7 TIPS ON WRITING CLEAR AND MEANINGFUL JOB POSTINGS

Jeff Mignault • June 15, 2017

If you want to attract the right people, you need to invest time into writing clear and meaningful job posts. Many companies make the mistake of overlooking the importance of writing a clear and enticing listing. They use the same descriptions or template for all positions, they have employees with little knowledge of the job write the listings, and rush through the process without realizing the implication of a misleading or poorly written post.

Amid the thousands of job posts applicants sift through when looking for a job, you want yours to stick out, be the one they will read, and ultimately, be the job they will apply for.

TIPS ON WRITING CLEAR AND MEANINGFUL JOB POSTINGS

1. CONSIDER THE APPLICANT’S POINT OF VIEW:

If you were an applicant, what information would you want to know about the job? What would entice you to apply for the position? Which benefits do you offer that candidates are looking for in an employer?

2. GET TO THE POINT:

Great job posts don’t have to be exhaustive. Write short sentences, and use bullet points and headings to make the post easy to scan. You can fill in details during the interview process.

3. BE HONEST:

People respect honesty, and the last thing you should be doing is overpromising in a job post. Sure, you will get applicants, but once they see things are too good to be true, you’ll lose them.

4. INCLUDE ALL THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

There is certain information that applicants want to know when reading a job posting – the title, role, responsibilities, job requirements, and information about the company. Make sure this is included.

5. USE CLEAR WORDS:

Avoid words that are too long or complicated. Use simpler words when possible. Also avoid using insider terms, buzzwords, and jargon.

6. BE DETAILED:

Generalizations do not work for job descriptions. Try to describe the position and all information listed in the job post as accurately and detailed as possible. This will provide a deeper understanding of the role and help you get more qualified candidates to apply.

7. COMMUNICATE PERKS:

Do you offer a great employee wellness program? Are there perks that come with the role? Are there opportunities for career advancement? Include those in the post.