Writing Job Descriptions That Attract Top Talent

A compelling job description can differentiate your business and attract top applicants by highlighting what makes your team unique — including your growth opportunities, company values, and benefits. We’re looking at what makes an effective job posting, so you can start writing descriptions that not only catch the eye but also resonate with experienced talent.

Crafting Effective Job Descriptions To Reach Qualified Talent 

Your workforce can propel your business toward long-term success — or leave it trailing behind in the face of relentless competition. Here are five tips on how to write an effective job description that can differentiate your business:

• Highlight your company’s culture and values: You know what makes your organization stand out from the crowd, but you need to make sure you capture the essence of that understanding in your role descriptions. Showcasing what makes your team special attracts candidates who align with your mission.  
• Emphasize growth opportunities: It’s advantageous to outline potential career progression, upskilling, and development opportunities within the role or company. This demonstrates your commitment to employee advancement. 
• Focus on the role’s impact and purpose: Employees want to know that what they do matters, so it’s important to highlight the position’s long-term impact on organizational goals. You can do this by clearly articulating how the role contributes to the organization’s success.
• Incorporate compelling language and storytelling: Establishing the outlines of a job is essential, but doing it in a bland or effortless way won’t do much to attract top-rated talent. Using engaging and descriptive language can paint a vivid picture of the role and tell the story of your company — captivating candidates’ attention and sparking their interest.
• Review for errors and legal issues: Mistakes in job descriptions can lead to misunderstandings that attract the wrong candidates or result in legal complications. This can be anything from a simple typographical error to potentially violating employment laws. To ensure compliance and the accurate representation of a role, it’s critical to thoroughly review and refine descriptions before posting. 

Let’s take a closer look at two examples of job descriptions that just work:

#1: ‍

By starting with a special offering, this job description immediately sets the work opportunity apart from others that might be available. After effectively introducing the company, potential applicants get a better view of organizational goals and how they can make an impact in the journey to achieving them. The role requirements are made clear, outlining specific tasks that candidates can anticipate. Overall, the description effectively communicates the team’s benefits and the position’s responsibilities in an appealing and informative way. 

#2:

This job description also provides a clear and detailed overview of the tasks involved in the position, as well as demonstrates the potential for growth and variety in the role. And while this description is slightly longer, the posting effectively highlights unique benefits that applicants should consider. This is a great example of emphasizing what makes your team different and what this can mean for a prospective candidate. 

Job Description Pitfalls To Avoid for Optimal Results 

With the steps to creating a compelling job outline in mind, it’s important to remember that not all descriptions are created equal. And when your organization is pressed for time, it’s easy to fall into the common traps of an ineffective job posting. 

Here are some of the mistakes you should take care to avoid in your position descriptions:

1. Writing a generic, uninspiring, and vague job description

Ambiguous and uninformative role specifications don’t clearly communicate what a prospective candidate needs to know when applying — and it likely won’t get them excited about the position. A precise and engaging description should include:

• A clear job title and department.
• A concise and detailed summary of a role’s responsibilities and objectives.
• Specific qualifications, skills, and experience required.
• An introduction to the company’s culture and values.
• A peek into the specifics of potential benefits, compensation, or other relevant perks.

2. Drafting a lengthy posting

When it comes to your job descriptions, the old saying holds true: less is more. In fact, insights from LinkedIn reveal that short job posts (i.e. 1-300 words) tend to perform much better than both medium (301-600 words) and long (601+ words) ones — compelling candidates to apply 8.4% more often than average.

3. Using gender-biased language in your specifications

To promote inclusivity, it’s crucial to avoid using gender-biased language in your role specifications. That often means reviewing for unconscious bias: For example, words like “competitive” or “assertive” hold a male bias. Opting for neutral language such as “professional” or “responsible” ensures equal opportunities for qualified candidates — while supporting your overall diversity efforts.

4. Not including pay range transparency

Research reports that 98% of job seekers want to know a position’s salary or hourly pay range before applying. As organizations increasingly utilize contingent workforces, it can be more appropriate to include an hourly pay range in role outlines — particularly in industries like manufacturing, hospitality, and other sectors with temporary staffing. This provides candidates with a clear understanding of their potential compensation. 

The Key Benefits of Improved Job Descriptions

Enhanced, well-written job descriptions hold the potential for unique benefits that can positively impact both your hiring process and long-term business outcomes, including:

• Improved attraction and recruitment: Clear and compelling job postings give applicants a transparent view of a role’s responsibilities, qualifications, and growth opportunities — increasing the likelihood of reaching top talent. 
• Better employee performance: Research from Effectory reveals that employees who experience role clarity are 53% more efficient and 27% more effective at work than those who face job ambiguity. 
• Reduced time-to-hire: Precise role specifications help prevent less qualified candidates from applying, which minimizes time spent reviewing unsuitable applications and supports faster decision-making for hiring managers. 
• Increased chances of retention: Setting realistic expectations from the beginning is the best way to keep workers around and boost job satisfaction in the long run.
• Streamlined onboarding: With a solid understanding of what their position entails, new hires can enjoy a smoother onboarding process and increase their time-to-value for the team. 

Insider Tips for Writing a Successful Bluecrew Job Post

Communication and collaboration between your HR department, hiring managers, and other stakeholders in the recruitment process are key to crafting carefully written job descriptions that accurately represent both the role and your company. And, with tools and technology that support a streamlined job posting process — including creation, sharing, review, and approval — you can accelerate successful hiring. 

When writing job descriptions for Bluecrew, here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind:

• Share arrival instructions with candidates right from the start. 
• Include up to three custom requirements that Crew Members must acknowledge before accepting a job.
• Write descriptions that are easy to read on various formats like mobile devices and other online platforms. 

Post a job in seconds, and we’ll immediately send it to our pool of 100,000+ e-verified, background-checked W-2 Crew Members, so you can fill your jobs 42% faster. And, with the platform’s dashboard, roster, and reporting functionality, you can introduce a smooth employee experience from start to finish. 

‍Contact Bluecrew today to learn more and get started.