all the rest. Highlighting the perks of working at the company and maintaining a friendly tone can do wonders.
Put all your effort into the intro
If nothing else, your introduction is the most vital part of a job description. This is where you distil every selling point for the role and for your business, and it’s the make-or-break part of the description for attracting the right attention. Keep it short and highlight the best parts of the role, but don’t be afraid to be a bit fun – you want someone who will be able to get along with existing employees. It’s probably best to write this part last, as you’ll know exactly what you’re looking for by finishing the rest of the description.
Images courtesy of Press Association
