Contents
- 1 The Importance of Using a Resume Template
- 2 Types of Resume Templates
- 3 Choosing the Best Resume Templates
- 4 Resume Templates by Job Type
- 5 How to Customize a Resume Templates
- 6 Formatting Tips for an Effective Resume
- 7 Optimizing Your Resume for Applicant Tracking Systems
- 8 Key Sections to Include in Your Resume
- 9 Key Resume Sections Explained
- 10 The Ultimate Guide to Writing Effective Job Descriptions
- 11 What is a Job Description?
- 12 Critical Elements in a Job Description
- 13 How to Write Compelling Job Description Content
- 14 Key Mistakes to Avoid
- 15 Tips for Specialized Job Descriptions
- 16 Best Practices for Formatting Job Descriptions
- 17 Where to Post Your Job Descriptions
- 18 How to Assess and Improve Your Job Descriptions
Before drafting your resume, research the job position you are applying for. This step will assist you in customizing your resume to the specific job requirements. Ensure you include relevant work experience, education, and skills that align with the job description.
Use a clear and easy-to-read format, avoiding cluttered and confusing layouts that could discourage potential employers. To make your resume easy to navigate, use bullet points and keep your sentences brief and concise.
Lastly, meticulously proofread your resume multiple times to ensure it is free of errors and typos. Remember that even one typographical or grammatical mistake could jeopardize all your hard work and effort. Follow these tips to write a resume that will set you apart from other candidates and help you land your dream job.
The Importance of Using a Resume Template
Rather than trying to design your resume from scratch, using a pre-made resume template is highly recommended. Resume templates provide a basic layout and format you can easily customize with your information.
Here are some of the benefits of using a resume templates:
- Saves time – Starting with a template means you don’t have to figure out margins, spacing, font sizes, etc. Making a resume from scratch can be very time-consuming.
- Provides structure – A good template will ensure your resume has the ideal system, first highlighting the most critical information.
- Looks professional – Professionals design resume templates that look much cleaner than homemade resumes.
- Shows consistency – The format remains consistent throughout your resume rather than changing as you add information.
- Optimized for applicant tracking systems – Many templates are optimized to pass ATS scanning software.
The key is choosing the suitable template for your needs. The following sections will help you pick the ideal resume templates.
Types of Resume Templates
There are several basic types of resume templates to choose from:
Chronological Resume Templates
The chronological resume template is the most commonly used style. It chronologically organizes your work history and experience, with your most recent position first.
This format works well for job seekers with a steady work history and consistent career progression. The chronological format emphasizes continuity and growth within a profession.
Functional Resume Templates
A functional resume template rather than a chronological work history focuses on skills and abilities. Your work history is still included but is not the primary focus.
This template style is best for career changers, students, and individuals with significant gaps in employment. It allows you to highlight transferable skills.
Combination Resume Templates
The combination resume takes aspects from both the functional and chronological formats and incorporates them into a single document. It highlights critical skills and achievements while listing work history in reverse chronological order.
The combination resume provides a comprehensive overview of qualifications and is appropriate for all experience levels. It is an excellent choice for most job seekers.
Targeted Resume Templates
A targeted resume has been tailored to emphasize the qualifications and requirements for a specific job opening. This type of resume matches your qualifications and experience to the target role.
Targeting your resume ensures you are highlighting the most relevant information. It’s the ideal approach when applying for a specific position.
Choosing the Best Resume Templates
With the abundance of templates available, how do you choose the right one? Here are some tips:
- Consider the type of job or industry you are applying to. Some templates are designed with specific positions in mind.
- Look at templates people use in your desired role or at your experience level. Entry-level templates will differ from executive templates.
- Make sure the template is ATS-friendly if applicant tracking systems will screen positions.
- Choose a template that allows you to highlight your best assets for the job. Make your skills stand out.
- Look for a template with simple, readable formatting. Avoid anything too busy or distracting.
- Ensure the template fits resume length requirements. 1-2 pages is standard, but some roles may require more detail.
- The template should provide ample white space and paragraph spacing.
- Pick a template incorporating visual elements like bullet points, headings, and columns to improve readability.
