How to Write a Strong Job Description

Compelling job descriptions are a critical component of good hiring practices. They can help attract applicants who are a good fit for the role and your organization, as well as make the process of interviewing candidates more manageable.

That said, it may be tough to determine what information to include in job descriptions (and which to leave out!) that can make the case to qualified candidates that they should apply.

With that in mind, we distilled some best practices into this guide to help you figure out how to write stronger job descriptions when posting roles on Idealist. We hope these tips help you attract great candidates for your open positions!

How to write a strong job description

• Write to your readers directly. Use ‘you’ instead of ‘the ideal candidate.’ It does a better job of allowing candidates to see themselves in the role you're describing.
• Use bullet points instead of paragraphs. We get it, there's a lot to say about your organization, its values, and the role at hand. To help keep your descriptions concise and easy to read, and encourage applicants to apply faster, it's better to summarize important points.
• Be clear about your expectations for the role. Include essential tasks and responsibilities, but don't discount people early. You don't want to lose out on great candidates because of a unnecessary requirement to be able to lift 50 lbs of weight!
• Avoid nonprofit jargon or insider terms. You may unintentionally exclude sector switchers or people who are looking for their first role in the sector. Remember to also spell out all acronyms, too.
• Separate role requirements from role preferences. Structuring these as two sections allows you to be inclusive of talent and discern between what you need to have versus what is nice to have in the role. Check out this worksheet by The Management Center to help get started.
• Keep your organization summary short. If your ‘About the Organization’ section is running long, consider directing people to learn more on your Idealist profile or website.

An additional element to review as you finalize your job description is screening for bias. How responsibilities or requirements are phrased can have a great impact on who may feel welcomed or believe they will fit in your environment.

The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT), a nonprofit focused on women’s participation in technology, put together this checklist for reducing unconscious bias. It’s a good place to start and we encourage you to take a look.

***

Utilize our SEO tips for writing a strong (and searchable!) job listing.