How To Write a Job Description: Template and Example

A job description (or job advert) explains the responsibilities, qualifications, benefits and (often) the salary of a position your company hopes to fill. A company uses a job description to specify the qualifications of an ideal candidate, while offering applicants the information they need to determine if they qualify. 

A job description is the beginning of the recruitment process for an open role. It details the roles, responsibilities and requirements for the position, as well as important information about your company, including salary, benefits and company culture. When a job description provides the necessary details, it sets up the candidate and the employer for a successful interview. 

Below, we’ll explore the different components and steps to writing a successful job advert: 

The job title goes at the top of the advert, both for practical purposes and to catch the eye of qualified candidates. Formulate a title, 10 to 80 characters in length. Use common and accurate position titles to make your position easy to find on search engines and job boards.

Commute time can influence a candidate’s decision to accept a job. Make sure to include whether the job is hybrid or fully remote, too, or if you offer relocation assistance if the position is in person.

Draw in candidates with a compelling opener. Candidates are scrolling through dozens of openings, so an intriguing start can turn the right heads. Tell them the “why” right away – why this job, and why your company?

This is a thorough overview of what a candidate can expect from this role. Paint a clear picture of the position: Detail the daily responsibilities and overall function they will serve in the organisation.

Job requirements are the skills and qualifications they’ll need to qualify for the position. The key is to be realistic about and clear with your expectations. For example, state the number of years of experience and avoid vague statements like “several years”.

Use this next section to tell potential candidates more about your organisation. You could explain your company’s background and mission statement. It’s also a good opportunity to articulate the organisation’s values to help candidates determine if their values align with the company’s. 

This is also a great chance to communicate your employer value proposition (EVP).

While UK employers are not required to share salary or benefits in a job advert, doing so provides the candidate with information they can use to determine if the position is a good fit.

Let the applicant know if they have to click on a link to your organisation’s site, email a résumé and other requested documents, or if there’s a site to use to apply.

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You can follow the example below to produce any kind of job description. Replace the text in each section with the information for the position you’re looking to fill.

Job title: QA Business Analyst

Job location: London, United Kingdom

Remote: Hybrid

Full Job Description

As a QA Business Analyst, you’ll be a part of and occasionally lead projects related to the business process. Specifically, you’ll work on the product development team and help our IT and business teams come together to develop and provide the best user experience for our customers.

Here are some other roles and responsibilities to expect: 

• Develop strategies and implementation plans to help improve performance.

• Work with dev leads, splitting the project into an actionable timeline with clearly-defined milestones.

• Work with the dev team to monitor the results of each benchmark on the timeline. 

• Communicate with customer-facing teams and dev teams to always work toward improvement, providing a better user experience.

• Work with the Project Manager as well as the dev team and the Quality Assurance team.

Requirements:

• Business Analyst experience (must have at least 4 years of experience)

• A Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Engineering, Quality Assurance, or a related field

• Experience creating flowcharts and usable wireframes

• Effective communications skills and project leadership 

• Quality Assurance experience (must have at least 4 years of experience)

About Us

[Add in an exciting section describing your company, what you do, what you stand for and anything else that could compel a candidate to apply.] 

Salary and Benefits 

£70,000–80,000 

Benefits:

[Add in any relevant employee benefits that would convince an applicant to apply. You could include your paid time off allowance, or any fringe benefits.]

How To Apply 

Click the link below to apply now

The purpose of a job description is to provide applicants with essential information to set the interview process up for success.

A good work description example can help you develop a listing that attracts top talent. You can use a good work description to save time while hiring for future positions.

A good job description tells an applicant the necessary information to determine if they qualify for the position and if it’s a good fit. At Personio, we offer cloud-based recruiting software to help you find better candidates in the recruitment process. 

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