- Please make sure the template is designed for easy customization so you can adapt it to your needs.
These guidelines will help you select a resume template that suits your situation and highlights your qualifications.
Resume Templates by Job Type
Specific jobs and industries often work best with particular resume templates. Here are some of the most common templates tailored to specific job types:
Professional Resume Template
Professional or corporate resume templates are the perfect fit when creating a resume for an executive, manager, director, or administrator role within an office environment. These resume templates cater to business, finance, marketing, tech, HR, and office administration jobs and are designed to showcase the candidate’s skills and work experience in the best possible light.
Professional resumes are excellent for those who want to highlight their management abilities, leadership experience, analytic skills, achievements, and career progression. This type of resume is typically arranged chronologically, starting with the most recent work experience and moving backwards.
One of the most significant advantages of using a professional resume template is that it allows candidates to add more details about their qualifications. Unlike other resume styles, professional resumes are slightly longer and offer more space to highlight relevant skills and experience.
To make these resumes stand out, strong action verbs are used throughout to highlight pertinent skills and achievements. Candidates can create a visually appealing and well-crafted document using professional resume templates to help them land their dream job.
Creative Resume Templates
When applying for jobs in art, design, multimedia, writing, or other creative fields, it is essential to have a resume that stands out. Creative resumes must incorporate visual elements such as infographics, images, charts, and other graphics to make them more attractive and engaging.
A creative resume template should maintain a well-organized, easy-to-read format emphasizing colour, captions, and design elements. The most commonly used format is still in chronological order unless the applicant has much experience working as a freelancer.
One of the main advantages of using a creative resume is that it provides ample white space, giving it a clean and uncluttered look. Additionally, since the visuals can stand in for some of the written content, the resume can be shorter than a traditional resume.
Overall, a well-designed creative resume can help applicants in creative fields stand out from the competition, highlighting their skills and experience in a visually engaging way.
Modern Resume Templates
A modern resume templates is a blend of visual aesthetics and professionalism. It presents a clean, contemporary design emphasizing simplicity and a businesslike approach. The modern resume style is ideal for individuals in marketing, media, public relations, and specific tech fields. The template uses columns, headers, lines, strategic colours, and icons to create visual interest and appeal.
Modern resumes combine best as they balance skills and achievements with a reverse chronological work history. This format helps to highlight the candidate’s most relevant skills and experiences first. Using keywords throughout the resume can help improve the chances of it being selected by automated applicant tracking systems.
In terms of length, modern resumes are generally kept to 1-2 pages. This length ensures that the candidate’s most pertinent information is included while avoiding the risk of overwhelming the recruiter with excessive details. Teacher Resume Templates.
When applying for teaching and education administration roles, crafting a resume that effectively highlights your teaching skills, educational background, relevant experience, and notable achievements is essential. Teacher resume templates can be beneficial, as they heavily emphasize your subject expertise, credentials, continuing education efforts, and classroom skills.
Traditionally, teacher resumes have followed a chronological order to demonstrate professional growth and development. However, many candidates now opt for a combination approach that leads with a skills and highlights section, allowing them to showcase their most impressive qualifications and achievements immediately. Throughout the resume, it’s essential to incorporate relevant keywords emphasising mastery of the curriculum and knowledge of the most recent educational trends and best practices. By doing so, you’ll be more likely to catch the attention of potential employers and secure the teaching position or education administration role you’re after.
Engineering Resume Templates
When applying for a job in the engineering field, having a well-crafted resume that draws attention to your technical abilities and knowledge is essential. A practical engineering resume should include several key sections, such as a summary of relevant skills, certifications, technical proficiency, software and computer abilities, and details of significant projects you have worked on.
Your work history should be in reverse chronological order, emphasizing achievements and measurable contributions to demonstrate your value as an engineer. This may include specific accomplishments or statistics showcasing your work’s impact. In addition, an engineering resume may run slightly longer than other resumes, typically spanning around 2-3 pages due to the technical nature of the field.
Your resume for engineering can help you differentiate yourself from the other applicants by providing a detailed and all-encompassing summary of your technical skills, experience, and accomplishments. This will increase the likelihood that you will be hired for the position you seek.
