How to Write Effective Tech Job Descriptions: Tips and Best Practices
Writing a compelling Tech job description is a challenge every hiring manager faces. As the first point of contact with potential candidates, your job description must stand out, engage, and convince the best candidates to apply.
The Importance of Writing Effective Job Descriptions:
41% Increase in Applications: Emphasizing company culture and mission can lead to a 41% increase in applications (Glassdoor)
36% Increase in Responses: Defining clear responsibilities significantly boosts candidate engagement (Linkedin)
60% of Job Seekers: Are deterred by overly complex or confusing job descriptions (Glassdoor).
50% of Job Seekers: Will not apply to a job if they feel the description is unclear about the role's responsibilities (Indeed).
In this article we will provide you with essential tips and outline what is needed to help you craft effective and impactful job descriptions.
Biggest Mistakes Companies Make When Writing Job Descriptions
Lack of Focus on Company Culture: Failing to highlight your company's values, mission, and workplace culture makes it difficult for candidates to assess whether your company aligns with their personal ambitions and goals. To maximize appeal, showcase what makes your company unique to attract candidates who resonate with your ethos.
Unrealistic Expectations: Listing an excessive number of programming languages or a lengthy array of technologies may make it easier for candidates to find your job descriptions, but it can also create confusion about what they will actually be working with. Be realistic and focused on the essential skills required for the role.
Failure to Collaborate: Job descriptions should be crafted collaboratively by technical managers, who provide a detailed understanding of the position's requirements, and HR and Talent Acquisition experts, who can offer insights into what the company offers and what attracts candidates.
Failing to list compensation: whilst in some geographies this is a legal requirement, in many it is not. However studied show that including information about salary and compensation resulted in 30% more applications than those that do not. This transparency helps attract more candidates by building trust from the outset.
Neglecting SEO: Ignoring the importance of keywords can make it harder for job seekers to find your listing. Optimize your job descriptions with relevant keywords to improve visibility and attract the right talent.
Tips for Writing Clear and Engaging Job Descriptions
Preparation
Before even starting to write a job description, there are several questions you should prepare to answer and include:
What is in it for the candidate?
Why should a developer feel excited about the company or role?
How can you describe what your product or service is trying to achieve?
How is your product or service impacting the globe? Developers will find one more reason to join you if they feel their work in the company has a larger agenda.
Company Introduction - Keep It Brief
While it’s essential to introduce your company, the focus should be on what makes your organization unique. Instead of inundating candidates with company history, emphasize your company culture and values. Mention any industry awards or accolades that showcase your standing and reputation.
Highlighting Company Culture and Values
When detailing company culture and values in your job description, focus on elements that resonate with top talent. Here are some key points to include:
Inclusivity and Diversity: Outline your commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued and respected.
Work-Life Balance: Emphasize policies that support work-life balance, such as flexible working hours, remote work options, and generous leave policies.
Employee Development: Showcase opportunities for professional growth, including mentorship programs, continued education stipends, and career advancement paths.
Career Progression: include information about how performance is reviewed and the possibilites for career progression within the company
Community Engagement: Mention any corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives or community projects that highlight your company's commitment to giving back.
Team Collaboration: Highlight a collaborative environment where teamwork and open communication are integral to success.
Recognition and Rewards: Explain how achievements are recognized and rewarded, whether through formal programs, bonuses, or casual acknowledgments.
Positive Work Environment: Describe the atmosphere at your workplace, focusing on aspects like a supportive and friendly team, modern workspace, and any unique perks that contribute to employee satisfaction.
Defining Key Responsibilities and Expectations
Balancing clear expectations with an inclusive tone is crucial in this section. A LinkedIn report found that women apply to 20% fewer jobs than men because they feel they need to meet 100% of the criteria before applying. Clearly define the role and what success looks like, while encouraging applications from those who may feel underqualified.
