Crafting an Effective Job Description

Shaun Coghlan

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Searching for new staff can be costly, from posting advertisements to conducting interviews. There is a lot of work involved in finding a new worker. However, what's worse is that if your job description for the role is not of the highest quality, you may end up wasting valuable time and resources. Without the right information on display, the wrong people may apply, or even worse, a perfect candidate might think the job isn't right for them and choose not to apply.

For this reason, the importance of your job description for the role cannot be understated. It serves as the first point of contact between you and job seekers. By creating a comprehensive and appealing job description, you can significantly enhance the efficiency of your hiring process and minimize the potential for wasted time.

Why Job Descriptions Matter:

A well-written job description not only attracts qualified tech candidates but also acts as a filtering mechanism to deter unsuitable applicants. By clearly defining the role's requirements and including necessary information about your company, you can ensure that only those who meet the necessary criteria and have a genuine interest apply. This initial screening saves valuable time and resources, allowing you to focus on a smaller pool of higher-quality candidates.

What Should Be Included in a Job Description?

When writing a job description for your new role, ensure that you clearly define the role and consider what a developer would be looking for in a position with you. By providing a concise summary of the position, outlining key responsibilities, reporting relationships, and objectives, you can instantly set the expectations of applicants and enable them to make an educated choice based on the provided information.

However, unlike other industries, tech candidates aren't just looking for another job but are often seeking opportunities to grow their skill sets. For this reason, it is important to include information about your development team, its structure, and the technologies you are working with. These candidates are also interested in understanding the values of your company and knowing if there is a culture for growth and improvement that will allow them to continue enhancing their skill sets.



While not always necessary, including a salary range and details about your company's benefits has been shown to improve application numbers. We understand that including salary information in the job description may not be possible for some roles. However, by providing information on additional benefits such as staff events, compensation packages, etc., you can entice more candidates compared to a job description without such details.

In conclusion, writing a good job description is an essential step in the recruitment process. By investing time and effort into crafting a clear and comprehensive job description, you can attract qualified candidates who meet the necessary criteria. This not only enhances the efficiency of your hiring process but also minimizes the potential for wasted time by focusing on individuals who are genuinely interested and well-suited for the role. Remember, a well-written job description is the first step towards building a strong team and driving organizational success.