IT Resume Templates
Crafting an impressive IT and technology resume requires a thoughtful approach to highlight your expertise in various areas, including operating systems, hardware components, networking protocols, coding/scripting languages, and applications. With well-crafted IT resume templates, you can showcase these skills effectively and confidently capture potential employers’ attention.
Compared to other professions, IT resumes can be slightly longer to incorporate the technical details that demonstrate your proficiency. Depending on your experience and background, a combination or functional resume style may be the most effective way to lead with your essential IT skills and achievements while effectively communicating your value proposition as a candidate. With this approach, you can confidently showcase your technical prowess, stand out, and land your dream IT job.
By utilizing the right resume style and highlighting your strengths, you can convey a sense of enthusiasm and optimism that will make you an attractive candidate to potential employers. With a friendly and positive attitude, you’ll be well on your way to success in the IT industry!
Nursing Resume Templates
A thoughtfully crafted resume is vital when landing your dream nursing or medical job. Your resume should showcase your extensive healthcare experience, medical knowledge, relevant certifications, specialized training, and the facilities you’ve worked in. But what sets a standout resume apart is the ability to highlight specific skills directly applicable to the job, such as patient care, lab work, administering medication, and emergency response.
When creating your nursing resume, there are a few different approaches to consider. A chronological resume is a popular choice as it allows you to detail your growth and expanding medical expertise over time. This means listing your most recent experience first, followed by your previous experiences in reverse chronological order.
In conclusion, a successful nursing or medical resume should provide prospective employers with a comprehensive understanding of your medical experience, skills, and education. By highlighting your relevant skills confidently and enthusiastically and presenting your work experience clearly and concisely, your resume will stand out and make a lasting impression on potential employers.
How to Customize a Resume Templates
Once you’ve chosen a resume templates, you must customize it with your personal, professional, and educational details. Here are some tips for customizing a template:
- Review sample resumes – Look at examples built with your template to see how to optimize it. Don’t copy content, but see how others position information.
- Change fonts and colours – Alter fonts and colours to fit your style, but keep changes minimal. You still want readability and professionalism.
- Add your contact info – Your contact information across the top is vital. Create a professional email if needed.
- Include a resume profile – A short 3-4 line profile or summary helps summarize your qualifications. State your professional title and overview your top skills and achievements. Focus on details relevant to the target role.
- Tailor your work history – Update the work history with your roles, companies, dates of employment, and significant achievements. Use bullet points to highlight accomplishments. Quantify achievements with numbers/data when possible.
- Update skills section – Ensure your skills section reflects the strengths needed for the target job. Break skills into categories like technical, interpersonal, software, etc.
- Customize achievements – Swap out or remove generic achievements. Add specific accomplishments that you are proud of.
- Refine education section – List your degrees, certifications, training programs, and relevant coursework. Mention academic achievements like honours, high GPA, scholarships, etc.
- Remove unnecessary sections – Delete template sections you don’t need for your industry or situation.
Customizing your template allows you to put your best professional foot forward. Be sure to tailor each resume to the specific role you are applying for.
Formatting Tips for an Effective Resume
Proper formatting makes your resume look polished, organized, and professional. Here are essential formatting tips:
- Use consistent formatting – Keep font styles, sizes, and formatting consistent. Avoid using too many different types and fonts.
- Leave adequate white space – White space improves readability and looks clean. Avoid dense blocks of text.
- Use bullet points – Bullet points highlight accomplishments and make your resume skimmable.
- Emphasize with bold/italics – Use bold and underlining sparingly to emphasize specifics like job titles or company names.
- Include paragraph spacing – Paragraph spacing between sections improves readability.
- Use standard date formatting – Keep date formats consistent. Month and year are acceptable if positions are recent.
- Order sections strategically – Place your most vital selling points first. Lead with a resume profile, skills, or work history – whatever you want to emphasize at the top.
- Align text – Choose left, right, or center-aligned text. Alignment creates structure. Flush left alignment is common.
- Set proper margins – Margins of .5″ – 1″ on all sides are standard. Larger margins create white space.
