A job description is a clear and concise explanation of the role the candidate will play should he or she choose to accept the position you are offering. It will provide each prospect with their first impression of your organization, so take the time to develop it with these tips in mind.

Use key words/phrases

Job descriptions require the thoughtful use of key words and phrases; choose language that your ideal candidate will find appealing. The core functions and qualifications sections are particularly critical. A properly written job description will help you attract the best-suited candidates and screen out others.

Choose the right title

An accurate job title should be generic enough to gain high visibility on a job board; this is not the place for figurative language. Focus on these three things:

• Accurate – make sure the title is as true as possible to the role.
• Realistic – avoid buzzwords and trendy language.
• Meaningful – choose a title that will give the candidate insight into the position being offered.

Craft a concise description

The key here is to highlight the most significant information as concisely as possible. Provide an overview that will give the applicant a clear idea of what they will be doing on a daily basis. These descriptions should be kept short, but make them as interesting and compelling as possible to attract your ideal candidates.

Craft a concise description

This is your opportunity to highlight specific duties, using bullet points that applicants can quickly scan. Keep this section targeted on essential functions, combining tasks in a similar category under a single bullet.

List qualifications

Only after the applicant has a clear understanding of the role and is excited about the opportunity, should you provide them with specific qualifications and requirements. Keep the list simple. It should include things such as educational prerequisites, prior job experience, the need for travel, etc. You may also want to include preferred skills such as experience with a specific software package or other helpful job-related experience.

Taking the time to write as precise a description as possible will save you time in the long run, by attracting the best possible applicants.