Write job descriptions to attract the best candidates

Write job descriptions to attract the best candidatesTheres a definite art to crafting application materials, like your resume or cover letter. But think about the flip side of that equation. What about when youre the recruiter or HR person in charge of writing the job description that will bring in all the best candidates? If youve ever seen those job descriptions that are so full of jargon that no one understands what the job is, or the job description that is so long and detailed that maybe one person out of a thousand would feel qualified enough to apply, you know that theres a balance needed.As a hiring professional, you know that if you want to fill a position well, you have to get the best possible candidates to apply (or youll find yourself staring down this same job description a few months from now). So how do you write a solid job description that will attract the right people? Lets look at some writing tips and strategies.Skip the buzzwords.When you see buzzwords or other language thats clearly trying to cater to a young, hip, start-up-style crowd, it can come off as more like a parent trying to sound cool. And no one (especially the uncool parent) wants to be seen that way. It feels awkward to read a job description looking for a code ninja or marketing superstar. Remember people are coming to your job description because theyre looking for an opportunity. You dont have to be flashy to get attention. Its better to focus on providing a clear, accurate job description than trying to sound edgy or innovative.Ditching the buzzwords can also help your searchability factor. Job seekers arent searching for terms like guru or rockstar. Theyre searching for specialist or supervisor. And if your job description isnt coming up in keyword searches, youll risk losing out on potentially great candidates who are searching for more targeted terms. Accurate information is more important than charm here.Be detailed.You may think its obvious what a Data Analyst does, and that people searching for jobs in this area probably have at least a passing idea. But you dont want to take for granted that potential applicants will magically know what the job entails. Its important to give a clear, detailed synopsis of the work involved in this role. A detailed job description should include