A job ad is essentially a sales pitch to prospective applicants. Ads run on platforms including LinkedIn, Indeed, and company websites.
Generally, people search by job title, the job description gives the first opportunity to impress prospective candidates with the position.
A well-structured job description often includes:
The job title
Location
A summary of the position
The working environment
A well-put-together job description is essential to clearly and accurately portray a job. Vaguely written job descriptions lead to confusion for applicants, delays in hiring, and can potentially harm the hiring organisation’s reputation.
To help promote fairness and inclusivity, job descriptions should be free from bias, whether related to gender, religion, or other areas. Guaranteeing fair and equal access to roles not only supports diversity but also helps attract a wider pool of qualified candidates.
How to Write a Job Description
52% of job seekers said that a well-structured job description was influential in their decision to apply for a job. Candidates learn what the company considers most important, establish the skills required, the company culture and the duties expected.
For organisations, a carefully crafted job description ensures that only the right candidates apply for the position. Saving time and resources, reviewing applications and identifying those to interview.
Let’s walk through the steps of writing a high-quality job description that will attract the talent your business needs.
1. Job Title and Summary
The job title and job summary are used as the initial sorting mechanism. They are your first opportunities to sell a job to prospective candidates.
With 36% of jobseekers searching for job titles to find the role, be sure your job titles align with industry standards. When posting a job to online platforms such as Indeed, LinkedIn, and Irish Jobs, include keywords relevant to the position to help job seekers find the role.
The job summary should be short yet specific about what the role entails.
Example: ‘Cpl have an incredible opportunity for Data Architect. In the role, you will provide technical expertise in designing, developing, and maintaining enterprise architecture, data models, and solutions. You will work closely with project and engagement managers to ensure successful delivery, guiding client assessments and creating future state architectures.’
2. Location
The location is where the job seeker will need to commute to. If the role is remote, write "Remote" into the location.
If the job is hybrid, include the physical location and then indicate exactly how hybrid the job is (ex: twice a month vs twice a week) so job seekers apply only for jobs they can physically get to.
Example: ‘With their headquarters in the heart of Dublin City Centre, this hybrid role requires 3 days office attendance per week with the remaining two days remote.’
3. Role responsibilities
The role responsibilities are the tasks and duties that will be assigned to the new hire. This includes details about what the new hire will be doing day to day.
Responsibilities indicate two important factors.
First, they show where in the company the role sits and the tasks they perform as part of the company machine.
Second, they outline the skills and credentials needed to perform the role. This may include a list of essential requirements or nice-to-have skills depending on the role.
Example:
Responsibilities include:
Manage the full recruitment lifecycle for assigned business areas
Partnering with hiring managers to design job descriptions and lead sourcing, screening, interviewing, and offer processes.
Utilise recruitment tools and support the TA Manager with innovative sourcing strategies.
Implement creative approaches to maintain a talent pipeline and gather market intelligence.
Proactively reach out to inactive candidates and collaborate with HR and Line Managers for effective recruitment campaigns.
4. Working Environment
A job description should also include details about the environment the candidate will be stepping into. This element is more important than you may think. A recent study by WorkHuman found that the higher an employee rates their company culture are less likely to leave.
This company introduction typically includes a description of the company's industry, mission, values, and purpose. This tells job seekers who they are working for and the general ethos of the job. It might also include notes on the physical office environment and specific benefits that make the job unique or appealing.
Example:
Trinity is Ireland’s leading university and is ranked 87th in the world. The successful candidate will work in marketing, events and communications, in support of the School’s Foundation, Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes…
5. Salary Range/Benefits
75% of job seekers reported being more likely to apply for a job if the salary range is listed.
Applicants want to know how much a job pays before they go through the process of applying and interviewing for the position.
The EU Pay Transparency Directive, set to take effect in Ireland by June 2026, will require organisations to adopt greater transparency around pay. Employers will need to disclose salary ranges in job ads or before the interview process begins.
Benefits are another pulling factor to get candidates to apply for the role. To attract qualified professionals, it's important to highlight genuine perks in the job description, such as bonuses, performance-based compensation, and healthcare benefits. It’s important to exclude statutory rights, such as paid holidays or sick leave, as benefits—they are legal entitlements, not extras, and shouldn't be framed as such.
If you want to ensure that candidates aren't just viewing your job listings but are applying include the pay range and benefits in the job description.
Example:
Company Name
County Dublin
€42,500 a year
Benefits You Can Expect
Competitive salary and annual bonus program
Healthcare provided to all employees and their eligible family members, paid by the Company
Life cover (4X base salary)
Pension contributions up to 8% of your annual base salary
25 days annual leave (pro-rated) + 10 days paid sick
Powerful Job Descriptions Attract Valuable Candidates
Magnifying points included in the job description, and the job specification further seals the deal of a job ad, offering insight into the kind of person who would best be able to perform the role. This includes their education, qualifications, experience and skills.
Cpl can help your organisation reach your talent solution needs, starting with powerful job descriptions to attract top talent in your industry. Contact us today to learn more.
Sources
EU Pay Transparency Directive and its implications for employers, PWC, March 2024.
Pay secrecy norms have ‘simply lost their teeth,’ say experts. Here’s why, CNBC, Sept 2023.
Workplace Culture: What Is it and Why Is it Important in 2024?, WorkHuman, October 2024.
Survey: How to Improve Your Job Postings to Attract Better Candidates, Indeed, November 2024.