New: xStudio Agents for social posts, AI video and video editing →For fintech and investment firms enquiry@xdqlabs.comor

Lesson 2 of 6 · 20 min

How to Write a Job Description That Attracts the Right People

Agree the role with the hiring manager and write a clear, fair description.

In this lesson1. Start with an intake meeting 2. Structure that works 3. Write fairly and inclusively 4. Worked example: trimming a requirements list 5. Common job description mistakes

Start with an intake meeting

Before writing, meet the hiring manager. Ask what the person will achieve in the first six months, the three most important skills, what can be learned on the job and what is a must on day one. Ask about the team, the location or hybrid pattern and the pay range the company has approved.

Structure that works

A clear job description has a short summary, what you will do, what you need, what is nice to have, pay and benefits where the company shares them, location and how to apply. Use plain words and avoid long requirement lists that discourage good candidates. Keep requirements to what is truly needed.

Summary in two sentences
What you will do
What you need, kept short
Nice to have
Pay, benefits, location
How to apply

Write fairly and inclusively

Describe the work and the skills, not the type of person. Avoid language that suggests age, gender or background. Many employers follow equal opportunity principles and local laws; check your employer's policy. Fair descriptions widen the pool and improve hires.

Worked example: trimming a requirements list

A manager's first draft for an inside sales role lists twelve requirements, including a specific CRM and five years' experience. In the intake meeting the recruiter learns that the CRM can be taught in a week and two years' experience is enough. The final description lists four needs and two nice to haves, and attracts more relevant applicants.

Common job description mistakes

Job descriptions are adverts. Unclear ones attract the wrong people and waste everyone's time.

Copying an old description without an intake meeting
Long wish lists
No location or work pattern
Unclear way to apply

Key takeaways

Hold an intake meeting before writing.
Use a simple, consistent structure.
Keep requirements to true needs.
Write fairly about skills and work.

Try it

Rewrite an online job description using the structure in this lesson. Cut requirements to the four most important and note what you would ask the hiring manager.