What are the key elements of a clear and concise job description?

I'm suggesting we take a different approach here. While job titles are important, they often don't fully capture the role and can vary widely between companies. Instead, focusing on a detailed description of the responsibilities and key qualities needed can provide a clearer picture of the position. Highlighting essential qualifications, such as education, leadership experience, or industry background, is also crucial. Lastly, including details about the work environment and reporting structure helps candidates assess if they align with the company culture. Keep it simple and direct. Too much detail/expected qualifications and many may rule themselves out, too little and everyone may apply.

The job title is undeniably the centerpiece of any job description. It serves as the initial point of contact between a candidate & the organization, making it a crucial element in attracting the right talent. When creating a job title, several factors should be considered to ensure it accurately represents the role and appeals to the target audience. Some of the those factors are clarity & relevance, key word optimization because the algorithm can accelerate or aggravate the search. The job title should also be Future-Proofed -will the job title remain relevant as the industry evolves? Finally avoid gender bias to foster inclusivity within the workplace. The job title is not just a label; it's the gateway to attracting the right talent.

Generating a descriptive and accurate job title makes the hiring process efficient by making it easier for target candidates to apply for the job they were aiming for. For instance, working in a robotic industry, where you are currently requiring a software engineer to draft software to operate robots. So, instead of stating "Engineer", you can specify "Software Engineer", making it easier for Computer Science graduates to apply for the job. With just "Engineer" it could catch candidates of other domains, including Mechanical, Electrical, etc.

A clear and concise job description should start with a compelling job summary that outlines the role's purpose, impact, and key responsibilities. Clearly list the skills, experience, and qualifications needed for the role eg, a software developer job description should specify programming languages and technologies required, like Java and Python. Responsibilities: Detail the daily tasks and projects the role will entail. Briefly describe your company's values and work environment to give candidates a sense of what it's like to work there eg, a tech startup job description could mention a fast-paced, collaborative culture. Encourage interested candidates to apply by including a clear call to action at the end of the job description.

When creating a job summary, it’s essential to be realistic about the work and role the individual is applying for. As someone who works in Quality Assurance, I am amazed at the ridiculous job descriptions that appear online. No single individual would have all the skills nor be able to perform the variety of roles in most of these postings. This tells me that either the QA manager is fishing for anyone, or they allowed the HR team to do a Google search for every keyword related to our field. In either case, this is an employer out-of-touch red flag and likely has unrealistic expectations. Be honest and realistic about the role you need to hire for. The best know when you’re simply fishing with cheap bait for any warm body.

The job summary is the compass that guides both job seekers & hiring teams through the landscape of a job posting. It condenses the role into a compelling narrative, providing a snapshot of what the job entails, its significance within the organization, & the qualifications sought in an ideal candidate. For job seekers, the job summary serves as a quick reference point, helping them determine whether the role aligns with their career goals and skills. For hiring teams, a well-crafted job summary acts as a recruitment magnet, attracting candidates who are genuinely interested and qualified. The importance of the job summary is not just in conveying information but in piquing interest, making it an indispensable component of any job posting

Job duties are the building blocks of any position within an organization, outlining the specific tasks and responsibilities that an employee is expected to perform. For employees, a clear and comprehensive list of job duties serves as a roadmap. They enable organizations to align employee responsibilities with company objectives, ensuring that resources are utilized efficiently. Job duties help individuals understand key responsibilities and how their work contributes to the broader goals of the organization. It should be clear & concise, written with asset based & action oriented language & void of ambiguity. Well written job duties set clear expectations & reduce the likelihood of misalignment between job seekers and employers

Job qualifications are the cornerstone of any job posting, serving as a critical filter for matching the right candidates with the right roles. Crafting better job qualifications is essential not only for attracting suitable candidates but also for promoting fairness and diversity in the hiring process. Having worked with diverse teams, some that were justice impacted & active gang members, I have learned that we have to look at qualifications through a FAIR lens. -Minimum vs. Preferred Qualifications -Clarity to ensure that the qualifications are clearly articulated -Lived Experience as Education -Hard & Soft Skills By crafting qualifications that consider both hard & soft skills, organizations can attract a broader pool of candidates

This is your chance to think beyond basic benefits and inspire candidates with your Employee Value Proposition! Paint an inspiring (but realistic) picture of what you have to offer. Be honest and authentic (don't overpromise). For example, let's say you're a startup and can’t yet offer retirement benefits; instead, highlight an impact benefit like, “we donate a percentage of profits to address financial literacy” or a development benefit like, “we encourage a growth mindset by offering employees an allowance to build new skills like public speaking.” If you’re not sure what employees value most, ask! Newbies have a fresh perspective on what inspired them to join your company and may highlight things you take for granted.

Now, with the availability of job portals, like Indeed or Monster, job applications are becoming automated. You just have to create your profile and make some tweaks, appropriate for the application.

The “why” someone should work at the company should be included at the top of the job description. The “what makes this company different” should also be included. This can include many different things i.e. unlimited PTO. This is the company’s “30 second elevator” speech.

Avoid using buzzwords or fluff in job descriptions. It could make it easier for candidates to extract specific keywords and prevent them from being diluted by fluffs, which could impede them by including buzzwords in their resume and might not pass through ATS.

I cannot count the number of job descriptions I've seen in which the word "continuous" is used in a context in which "continual" belongs. For example, a company is looking for an employee who "strives to continuously improve their skills", that's not possible because everyone needs to sleep sometime! Something continuous happens all the time without stopping (like breathing) whereas something continual happens often over a period of time (like power cuts). Oddly enough, I've never seen the reverse in a job description where continual is used in a context in which continuous belongs...