- Pick simple, professional headers – Section headers should use a slightly larger font or bolding – but keep styling minimal.
Proper formatting ensures your resume looks great and highlights your qualifications. Review your resume on both computer screens and print before submitting.
Optimizing Your Resume for Applicant Tracking Systems
In today’s job market, it has become increasingly common for companies to utilize applicant tracking systems (ATS) for screening and managing resumes. These systems scan resumes for job-specific keywords and information to identify potential candidates who meet the qualifications for the position.
The ATS technology has revolutionized the recruitment process, making it more efficient and effective by managing a large pool of applicants and reducing the time and resources needed for manual screening. If you are looking for a job, you need to personalize your resume and include pertinent keywords to increase the likelihood of getting an interview after the initial screening process.
You’ll want to optimize your resume to get past the ATS and into the hands of the hiring manager. Here’s how:
- Use a simple, universal file type – Plain text, PDF, and Microsoft Word documents are safest. Some ATS need to be able to read fancy or complicated file types.
- Avoid using graphics and tables – Stick to text instead of tables and graphics, which may not scan appropriately into the ATS.
- Include industry-specific keywords – Incorporate the essential requirements, skills, and industry terms mentioned in the job posting throughout your resume.
- Don’t use fancy formatting and fonts – Complex formatting like columns and small fonts may not scan properly. Stick to a simple, standard design.
- Check for errors – Look for spelling or grammar errors that could get your resume tossed.
- Submit a clean resume – Remove any resume header used for cover letters. Submit a resume file without cover letter text.
- Stay concise – Keep information short, specific, and scannable. Limit resumes to 1-2 pages.
- Use standard heading structure – Include typical headings like Work Experience, Skills, Education, etc.
Optimizing for ATS means using something other than a boring resume. You can still make your resume stand out by using ATS-friendly design choices.
Key Sections to Include in Your Resume
Regardless of which template or format you choose, certain sections should be included on every professional resume:
Contact Information
When crafting your resume, it’s crucial to include certain critical pieces of information to make it stand out to potential employers. First and foremost, you should list your contact information at the top of the page, including your full name, phone number, email address, and city/state of residence. You may also include those URLs if you have a professional LinkedIn profile or portfolio website.
Resume Profile/Summary
Next, it’s essential to include a short profile or summary section at the beginning of your resume that highlights your value proposition as a job candidate. This should include information about your years of experience, professional title or area of expertise, and top skills and achievements.
Work Experience
When it comes to detailing your work experience, you should create a section that outlines the companies you’ve worked for, your job titles, employment dates, and primary responsibilities and achievements. It’s generally best to list this information in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent or current position.
Skills
You should include a skills section showcasing your technical abilities, soft skills, and industry-specific competencies relevant to the job you’re applying for. This section can be broken down into subsections for easier reading and highlighting your strengths. You must ensure that your resume includes these essential components to increase your chances of getting hired for your dream job.
Education
Regarding your education, providing as much detail as possible is essential. Start by listing your degrees, certifications, and any training you’ve received. Remember to include any notable educational achievements, such as a high GPA or scholarships you may have received.
Awards/Honors
If you’ve received any professional awards or honours, it’s essential to highlight them in a separate section of your resume. This allows potential employers to see your achievements and talents clearly and concisely. So, take the time to list any relevant awards or honours you’ve received throughout your career.
Key Resume Sections Explained
Now, let’s explore the most critical resume sections in greater depth:
Contact Information
This section gives the employer your basic contact details. It includes:
There are certain vital elements that you need to have. In this section, we’ll review these elements to help you ensure that your resume is as complete and adequate as possible.
First up is your full name. You want to ensure that your name stands out on the page, so consider using a larger font, bold lettering, caps, or a different colour. If you have a nickname that you go by, you can include it in parentheses or quotes. However, make sure that your full name is listed prominently.
Next, you should include your primary phone number. This is the number that you want employers to use to contact you. If you have a secondary number you’re comfortable receiving calls on, you can also include that. However, remember that you want to ensure the reader knows the information.
Your email address is also a must-have on your resume. Ensure you’re using a professional email address rather than a school or a questionable personal email. This will help show potential employers you’re serious about your career.
