By Jen Iskow, GWV Marketing & Communications Manager
Seventy-seven percent of employers reported difficulty finding skilled talent in a 2023 survey, a trend that has spiked since 2020.
But is the US experiencing a labor shortage?
According to research led by the workforce development non-profit Opportunity@Work, a wealth of skilled talent is available, but many employers aren’t aware of this hidden pool.
One way to address this opportunity gap is to develop effective job descriptions that clearly define position expectations, focus on skills and competencies, and emphasize retention. Creating an effective job posting is a critical step in the hiring process. A well-crafted job description not only helps you attract top talent but also ensures that the candidates applying for the position align with your organization’s needs and values. Below, we’ll cover essential tips for creating a compelling job posting, explain why a carefully written description is important, and highlight the benefits of salary and benefits transparency. Finally, we’ll discuss how Generation West Virginia can support your hiring efforts.
Tips for Creating a Job Posting That Attracts Qualified Talent
- Use a Clear and Specific Job Title: The job title is the first thing candidates see, so it’s crucial to make it descriptive and straightforward. Avoid jargon or overly creative titles that may confuse applicants. For example, use “Software Developer” rather than “Code Ninja.”
- Craft a Compelling Job Summary: The opening paragraph should give an overview of the role and its importance within the organization. Highlight the key contributions the role will make to the team or company and emphasize the value the role brings rather than narrowly focusing on traditional qualifications.
- Focus on Skills, Not Just Credentials: Clearly outline the skills and competencies required for success in the role rather than emphasizing degrees or prior job titles.
- Detail Responsibilities and Expectations: Clearly outline the daily tasks and overall responsibilities of the position. Use bullet points to make the description easy to read and ensure candidates understand the scope of the role. Avoid vague phrases like “other duties as assigned,” which can deter applicants concerned about a lack of clarity. Be transparent about the hiring process by indicating timeframes, interview rounds, and key milestones.
- List Qualifications: Include both required and preferred qualifications. This can range from specific technical skills and certifications to soft skills like communication or leadership abilities. Consider what competencies are important to the position and what type of experience might reflect those competencies. Consider if the position requires a 4 year degree, or if it could also be acceptable for candidates to have a substitution for years of experience.
- Emphasize Your Company Culture: Share your organization’s mission, values, and work environment. Candidates who resonate with your culture are more likely to succeed and stay long-term. Highlight aspects of the workplace that align with inclusivity, belonging, and professional development.
- Be Transparent About Salary and Benefits: Provide a salary range and outline the benefits package (more on this below). Transparency builds trust and attracts serious applicants.
- Optimize for Inclusivity: Use neutral, inclusive language to avoid inadvertently discouraging certain groups from applying. Tools like inclusive language checkers can help.
- Provide Clear Application Instructions: Make it easy for candidates to apply by outlining what materials to submit (e.g., resume, portfolio) and where to send them. Highlight any additional steps in the process to set expectations upfront.
- Be concise: Do not use industrial jargon that is specialized for a small pocket of employees.
Why Is It Important to Carefully Create a Job Description?
A thoughtfully written job description is critical for several reasons:
- Attracts the Right Candidates: A clear and detailed job description helps potential applicants understand whether they meet the qualifications and are a good fit for the role.
- Saves Time and Resources: When expectations are clearly outlined, you’re more likely to receive applications from qualified candidates, reducing the time spent sifting through unsuitable resumes. Clearly defined expectations can also pay off in the long run -beyond recruitment, they provide a reference point for evaluating performance and giving feedback in the future.
- Improves Employee Retention: When candidates know exactly what to expect from the role, they’re less likely to feel misled or dissatisfied after being hired.
- Enhances Your Brand: A professional, well-written job posting reflects positively on your organization, signaling that you’re organized and value transparency.
What Should Be Included in a Good Job Description?
A comprehensive job description should include the following elements:
- Job Title: The role’s title, written in clear, industry-standard terms.
- Job Summary: A brief overview of the position, highlighting its purpose and importance.
- Responsibilities: A detailed list of tasks and expectations.
- Qualifications: Specific requirements, including education, experience, skills, and certifications.
- Salary Range: An estimated range to give candidates a clear understanding of compensation. Specify if your company/organization is open to salary negotiations.
- Benefits: A list of offered perks, such as health insurance, PTO, retirement plans, relocation assistance, and professional development opportunities.
- Work Environment: Details on whether the position is fully remote, hybrid, or on-site, and any physical or scheduling requirements.
- Company Overview: Information about your organization, its mission, and its culture.
- Equal Opportunity Statement: A statement affirming your commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Why Is Salary Range Transparency Important?
- Builds Trust: Candidates are more likely to trust a company that is upfront about compensation.
- Saves Time: Disclosing salary upfront prevents mismatched expectations and ensures only those comfortable with the range apply.
- Encourages Diversity: Salary transparency can help reduce wage gaps and attract a diverse pool of candidates by eliminating guesswork.
- Improves Candidate Quality: Top talent is more likely to apply when they see that compensation aligns with their skills and experience.
Why Is Benefits Transparency Important?
- Informs Candidates’ Decisions: Benefits like health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans are key factors candidates consider when evaluating job offers.
- Strengthens Your Value Proposition: A comprehensive benefits package can set your organization apart from competitors.
- Promotes Transparency and Trust: Just like salary transparency, being upfront about benefits builds goodwill and reduces uncertainty for applicants.
- Reduces Back-and-Forth Questions: Providing this information upfront streamlines the hiring process by addressing common concerns early.
How Generation West Virginia Can Help You Hire the Perfect Candidate
Generation West Virginia (GWV) offers resources and support to help businesses connect with top talent in the Mountain State. Their Generational Talent Search program focuses on:
- Connecting Employers with Qualified Candidates: GWV helps you tap into a pool of skilled and motivated job seekers who are eager to contribute to West Virginia’s workforce.
- Job Board Promotion: By listing your job openings on GWV’s platform, you gain access to a statewide audience of professionals seeking opportunities.
- Tailored Guidance: GWV provides expertise in crafting job postings and developing hiring strategies that align with your organization’s needs.
- Focus on Retention: They support businesses in creating roles that offer growth opportunities, helping ensure new hires stay and thrive.
“It is our goal to make sure the recruitment and talent acquisition process for your company is easy and straightforward,” says Career Connector Program Manager Evan Nelson. “We work with West Virginia employers to help them improve their hiring process by expanding their reach, reducing recruiting costs, and decreasing time to hire.”
By leveraging GWV’s resources, you can streamline your hiring process, find candidates who align with your company’s mission, and contribute to building a stronger workforce in West Virginia.
“We were struggling to find qualified candidates for our Sales Associate position. Generation West Virginia worked with us to put together a dynamic job description that helped us describe the position in a way that was compelling to candidates. The result was that we were able to fill the position with an experienced associate. GWV's ability to post our job on their Career Connector site and help design the job description is something all WV employers could benefit from"
Creating an effective job posting is more than just filling a position—it’s about finding the right fit for both the candidate and your organization. With careful planning, transparency, and support from resources like Generation West Virginia, you can attract and retain top talent to help your business thrive.
If you would like to learn about how Generation West Virginia can help you craft the perfect job description and find tailored candidates to fit your hiring needs, reach out to Career Development Program Director, Melanie Taylor at [email protected] today!
Ready to hire? Submit your open positions here to be included on our job board:
For additional resources and templates for crafting a well-executed job listing, visit the STARS Hiring Playbook.