Writing the perfect job description

Your job ad may be the first contact that a Job Seeker has had with your company so it is important to give a great impression.

Help the Job Seeker to get a feel for your company and a clear impression of the role

You need to attract their attention

Most people have very limited attention spans, so if your job description does not catch their attention within the first 30 seconds then you will have most likely failed to "hook" them. No matter how much information you include in a job spec, if a job seeker is interested in your company they will do further research to fine out more about your company and the role. Make sure your job description drives the job seeker to investigate further about your company.

Writing a job description from scratch can be difficult at the best of times. Have a look at similar job postings and take things you like from them. NEVER copy and paste, the uniqueness of what you write is what is going to sell the role to the job seeker, and give them insight into your company, and in turn make them take action and apply for the role.

What you MUST include

Job Title

Make your job title clear and easy to understand as this is the first thing people will see when they search for a job. If it does not make sense, your job will not be viewed.

About the Company

You only have one chance to make a first impression, so use this space very wisely to "sell" your company to any potential job seeker that may be reading you job description.

Consider including:

Who you are
What you do
What type of working environment you have
The culture and values of your company
What your company's vision and goals are

About the Role

All the relevant facts about the job - full or part time, travel, location etc.

Then clearly - consider bullet points - the responsibilities and day to day job description

It is important that it sounds compelling but don't exaggerate.

Minimum Requirements

This is the list of maybe 4 or 5 minimum requirements that you need a job seeker to have, such as education levels reached, professional qualifications etc.

Contact Details and deadlines

Be clear about how they should apply, to whom, where and by when

Keywords

ALWAYS include keywords in your jobs spec. Most job seekers will use keywords when searching for a role online. Include this at the very bottom of your job spec, just list a number of keywords that suit the role being advertised.

Style of advertisement

Be consistent in the style you use if you have more than one job to post. This will give the Job Seeker a feeling that you are consistent and organised as a company.