Following is a real job description that attracted an excellent candidate.
Notice both the length (short and accessible) and the tone. It reads like it was written by a real human being rather than some kind of automated job-bot. It’s also full of compelling specifics:
[Company name] is looking for a Senior Sales Engineer to increase business at one of our largest customers. You’ll be responsible for a $25M business (2022 revenue) that we plan to invest in and double over the next three years.
We’re looking for someone with:
- A proven background selling high technology [type of equipment] to large customers. This is a requirement, not a nice to have.
- A BS or BA degree
- Demonstrated success in growing sales profitably. To get this job, you’ll have to show us 1) that you have already grown a business to at least $5M per year in revenue, 2) that net profit grew over time as well, and 3) how you did it
[Company name] is an innovative, fast-growing manufacturer of (type of equipment), components and systems. In fact, our business has doubled over the past four years.
We’re also an employer of choice for people who value:
- Promotion from within (15% of our employees earned promotions in the first quarter of 2018)
- Expert co-workers (with products, patents and track records to prove it) willing to teach what they know
- Meaningful work
- Flexible hours
Like other employers, we offer competitive salaries, annual increases, profit sharing, tuition refund, and medical, dental and vision benefits.
Unlike other employers, you can work here and have a personal life at the same time.
If you’re qualified and interested in joining us, please click the link below to apply. We look forward to hearing from you.
Notice what this job description includes:
-Challenge: A big business with plans to double it. An enticing possibility for the right person.
-Specific Experience: You must have done something similar on a smaller scale. This eliminates unqualified candidates.
-Growth Potential: A promote-from-within commitment with specifics to back it up.
-Learning Potential: Experts willing to work with you.
-Work/Life Balance: Sure, this term is cliché, but saying it here means it’s more likely to be the case (plus, the description has built-in credibility due to the other factors on this list).
The second-to-last sentence (you can work here and have a personal life) is particularly nice, stating what the employer stands for—and will provide for the right candidate—in a believable and compelling way.
Is it more work to write a job description like this? Absolutely. But it will save you countless hours of time and hassle in the long run.
Once it’s written, a strong job description does a lot of the heavy lifting for you by attracting the right candidates and discouraging the wrong ones. Your recruiting becomes more efficient, better targeted, and a lot less expensive.