How to Write a Job Description: Steps, Tips, and Templates

Crafting the perfect job description is a critical step in attracting the right candidates—but it’s not something every talent team wants to do manually. While GoPerfect doesn’t build job descriptions, we do help recruiters work smarter after they’re written: sourcing, screening, and engaging the right talent quickly.

In this guide, we’ll walk through how to write a job description, explain what is a job description, and show you how to connect it with the right candidates using modern recruiting platforms.

What Is a Job Description?

Before jumping into the "how," let’s define what is a job description.

A job description is a formal document that outlines the key responsibilities, qualifications, skills, and expectations for a specific role. It acts as both a marketing tool for candidates and a contract reference for employers.

At a minimum, it should include:

• Job title
• Department and reporting lines
• Core responsibilities
• Required qualifications (education, certifications, experience)
• Preferred skills and competencies
• Work environment (remote, hybrid, in-office)
• Compensation (if disclosed)

Job descriptions should also reflect your company culture and be inclusive in tone to attract a diverse talent pool.

How to Write a Job Description (Step-by-Step)

Here’s a structured process to follow:

1. Start With a Clear, Specific Title

Avoid jargon or overly broad titles. "Marketing Coordinator" is better than "Marketing Ninja."

2. Write a Compelling Summary

Start with 2–3 sentences that outline what the role is and why it matters to the company. Think of it as your elevator pitch.

3. Outline Responsibilities

Use bullet points to list the core duties. Start each point with an action verb:

• Manage the editorial calendar
• Coordinate with design and content teams
• Analyze campaign performance metrics

4. Specify Required and Preferred Qualifications

Differentiate between must-haves and nice-to-haves. This helps avoid turning away great candidates who may be missing one optional skill.

5. Highlight Culture and Benefits

Give candidates a glimpse of what it’s like to work with your team—the values, perks, and purpose beyond the paycheck.

6. Include Clear Application Instructions

If you're using an ATS or email, make sure the "how to apply" process is intuitive and frictionless.

What Happens After You Post a Job Description?

This is where the real work begins—and where GoPerfect delivers.

A job description is only valuable if it leads to the right candidates. With traditional tools, you may be limited to inbound applicants. GoPerfect helps you:

• Source top talent across public and third-party databases
• Match candidates based on job descriptions using semantic search
• Automate outreach with targeted email campaigns
• Integrate seamlessly with your ATS to avoid manual data entry

While we don’t write job descriptions, we optimize what happens next.

Top Tools to Help You Write Job Descriptions

Need support writing job descriptions? Here are 6 tools to consider:

• Ongig is a job description writing tool focused on reducing bias and improving employer branding, with features like inclusive language checks, collaborative editing, and brand consistency controls.
• Textio is an AI-powered writing platform that helps optimize job descriptions using augmented writing, inclusive language suggestions, and performance-based wording recommendations.
• Workable is an applicant tracking system (ATS) that includes job description templates, job board distribution, and team collaboration tools for hiring teams.
• Greenhouse is an enterprise ATS that supports structured job description workflows, approval processes, and reporting for scalable recruiting operations.
• JazzHR is a recruiting platform designed for small and mid-sized businesses, offering customizable job description templates, compliance tools, and role-based access control.
• Lever is a recruiting software platform that combines a visual job description builder with pipeline tracking and collaborative hiring features.

Tips to Improve Job Description Performance

• Use gender-neutral language to improve diversity
• Keep paragraphs short and scannable
• Include salary ranges if possible
• Make your application CTA stand out ("Apply Now" or "Join Our Team")
• Link to your careers page or team culture blog

Write Better Descriptions. Source Smarter Candidates.

Once you’ve nailed the job description, it’s time to put it to work. GoPerfect connects your open roles to the right candidates with AI-powered sourcing, outreach, and insights.

Try GoPerfect and amplify your hiring results today.

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