Listing your city and state is also essential, showing your availability for job opportunities. This information can be beneficial for employers looking to hire locally.
You should include a link to your resume if you have a robust and complete LinkedIn profile. The more information and connections prospective employers have about you, the better. However, if your profile is incomplete or you don’t have one, it’s best to leave this out.
Finally, if you’re in a creative field like design or writing, include a link to your professional portfolio site or related work samples. This can showcase your skills and give potential employers a better idea of what you can do.
Overall, it’s essential to keep this section simple yet complete. You can make a great impression on recruiters by including all the relevant details in a manageable amount of space.
Resume Profile/Summary
A resume profile distils your value proposition into three to 3-4 concise statements. It covers:
- Your years of professional experience
- Title/role
- Industry-specific keywords/skills
- Notable achievements or awards
This high-level overview of your qualifications goes under your contact information as the first section visual to employers. It aligns your value with the employer’s needs right away.
Some examples:
- Manager of Digital Marketing who has worked in the industry for over five years, leading teams in creating highly successful, multi-channel approaches to customer acquisition.
- Project Manager with ten years of experience managing multidisciplinary engineering teams on construction projects costing more than five million dollars. Expert at scoping and planning complex initiatives from concept to completion.
Keep your profile focused on your most salient and relevant strengths. Let the rest of the resume fill in the details.
Work Experience
The work experience or work history section is the meat of your resume. It profiles your past roles, responsibilities, and achievements.
You should include:
When crafting your resume, you must provide comprehensive details for each job you’ve held. Here are some key elements to consider:
Job Title – This should be your official job title. However, if a more descriptive title would better convey your role, it’s perfectly acceptable to add it. For instance, you might use “Digital Marketing Specialist – Content and Social Media” to provide more clarity.
Employer Name – Be sure to include the name of the company where you worked. This helps provide context to your experience.
Employment Dates – Use the standard format of listing the month and year for each job. However, if the role is very recent, you should list specific months and years. Generally, once you have a few years of experience, it’s best to list them.
Location – Including the city and state (or country, if applicable) of the job’s location helps the employer understand your professional background.
Achievements and Responsibilities – Use bullet points to summarize your responsibilities and most impressive/relevant achievements in the role. It’s crucial to quantify your achievements with numbers whenever possible. Also, be sure to tailor your accomplishments and responsibilities to align with the needs of the job you are applying for. This allows the employer to see your qualifications quickly.
Order – List your roles chronologically, with your most recent position first. This helps to showcase your most current and relevant experience. It’s best to go back approximately 10-15 years on your resume timeline.
By providing these detailed job descriptions, you can highlight your professional experience clearly and concisely.
Skills
The skills section highlights your abilities and competencies that apply directly to your desired job. These showcase why you are qualified.
There are two options for presenting skills on your resume:
- Skills list – This is a simple list of relevant skill keywords separated by commas or broken into bullet points. For example:
- Technical skills: Java, JavaScript, HTML, T-SQL, Django, React
- Communication skills: Verbal, written, presentation, conflict resolution
- Software skills: Adobe Creative Suite, HubSpot, Salesforce, Basecamp
- Skills section – A more expansive skills section breaks down your abilities into categories with 3-5 bullet points for each. For example:
- Programming Languages: Proficient with Java, JavaScript, SQL, React, Python
- Database Management: Experienced in developing Microsoft SQL Server databases. Expertise in optimizing performance and security configurations.
- Team Leadership: Led multiple development teams through entire product lifecycles. Adept at agile workflows using Jira and Confluence.
- Either approach works. Focus on hard skills for technical roles and soft skills for non-technical ones.
Education
Provide details on your academic background, including any degrees, certifications, training programs, and specialized coursework relevant to your desired role.
For each education credential, list:
- Full degree name or credential
- University/institution name
- Location
- Year completed/expected graduation date
You can also call out academic achievements like honours, scholarships, high GPA, study abroad,
The Ultimate Guide to Writing Effective Job Descriptions
A well-written job description is a powerful tool for attracting candidates and communicating the role’s expectations, responsibilities, and benefits. By using clear, concise, and compelling language, you can effectively convey the core competencies, skills, and qualifications required for the job.
