Accurately portraying your expectations of the position you are trying to fill can make all the difference in who applies to work for you. With the right job description, you can draw the applicants you most want to see at your company. Read further for some tips on how to craft a compelling job description.
Set clear expectations
While you do not need to write an entire essay about what your job entails, make the basics of the job clear to applicants. Where will they be working? (On location? Traveling? Remote?) Explain in detail the work they will be doing each day. What hours are expected of them? Will they be interacting with clients face to face? In some instances, it can be helpful to quantify the work they will be doing (e.g., “installing roughly ten units per day”). Giving these clear and concise expectations can help reduce the number of applicants that aren’t a good fit and draw in those who would be a good fit for the job.
Make your job appealing
People want to work for great companies. Through your compelling job description, make sure to highlight the positives of working at your company. Do your employees thrive on working together to complete projects? Include that! Avoid typical buzzword phrases like “collaborative work,” “like a family,” etc. These are vague and do not really tell the applicant anything about your unique company. Be specific! Tell them how your employees work together or why your company feels like a tight-knit group. This will catch the applicant’s attention and make them want to read more.
Outline general benefits
Applicants like to have a general idea of what to expect regarding salary and benefits. Once again, this weeds out applicants who aren’t in the range of salary/benefits you are offering. This saves both parties’ time. Give a salary range to allow flexibility, depending on this applicant’s experience and qualifications. Specify what benefits are available—401k? Dental? Vision? Tell your applicants what they can expect when they work for you.
When you craft a compelling job description, it sets up the search for an employee for success. And in the end, it saves time for everyone involved. Choosing your words carefully and being specific can better represent your company and attract the type of employees you want on your team.
Next up: Interviewing. Wondering what questions you should be asking candidates to quickly determine if they’ll be a good fit? Start with these behavioral questions to develop a more in-depth interview and personal experience. Then, follow our tips on how to hire over video to ensure you get these great candidates in the door!