Best Practices
Highlight daily responsibilities and long-term goals
Differentiate between individual expectations and team goals
Include examples of what successful performance looks like in the role.
Provide a list of hard requirements and a secondary list of desired “nice to have” skills to encourage applications.
For maximum SEO outreach, include similar alternate technologies in the requirements alongside those used in the team tech stack.
Where relevant, include information about required soft skills.
Emphasize the willingness to train or the value of transferable skills.
Provide information about the onboarding process, detailing what it entails and how new employees are set up for success.
Maximum Outreach - Best Practices for SEO in Job Descriptions: Attracting the Right Candidates
Identifying Relevant Keywords
To make your job description searchable, identify and include relevant keywords that potential candidates are likely to use. Tools like Google's Keyword Planner can help you find these keywords.
Skill Tagging
Most job descriptions are found through keyword searches for specific technologies. Including an in-depth list of the tech stack used by your team can help ensure your job ad is found by the right candidates.
Industry Tagging
Industry tagging is often set by the job board and may be non-customisable. In these cases, use the relevant industry tag and include various alternative industry keywords in the job description to maximize SEO.
Structuring Content for Readability and Searchability
Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to break up the text. This makes the content more readable and improves its SEO performance.
Tools and Resources for Crafting Effective Tech Job Descriptions
Copy.ai: Generates tailored job descriptions ensuring they are engaging and clear.
Textio: Enhances the language and inclusivity of your job descriptions.
Grammarly: For grammar and readability checks.
Gender Decoder: Checks for gender-coded words in your job description to ensure inclusivity.
Google Keyword Planner: Helps identify the right keywords for better visibility in search engines.
O*NET Online: A detailed database of occupational information that helps define job roles, tasks, and skills.
A well-crafted job description is more than just a list of duties and requirements; it’s a strategic tool that can attract top talent, set clear expectations, and enhance your employer brand. By following these tips and best practices, you can create job descriptions that not only fill positions but also contribute to your company’s long-term success.
If you need assistance or support in refining your job descriptions, feel free to contact us. We're here to help you attract the best candidates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Measure the Success of My Job Descriptions?
To measure the success of your job descriptions, start by tracking key performance metrics such as the number of applications received and the quality of applicants (percentage of applicants invited to interview). Utilize tools like Google Analytics to monitor the traffic to your job postings and see where applicants are coming from. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) can provide valuable insights into the candidate pipeline and help you assess the conversion rate from job views to applications. Additionally, gather feedback from recent hires to understand what attracted them to your job description and identify areas for improvement
What Are the Best Ways to Promote Job Descriptions Beyond Traditional Job Boards?
Beyond traditional job boards, you can promote job descriptions through various channels to reach a wider audience. Leverage social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to share job postings and engage with potential candidates. Ask team members to share job descriptions with their networks on professional sites like LinkedIn. Utilize your company’s career page and employee networks for referrals. Attend industry-specific events, webinars, and meetups to connect with professionals in your field. Additionally, using content marketing strategies such as participating in podcasts or writing blog posts can also help promote your job openings.
How Can I Make My Job Descriptions Appealing to Passive Candidates Who Are Not Actively Looking for a Job?
As 70% of tech candidates are only passively looking for a job, it is key to make job descriptions compelling and engaging. Highlight the unique aspects of your company and the benefits of the role, such as flexible working arrangements, career growth opportunities, and company culture. Focus on how the role can advance their career or provide new challenges. Including information about the impact of their work and how they can contribute to significant projects can also pique their interest.
How Do I Write Job Descriptions for Roles That Are New or Rapidly Evolving in the Tech Industry?
When writing job descriptions for new or rapidly evolving roles, focus on the core responsibilities and the impact the role will have on the company. Emphasize the skills and attributes that are essential, rather than listing every possible task. Highlight the need for adaptability and a willingness to learn new technologies or methods. Including a section on the potential for growth and development within the role can also attract candidates who are excited about being at the forefront of industry changes.