The job description should provide a detailed position summary, highlighting critical information such as the job title, department, reporting structure, and salary range. Additionally, it should outline the essential duties and responsibilities, required experience and qualifications, preferred skills, and any other relevant information. A well-crafted job description can help streamline the recruitment process, ensure that job seekers understand the role’s expectations, and ultimately attract the best candidates.
What is a Job Description?
Hello there! Are you curious how a job description can help you find the perfect job? Well, let me tell you! A job description is a fantastic tool that outlines all the essential duties, tasks, and responsibilities of a particular job. Not only does it help employers attract suitable candidates, but it also helps potential hires get a clear idea of their role in the organization.
Moreover, a well-written job description goes beyond day-to-day tasks and responsibilities. It includes essential information about the skills, education, and experience required to qualify for the position. A comprehensive overview of the role helps ensure that the right person is hired for the job, leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction for everyone involved.
So, if you’re looking for a job that fits your skills and experience, read the job description carefully and see if it fits you. Good luck!
In addition to being a critical recruitment tool, job descriptions also serve other purposes, such as:
- Providing a clear outline of the role of the hiring manager and recruiters
- Helping set expectations for new hires regarding their responsibilities
- Serving as the basis for employment contracts
- Ensuring legal compliance in areas such as non-discrimination
- Assisting with performance evaluations down the line
Crafting accurate, informative job descriptions is a crucial step in talent acquisition. Follow the guidelines below to create compelling postings that attract qualified applicants.
Critical Elements in a Job Description
Crafting a comprehensive job description is crucial in attracting suitable candidates. To achieve this, it is essential to include the following key elements that paint an accurate picture of the open position:
Job Title and Location
When creating a job posting, it’s crucial to ensure the job title is clear and descriptive. While some companies may opt for more creative titles, such as “Innovation Guru” or “Marketing Ninja”, these can often confuse applicants who may not fully understand the role’s responsibilities. Using an established, specific job title, such as “Marketing Manager” or “Software Engineer”, makes it easier for candidates to understand the position at a glance.
Additionally, it’s essential to list the city, state, country, or other location where the position will be based. This helps filter out applicants who may be unable to relocate or commute to the job site. For remote roles, it’s essential to specify that candidates can be based anywhere, as this can widen the pool of potential applicants. Providing detailed information about the role’s location can help attract qualified candidates who are a good fit for the job and the company.
Department and Reporting Structure
By identifying the department the new hire will be part of and the job title of their reporting manager, you can provide valuable context on where this position fits into the company structure. This information helps create a clear understanding of the new hire’s role and responsibilities, which is essential for effective onboarding and success. Don’t underestimate the importance of providing detailed information on the new hire’s department and reporting structure. It can make all the difference in setting the stage for a positive and productive work experience.
Summary Statement
Are you looking for a job that not only matches your skills and interests but also allows you to make a significant contribution to the company’s goals? If so, you need a job summary that provides a clear and comprehensive overview of the role and its key responsibilities. Before diving into the details, this high-level overview will help you determine whether the position is the right fit for you.
A well-crafted job summary outlines the essential functions of the role, highlights any unique aspects of the job, and identifies the qualifications and skills necessary for success. With a well-written job summary, you can assess your suitability for the role and make an informed decision. So why wait? Explore our comprehensive job summaries and take the first step towards your dream job today.
Core Job Responsibilities
When creating a job description, it’s essential to use bullet points to break down the day-to-day duties and tasks involved in the role. This helps provide a clear and concise overview of the job. When describing the responsibilities, it’s best to be as specific as possible to give applicants a realistic preview of an average day or week on the job. This can help attract suitable candidates and reduce the likelihood of turnover due to a mismatch in expectations.
Required Qualifications
In addition to outlining the day-to-day duties, it’s also essential to list the minimum education level, years of experience, hard skills, certifications, knowledge areas, and other qualifications required for consideration. These are the baseline criteria every candidate must meet to be viewed as a potential fit for the job. Providing this information can help weed out unqualified candidates and ensure that the right people apply for the position.
