What is a Job Description? Why is it important?

• ​​​​​Introduction of the company and its mission 
• Overview of the job’s responsibilities 
• Required skills, knowledge, academic qualifications, and competence level 
• Type of employment (Full-time jobs, Part-time jobs, Contract, Freelance jobs) 
• Working conditions and locations 
• Compensation and benefits​​

Employers should clearly present every aspect of the job to effectively draw the job seekers’ attention and interest. Clearly defined responsibilities in a job listing help candidates prepare more effectively and increase their interest in applying.

For employers, job descriptions are crucial for:

• Clarifying the job role and expectations
• Providing a benchmark for HR and managers to evaluate the applicants
• Attracting applicants with the appropriate skills and qualifications

For job seekers, job descriptions should:

• Indicate if the job is aligned with the applicant’s interests, goals or values
• Allows job seekers to assess the company’s expectations
• Provide information on the employee’s benefits and compensations offered

Job descriptions are more than just elaborate job postings by a company. They also play a crucial part in the recruitment and offboarding processes. 

Some ways job descriptions can help: 

• Employers can use job descriptions to review how employees adjust to their roles and provide appropriate performance evaluations. 
• Helps managers and HR to provide tailored training programs based on the employees’ needs and roles. 

Here are five tips for employers on how to write effective job descriptions to attract their desired candidates:

1. Know your audience
   Ensure your job description is targeted towards the intended audience. Use conversational language to attract your potential applicant and make it clear and comprehensive.
   
   
2. Make it concise
   Job descriptions are typically within 300 words and should be to the point. If the length is exceeded, candidates are likely to skip over the job.
   
   
3. Include important information regarding the job
   Ensure that each piece of information is organised into sections for easy reading. Key sections should include the company overview, job summary, responsibilities, required skills and qualifications.
   
   
4. Regularly update the job description
   Update the job description to accurately reflect any additional responsibilities of the role.
   
   
5. Ensure the quality of the writing
   The quality of the job description reflects the company’s standards. This shows the company’s professionalism and trustworthiness to the candidates.
   
   

Crafting an effective job description to attract your desired candidates can be challenging. However, Jobs Lah can help with its job description templates, designed to assist you in crafting compelling and exceptional listings. Sign up with Jobs Lah today!