How to Write Job DescriptionsThat Actually Work
Most job descriptions read like legal documents. Here's how to write ones that actually attract qualified candidates.
Requirements
AI Suggestions
Tip: Add salary range
+30% more applicants
Good: Specific title
3 requirements
JD Quality Score
94%
Research from LinkedIn Talent Solutions shows that job posts with salary ranges receive 30% more applicants. Studies on gender-coded language reveal that masculine-coded words like “competitive” and “dominant” discourage female applicants. Once your JD is ready, learn how to run a complete hiring process and prepare interview questions for screening.
What makes a good job title?
Specific and searchable. 'Senior Backend Engineer' works. 'Rockstar Ninja' doesn't. Avoid internal titles (IC3) and keyword stuffing. Include seniority and specialty.
- Senior Backend Engineer
- Product Designer (B2B SaaS)
- Full-Stack Engineer - Payments
- Ninja
- Rockstar
- Guru
- IC3 Engineer
What should the first paragraph say?
Lead with impact, not boilerplate. What will they build? Why does it matter? Skip 'We are looking for a highly motivated...' - that's filler. Get to the point in 2-3 sentences.
- You'll build the checkout flow used by 10,000 customers daily
- Own our mobile app from design to App Store
- We are looking for a highly motivated individual
- Join our dynamic team
How many requirements should I list?
3-5 true must-haves. For each item, ask: Would I reject an otherwise great candidate without this? If no, it's a nice-to-have. Long lists discourage qualified candidates, especially from underrepresented groups.
- 4+ years building web applications
- Experience with React and Node.js
- Strong communication skills
- 10+ years required
- Must know Java, Python, Go, Rust, C++...
- Degree from top university
Should I include salary?
Yes. Posts with salary ranges get 30% more applicants. It saves everyone time by filtering mismatches. If worried about competitors, remember: they already know market rates.
- $150K-$180K base + 0.3-0.5% equity
- Competitive salary
- DOE
- Salary not listed
What about company description?
3-4 sentences max. What you build, who you serve, stage/traction, what makes you different. Candidates can research your full story - don't waste JD space on it.
- We're building AI tools for recruiting. Series A, 20 employees, backed by [investors]
- Founded in 2015, we are an innovative, cutting-edge, disruptive...
Copy-paste template
# [Job Title] at [Company]
[One sentence: what they'll build and why it matters]
## About Us
[2-3 sentences: what you do, stage, what's different]
## What You'll Do
- [Specific project/responsibility]
- [Specific project/responsibility]
- [Specific project/responsibility]
## Requirements
- [True must-have #1]
- [True must-have #2]
- [True must-have #3]
## Nice to Have
- [Bonus skill]
- [Bonus experience]
## Compensation
$[X]-[Y]K + [equity]% + [key benefits]
[Remote/location]Resources & Further Reading
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External Resources
- LinkedIn Job Description Tips
Data-driven JD best practices
- Gender Decoder Tool
Check for biased language
- Indeed Writing Guide
JD templates and examples
- EEOC Guidelines
Legal requirements for job postings
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