Preferred Qualifications
Don’t forget to highlight any extra skills, experiences, or attributes that might not be essential but would make a candidate stand out. These “nice to have” qualifications can make a candidate more attractive to employers and set them apart from the competition. So, providing as much information as possible when describing these additional qualifications is crucial. For instance, it could be anything from expertise in specific software to fluency in a foreign language or experience in a particular industry. Remember, the more comprehensive your list, the more likely you’ll find your ideal candidate!
Physical Requirements
When delineating a job position involving any form of physical exertion, such as lifting heavy weights, it is imperative to provide a comprehensive account of the nature of such activity. This will enable prospective applicants to make an informed decision concerning their ability to perform duties commensurate with the job requirements before submitting their application.
Salary and Benefits
It is crucial to provide a comprehensive overview of the compensation package, including the pay range and a detailed list of benefits associated with the position. By doing so, potential candidates can make informed decisions about the work and whether it aligns with their expectations. The upfront disclosure of salary information can help eliminate candidates who may not be interested in the compensation offered, which can streamline the hiring process for employers and job seekers. Therefore, including a thorough breakdown of the pay and benefits provided for any job opening is highly recommended.
Company Description
Briefly describe your company’s mission, culture, and employee value proposition. Give applicants a sense of your brand identity and work environment.
Following this standard structure ensures all critical information is included. But the real art is in crafting language that sells the role and gives candidates confidence it’s the right next career move for them.
How to Write Compelling Job Description Content
Merely listing responsibilities and requirements creates a flat, uninspiring job description. Your content needs to bring the opportunity to life in a way that excites qualified applicants to apply. Follow these best practices when writing the reports:
Use Active Voice and Strong Verbs
Active voice and powerful words make your content more compelling. For example:
- Weak: Responsibilities include processing customer orders.
- Strong: Process all incoming customer orders with efficiency and accuracy.
Aim for variety in your verbs. Repeat words like “manage” and “handle” become repetitive. Use the job tasks as a chance to showcase the position’s diversity.
Focus on the Value to Candidates
Explain why this is an excellent opportunity for the right person. Emphasize development opportunities, career growth potential, opportunities to make an impact, exposure to innovative projects, and other selling points that excite candidates.
Convey Company Culture
Weave in details and language reflective of your workplace culture. Highlight perks and benefits that set your company apart and appeal to top talent.
Quantify and Qualify Descriptions
Include numbers and details that quantify responsibilities and requirements. This makes them more concrete for applicants.
For example:
- Weak: Manage multiple client accounts and projects.
- Strong: Manage a portfolio of 50 key client accounts and 20+ projects concurrently.
Avoid ambiguous descriptors like “high volume” or “fast-paced.” Quantify volume and pace for clarity.
Align with Brand Voice
Maintain a consistent tone and style aligned with your employer’s brand voice. This ensures job descriptions reinforce your identity and values.
Optimize for Scannability
Bulleted lists, bolded headings, and short paragraphs ensure your content is easily scanned. Dense blocks of text are difficult to digest. White space improves reading ease.
Review for Necessary Details
Ensure you have the essentials covered, including an accurate job title, location, department context, summary, responsibilities, requirements, qualifications, and benefits. The description should contain what candidates need to evaluate their fit.
Key Mistakes to Avoid
Some common job description pitfalls detract from your ability to attract suitable talent. Be mindful to avoid the following issues:
Using a Generic, Overly Broad Description
A successful job listing hinges on a well-crafted description that clearly and accurately conveys the requirements and responsibilities of the role. It’s crucial to avoid using generic language that fails to provide applicants with a realistic view of what the position entails. Instead, a tailored approach highlighting the job’s unique aspects is essential to attract top-quality candidates. A detailed and accurate job description not only helps to weed out unsuitable candidates but also helps ensure that the right people apply for the job. Remember, the job listing is often the first point of contact a potential employee has with your company, so it’s essential to get it right.
Listing Every Conceivable Responsibility
Focus on the core tasks and duties that comprise most of the role. Avoid including every fringe responsibility or rare charge to make the job sound expensive. Overloading the description is counterproductive.
