7-Steps Formula to a Dazzling Job Description (with Examples!)
It all starts with the job description. And first impression matters.
The job description is not just a list of the requirements and responsibilities anymore. JD now is a medium of communication between a company and a future employee. Its power is not only about sharing the job details, but rather building a holistic image of the company’s culture. Let’s make sure it works well at your team!
Here’s a step-by-step guide to how to write a Dazzling Job Description. So, in 2021 your job description MUST include:
- A humane company overview. The first rule here: keep in mind your target user — your candidate. The overview should not sound like a pitch for a potential investor, but rather how you’d tell your friend about the company you enjoy working at. Yet, make sure they get a gist of the product and your mission. Don’t forget to talk about your culture.
A great example from a Concept Designer job description at Snap:
“Snap Inc. is a camera company. We believe that reinventing the camera represents our greatest opportunity to improve the way people live and communicate. Our products empower people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn about the world, and have fun together.”
Nailed it!
2. Who are you looking for and why. Let this part sound like a story, where you start with the purpose of the role. This paragraph answers a question “why” and builds empathy.
An amazing example from the Lead Product Designer JD at Blitz:
“The Blitz team is seeking an experienced Lead Product Designer to help us build and scale the product design practice. Reporting to the Director of Design, you will work with key cross-functional stake-holders across product, design, and engineering to design new features for Blitz and to manage other designers on the team.”
3. Talk about the responsibilities. Bulleted list is a strong YES. Limit yourself to 5–6 main points to make sure the candidate reads it till the end.
Here’s a snippet from the Senior Product Designer JD at Twitter:
Design, prototype, and develop elegant solutions for our mobile and web apps.
Identify user needs, sketch solutions, build prototypes, test ideas with our research team, and refine designs with data and customer feedback.
Document detailed interaction models and UI specifications.
Evangelize the best UI practices to other designers, engineers, and product managers.
4. As a nice gesture, put the List of Requirements after the Responsibilities paragraph.
Be clear and concise about the requirements. Avoid generic phrases and ambiguous messages, such as: “An ability to think globally, taking a broad view of all variables that could impact future product and company-wide success” (Yes! It’s actually copied from a real-world job description!).
Here’s a good Requirements example from a Senior Product Designer description at Dropbox:
Prototypes with Figma (or similar tools like Sketch, Adobe XD, Framer, etc).
Refines their solutions and designs through usability testing.
Spikes in interaction design.
Approaches designing a user’s journey holistically.
Comfortable with travel, potentially quarterly post-COVID.
5. Add a Benefits section, but please, please don’t use a word “Benefits”. Let it sound less formal, just as “What it’s like to work with us”, “We offer” or “What you’ll get”. Start with the essential benefits, like equity, health benefits and insurance. Later move to the less common ones: regular team bakery competitions, online Jiu Jitsu classes, or mention you have a separate chat to share your cute pets videos. Make it unique, make it personal.
6. Set up expectations. Tell about the interview steps you have and what’s the timing. Giving candidates a little extra context will provide them with a sense of what is going on and ease the stress of wondering. This way you build empathy with them and show you respect their time.
7. Go-to-action! Don’t forget about the Apply button. You’d say that’s obvious, but we are seeing thousands of JDs without it. Our recommendation is to also add a less direct option for the candidates who are still hesitant about applying. Something like “If you still have any questions, drop us a line at me@bestcompany.com”.
It is important:
Think of the UX of your JD. Make sure the content is readable and well-structured. Avoid long blocks of text. Write short, concise sentences. Make sure the job description takes on the voice and tone of the company’s brand.
You can get creative adding your team photos, video job overview, infographics and storyboards. But these 7 Steps above are essential to attract a great talent this year.
PS: Apologies for being so design-centered, I’m just running a Design Recruitment Agency 🧐
