Learn some tips for writing Opportunity descriptions that attract top talent.
Have you ever wondered why some of your company's job postings seem to attract great candidates, while other postings are not as successful? The answer may be in how the posting was written.
A well-crafted description attracts candidates who have the skills and attitude to positively impact company culture and the bottom line.
A poorly-written description means you're missing out on landing top prospects. It can also result in job dissatisfaction and high turnover.
Keep these best practices in mind when you write your Opportunity descriptions. A clear and engaging posting will pull in responses from exceptional candidates, while deterring those who are unqualified from applying.
Job postings must be clear in the title and description of the position, and clear about the best skills and behaviors that the best candidate for the job would have.
Avoid using abbreviations, acronyms, jargon, internal titles, or overly creative or abstract phrases.
Here are two example job titles that were revised for more clarity:
| Original title | Clearer title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ERM | Executive Relationship Manager | If you use an acronym in a posting instead of the full job title, a job seeker might never even come across the job description. |
| Programmer | Senior JavaScript Front End Developer | A generic title may yield an overwhelming number of results. |
To get the most out of your job titles, use appropriate and appealing titles that candidates recognize, and key words that they will be using when they search.
One concise way to communicate the scope of the position is to list the qualifications in bulleted form rather than in sentences.
Include regular job duties, and performance metrics so that applicants are clear on what success looks like. Take a look at this example:
Be sure to state that candidates who do not meet the minimum requirements for the position will not be considered.
To help your company stand out from your competitors, get into a selling mindset. Tell job seekers why they would want to join your company.
Position titles, company descriptions, word choices, and correct spelling and grammar can all affect a candidate's perception of your company—and ultimately, their decision to apply. Remember: first impressions matter.
Differentiate yourself as an employer of choice by answering the question job seekers ask themselves: "Is this where I belong?"
Exceptional candidates are looking for challenging work, talented teams, recognition and rewards for performance, and being a part of the best solution available.
Disney helps convey the company's vision, and expectation that employees are guardians of that vision:
"As a Cast Member you are the steward and connection to our legacy and the backbone of our thriving innovations. Join our team and watch your dreams come true." —Jones, Bruce. "To Attract Top Talent, Be Intentional." Disney Institute.
In addition to posting jobs on your company job board, you will likely also post them on other websites, social media, industry job boards, and places where potential candidates may not have heard of your company. That's a lot of visibility, so make it count.
To better engage your candidates, stay informed about industry trends regarding norms, culture, terminology, and expectations of the professionals you're targeting.
In the job description, include the skills and behaviors that the best candidate for the job would have. Tie it back into your organization by explaining why the role matters and the impact of the position.
To help attract candidates that fit both the job qualifications and your corporate culture, compose the position description as if it were your dream job. If you and your colleagues love it, so might applicants.
To get a sense of how all these elements come together in a job posting, let's look at an example for a non-profit Director of Finance position.
Remember: The Opportunity Title and Description will appear on job boards. Ensure that a position is searchable and relevant to a broad audience by using common titles and keywords that are easily recognized.
Here is an example job description:
| Opportunity Title | Non-profit Director of Finance |
| Short Description | The Director of Finance will play a critical role in partnering with the senior leadership team as XYZ Nonprofit continues to enhance its quality programming and build capacity. Using your years of sound financial experience, you will evaluate our current fiscal planning and development processes and implement solutions to keep our organization strong while positively impacting the lives of thousands of people in need. |
| Detailed Description |
Are you ready to help us change the world? Your work makes a difference. Our 4-star rated, internationally recognized non-profit organization is diligently focused on providing resources to people all over the world who seek sustainable solutions to end hunger and poverty. The Director of Finance will play a critical role in partnering with the senior leadership team as XYZ Nonprofit continues to enhance its quality programming and build capacity. Using your years of sound financial experience, you will evaluate our current fiscal planning and development processes and implement solutions to keep our organization strong while positively impacting the lives of thousands of people in need. We're looking for someone with integrity who is passionate about our mission and possesses the following qualifications:
Beyond the required qualifications, the ideal candidate would have:
Candidates who do not meet the minimum requirements for the position will not be considered. |
The example includes:
Always proofread for spelling and grammar mistakes before posting. Mistakes can discredit your job descriptions, decrease readability, and distract applicants.