Using Industry Jargon and Corporate Speak
Write for the general public without overly technical terms or vague corporate-speak like “synergize” and “leverage.” Plain, conversational language is the most accessible.
Making Exaggerated Claims
Don’t misrepresent the role or overpromise what the worker can expect. Be honest and realistic. You want to attract candidates who are a legitimate fit.
Using Discriminatory Language
Exclude any language that implies bias based on age, gender, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability status, or other protected classes. Make sure qualifications are purely job-related.
Neglecting Company Culture Descriptions
With the rise in remote work, conveying company culture is more important than ever. Candidates want a sense of your values, social impact, and what makes your company unique.
Forgetting Keyword Optimization
Include relevant keywords so your job posts are easily discoverable by talent seeking those roles. But avoid awkward repetition. Keywords should flow naturally.
Tips for Specialized Job Descriptions
Specific roles require a modified approach and extra details in their descriptions. Here are tips tailored to particular contexts:
Executive Job Descriptions
For leadership roles, emphasize strategic responsibilities and oversight of managers/teams. Detail soft skills like emotional intelligence and communication abilities. Discuss ties to overall company success.
Entry-Level Job Descriptions
Focus on opportunities for learning and career advancement. Recent grads want mentorship, training, and future growth possibilities.
Sales Job Descriptions
Highlight earning potential and incentives like commissions and bonuses. Specify sales targets and metrics used to gauge performance. Discuss provided resources and account ownership.
Remote Job Descriptions
Specify work-from-home flexibility upfront. Detail required availability for scheduled video meetings. Share remote culture elements and policies.
Part-Time Job Descriptions
List reduced hours expectations. But also call out possibilities for schedule flexibility on nights/weekends.
Contractor Job Descriptions
Specify project length or limited duration. List deliverables/milestones expected to be achieved.
Best Practices for Formatting Job Descriptions
Proper formatting improves the immobility of your content and helps draw attention to critical sections. Follow these tips:
Use a Logical Layout
Organize from most crucial info to supplementary details. Opening with the summary and core responsibilities provides an overview.
Break into Short Paragraphs
Paragraphs that span more than 6-8 lines become difficult to parse. Divide longer sections into bite-sized chunks using line breaks.
Liberal Use of Headers and Bullet Points
Headers are visually separate sections, while bullets make lists more readable.
Bold Important Keywords
Strategically bold verbs and keywords to make them jump off the page. But don’t overdo it.
Make it Skimmable
Enable rapid scanning by highlighting main points and using white space between paragraphs and sections.
Use an Easy-to-Read Font
Fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica provide the best paragraph readability. Use larger sizes and weights for headers.
Correct Grammar and Spelling
Typos or grammatical errors undermine your professionalism. Always proofread thoroughly.
Mobile and ATS-Friendly
Simplify formatting to ensure your description renders well on mobile and in applicant tracking systems that may strip styling.
Where to Post Your Job Descriptions
Once you’ve written compelling job descriptions, it’s time to post them where your ideal candidates will find them. Common options include:
- Your company careers page
- Online job boards like Indeed, Monster, etc.
- Social media channels
- Professional association sites related to the role
- University Career Center platforms
- LinkedIn Jobs
- Print/digital ads
The more platforms you can post the description on, the better chance of exposure. Partner with your recruiting team to maximize reach.
How to Assess and Improve Your Job Descriptions
Track your job descriptions’ performance and fine-tune them as needed. Metrics to monitor include:
- Applications per posting
- Quality of applicants
- Time-to-fill rates
- Offer acceptance rates
- New hire retention
Low or decreasing numbers indicate your descriptions may need reworking. Update any inaccurate or missing details. Refresh language to increase excitement. Add details that resonate with in-demand candidates.
Also, directly ask candidates for feedback during interviews on what attracted them to the role. Note what compelled them to apply so you can emphasize those factors.
Great job descriptions play a pivotal role in recruiting. Following these best practices will allow you to reach excited, qualified applicants with compelling postings. Monitor their effectiveness and continually update them for optimal results. With strategic descriptions, you can convey the most appealing aspects of your open roles.
