If you’re not getting the amount, or quality, of applicants for your open positions, ask yourself this: When was the last time you reviewed and updated the job description?

The first impression a candidate has of your company is how an open position is described. That’s how they get curious and interested and start to think about maybe wanting to work for your company! Job descriptions need to be engaging, detailed enough without going overboard and deep into the weeds, while offering candidates an accurate idea of what their day would be like if they won the job.

Here are some tips on how to write a great job description and attract more applications.

Be clear. The job description should clearly, succinctly and accurately reflect the demands and requirements of a position, from the scheduled start and end times for the day to the tasks that will be involved. Don’t use buzzwords that either are only familiar to people inside your company or carry little to no actual meaning for the candidate or the position. You want to provide an accurate description of the job, and what the person will need to know to do the job successfully, but avoid using some of the cliches that are so frequently utilized in postings to try and gain the attention of eager job seekers.

Provide a list of responsibilities. This part can be tricky: Employees need to know what will be required of them, as specifically as possible, so they can understand whether they have the skills and training to do the job successfully before they even apply. At the same time, more employees, especially of younger generations, are hesitant to do more than what their job description entails, and are getting very comfortable refusing prolonged amounts of extra work or responsibilities if there’s no chance of a pay increase along with a bump in title. If you’re looking to fill a position because the person currently in that job is leaving, ask whether they felt their obligations outpaced their job description. It might be illuminating and you might decide you need to split the position into two!

Talk about the perks. In addition to listing the pay for the position, which some states require but all applicants appreciate, talk about what else your company provides for employees. Is there access to health insurance? What about paid time off? Does your company provide opportunities for volunteer outings or other community outreach events? Is there a continuing education program to give employees the chance to add to their skills? Do you offer flexible scheduling or remote or hybrid work options? Anything that indicates and offers support for the whole person, not just the hours they’re working, can really make a job enticing.

Talk about the company. Before writing the job description, think about what makes your company different. Think about what makes it a great place to work. Why do you like to work there? Why do your current employees stay? Describe your company culture and make it sound supportive, engaging, energizing and fun. (Yes, fun! People don’t want to hate where they are for 40 hours a week.) You don’t need to go into the whole history of the company, but an interesting or special fact or two can help as well.

Have someone else read the description before it’s posted. If you’re looking to fill a position that’s opening up because someone is leaving, ask that person to read the description and see if it’s an accurate portrayal of the job. If it’s a new position, ask a trusted employee or another member of the hiring team to review the description to see if there are details missing, unnecessary information that could be deleted, and to make sure there are no terms or language that might dissuade people from a variety of backgrounds, ethnicities, abilities, etc., from applying. It’s also a great way to check against unintentional bias you might not even realize you’ve included in the description or the requirements. It’s also a good idea from a proofreading standpoint! A clear set of eyes on any kind of written communication is a great safety net.

A good job description inspires an applicant to not only want to apply, but to daydream about working at a new company. It makes them excited about the prospect. Follow these tips and see what a difference it makes!

Looking For Qualified Candidates?

If you’re looking to fill a position quickly, or if you need temporary help, call Bishop and Company. Our recruiters can help find qualified candidates who are ready and eager to get to work right away; all you need to do is tell us what you’re looking for and we can get started. Call Bishop and Company today to learn more.