If your job is in Human Resources, you must know the basics of the profession, including how to write a job description that entices interested people to apply!
A job description becomes an essential tool for hiring managers and job seekers.
It’s a document that outlines a particular job’s responsibilities, requirements, and qualifications.
However, learning how to write a good job description can be challenging.
Many job descriptions written today must be more generic and attract qualified candidates.
This is why it’s essential to learn how to write a good job description accurately representing the role and company culture.
This blog will explore five innovative ways to write a good job description.
Using video in job descriptions is an innovative way to attract top talent.
Videos provide a more interactive experience for job seekers and can convey the company culture better than text alone.
Additionally, video job descriptions can showcase the workplace environment, give a glimpse of day-to-day responsibilities, and provide insights into the company’s mission and values.
For example, here’s a video job description from the apparel company Patagonia.
The video shows the company culture and work environment while highlighting the position’s responsibilities.
Video job descriptions can be created using a smartphone, a digital camera, or a video production company.
Platforms JobVid Network, VideoMyJob, and RecRight offer video job description services to companies of all sizes.
A good job description should not only outline the responsibilities and requirements of the job but also provide insights into the company culture. Job seekers want to work for a company that shares their values and beliefs.
Therefore, highlighting the company’s culture in the job description can attract well-qualified candidates.
For example, here’s a job description from the software company Atlassian.
The job description outlines the position’s responsibilities and emphasizes the company’s culture and values.
To focus on company culture in job descriptions, hiring managers can include information about company events, values, and employee benefits.
It’s also essential to use inclusive language that reflects the company’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Search engine optimization (SEO) is a technique used to improve the visibility of a website in search engine results pages.
Writing job descriptions for SEO can attract more qualified candidates to the company’s website.
To write job descriptions for SEO, hiring managers should use keywords related to the job title, responsibilities, and qualifications. Additionally, they should use language that job seekers use when searching for jobs online.
For example, here’s a job description for a content writer optimized for SEO.
The job description includes keywords like “content writer,” “SEO,” and “blogging” that job seekers are likely to search for.
Tools like Google’s Keyword Planner, SEMrush, and Ahrefs can help hiring managers, and Human Resource professionals find relevant keywords for job descriptions.
Long paragraphs can make job descriptions challenging to read and understand.
Boring!
Using bullet points is an effective way to break up text and make the job description more reader-friendly.
Bullet points can outline the job’s responsibilities, qualifications, and requirements.
Additionally, they can highlight important information such as salary, benefits, and job location.
For example, a job description for a customer service representative can use bullet points to outline the responsibilities and qualifications. Professionals can also use reference some of the Tech Tools that come from an occupation search from Upskill Talent’s Illuminate.
Tools like Grammarly (my favorite!), Hemingway, and ProWritingAid can help hiring managers to improve the readability of job descriptions.
Including a “day-in-the-life” section in job descriptions is an innovative way to give job seekers a realistic preview of what it’s like to work in the position.
This section can help job seekers understand the job responsibilities, work environment, and company culture.
For example, a job description from the hospitality company Marriott includes a day-in-the-life section.
The section provides insights into the job responsibilities and the daily routine of the position.
To create a day-in-the-life section, hiring managers can interview current employees and ask them about their typical day.
Additionally, they can include information about the work schedule, work-life balance, and any unique aspects of the job.
Gamification is the use of game elements in non-game contexts.
Using gamification in job descriptions can make them more engaging and interactive for job seekers.
Hiring managers can create job descriptions that include interactive quizzes, games, and puzzles related to the job.
For example, a job description from Deloitte includes a game element.
The job description includes a challenge to solve a problem related to the job responsibilities.
Tools like Kahoot, Quizlet, and Brainshark can help hiring managers to create gamified job descriptions.
Including employee testimonials in job descriptions is an innovative way to showcase the company culture and work environment.
Employee testimonials can give job seekers insights into what it’s like to work at the company and the people they would work with.
For example, here’s a job description from the design company IDEO that includes employee testimonials.
The job description includes quotes from current employees about the company’s culture and values.
To include employee testimonials in job descriptions, hiring managers can interview current employees and ask them about their experience working at the company.
Additionally, they can use social media platforms like Glassdoor and LinkedIn to find employee reviews and quotes.
Infographics are visual representations of information and data.
Creating an infographic job description is an innovative way to present job information visually and engagingly.
Infographics can include information about the job responsibilities, qualifications, and company culture.
For example, here’s an infographic job description from the company HubSpot.
The job description includes information about the job responsibilities, qualifications, and company culture in a visually appealing format.
Tools like Canva, Piktochart, and Venngage can help hiring managers create infographic job descriptions.
Storytelling is a powerful tool for connecting the job seeker and the company.
Using storytelling in job descriptions can help job seekers envision themselves in the role and understand how their work contributes to the company’s mission.
For example, here’s a job description from the company Airbnb that uses storytelling.
The job description tells the story of a successful employee and how their work has contributed to the company’s success.
To use storytelling in job descriptions, hiring managers can interview current employees and ask them about their experience working at the company.
Additionally, they can use the company’s history and mission to create a narrative around the job responsibilities.
Personalization is the act of tailoring content to the individual needs and preferences of the reader.
Using personalization in job descriptions can make them more relevant and engaging for job seekers.
Hiring managers can use personalization to address the job seeker by name, highlight their qualifications, and make the job description more relevant to their interests and experience.
For example, here’s a personalized job description from the company Amazon.
The job description uses the job seeker’s name and highlights their qualifications in the introduction.
To use personalization in job descriptions, hiring managers can use software tools like Crystal, Persado, and OptinMonster to personalize the content based on the job seeker’s profile and interests.
Nowadays, the applicant has become the one who decides whom they’ll work for after salaries have been shared.
Realizing this power shift, HR managers must again think out-of-the-box to new approaches to hook their candidates into working for their company.
In doing so, they must use many tools to appease.
Some will use Upskill Talent’s Updating Existing Tool.
It’s a free downloadable tool that walks folks through the process of revamping a current job posting and putting a fresh spin on it.
Something that should be done frequently.
Understanding how to write a job description is essential to attract qualified candidates.
Using video job descriptions, focusing on company culture, writing for SEO, using bullet points, and including a day-in-the-life section are innovative ways to create compelling job descriptions.
These tools can help hiring managers to stand out in a crowded job market and attract suitable candidates.
By incorporating these innovative techniques, companies can increase their chances of finding the best fit for their open positions.
It’s important to take the time to craft a well-written job description that accurately represents the job and the company culture.
With these tips, hiring managers can create a job description that stands out and attracts top talent.
Are there any innovative ways you use to write a job description, or have you ever read a job description that appeared to be an excellent way to show you a job opening?
We’d love to know!
Tell us in the comments below.
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