A job description is a document that lays out the role of a specific position within an organization. It includes requirements, responsibilities, necessary skills, and the various duties associated with that position. Generally, a company looking to hire will write up a job description for the desired position and post it to a hiring board. However, many job descriptions fail to fulfill their purpose. They are either so overcomplicated that they fail to capture the interest and attention of candidates, or they are too vague about requirements and duties. This results in a difficult time finding qualified talent to fill a position. If you’re having a hard time finding talented professionals, your job description may be the culprit. Here are some steps for simplifying your job description.
Focus on the Title
The title of your job description serves as a billboard for the position. It’s the first thing a potential candidate will see, and it needs to capture their attention. The title of the job description should describe the job and duties that will be performed. It should be simple and self-explanatory.
Quirky titles may be fun, such as “SEO Ninja” or “IT Master Chief,” but they do nothing to explain the actual role. Avoid sounding overly technical, and stick with something that reads well, such as “IT Overnight Manager” or “Adobe Experience Manager.” You should also include keywords since you’ll want to be relevant to user searches.
Be Concise
After the title, simplifying your job description means you’ll need to focus on the actual description. Create a detailed list of necessary skills, training, and duties of the job. But try to write it in a way that’s enjoyable to read. A long bullet list will only get skimmed. Include a brief story of the company’s values and how they relate to the job. The job description should be short but detailed.
Don’t be Exhaustive
When deciding what to include in your job description, only focus on the most important information. Avoid including competent abilities under the “skills” section. Things like communication and organization are not skills and shouldn’t be included as such. Separate your job description into sections that mention “must-have” skills and “preferred” abilities.
Mention the Possibility of Growth
Candidates generally won’t consider a position that doesn’t offer the opportunity for growth. Take a sentence or two to mention the chances to move up within the company from the initial position. Most IT workers have an idea of what they want their career path to look like, and if you can offer them stepping stones, they’re more likely to respond to your posting.
Don’t Mention Salary.
Don’t mention the exact salary you’re looking to pay because it takes away your ability to negotiate during the hiring process. Instead, include a general range for similar positions. This will let the candidate know what they can expect but still leave room for negotiations based on ability and experience.
If you need help putting together a simple job description, reach out to a staffing agency. Recruiters and staffing agencies work with both companies and candidates to fill positions with talented workers. They can help create a simple job description that will capture the attention of promising candidates and help your company move forward.
How Can Techbridge Help?
At TechBridge, our goal is to bridge the gap between business and employee, matching qualified workers with the companies who need them. If you have any further questions or you’re interested in our staffing and recruiting process, contact us today!
