Write a job description that gets candidates applying.
Stop posting jobs. Start telling stories.
A great hire starts with a great job description. When your posting is confusing, too long, or missing key details, the right candidates scroll past it, and the wrong candidates fill your inbox. Clear, modern job descriptions help you attract the right candidates, shorten your hiring timeline, and create better matches from the start.
With AI, writing strong job descriptions becomes even easier. Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining an existing role, AI tools help you clarify responsibilities, highlight must-have skills, and present your company in a way that encourages candidates to apply.
Why good job descriptions matter.
Job descriptions aren’t just listings; they’re your first impression. In today’s hiring market, candidates move fast. If your job post doesn’t communicate value quickly and clearly, they move on. A strong job description:
- Sets clear expectations
- Reflects your company’s culture and tone
- Reduces unqualified applicants
- Increases application completion rates
- Helps candidates understand why they should pick you
What every effective job description should include.
1. A Clear, Straightforward Job Title
Avoid internal jargon or overly creative titles. Candidates search for standard terms, so keep it simple and easy to search. This helps improve search visibility and reduces confusion.
Better: “Electrician (Residential)”
Not ideal: “Power Specialist Level 2”
2. A Short, Engaging Introduction
The first 2–3 sentences should clearly convey to candidates what the role entails, why it matters, and why your company is a great place to work. Keep it direct and human, no filler. Examples include:
- What makes the role important
- Why the team is growing
- How the position impacts the company
3. Key Responsibilities Written Like Real Work
Instead of generic corporate phrases, describe the tasks candidates will actually do. Be specific enough to paint a clear picture but not so detailed as to overwhelm.
Good responsibilities help candidates quickly assess their fit and increase the number of strong applications.
4. Required Skills and Nice-to-Haves (Separately)
Candidates apply more often when they can easily distinguish essentials from preferences. Keep the list focused, removing anything that isn’t truly required. This reduces applicant drop-off and strengthens how well candidates present themselves, especially if they’re following advice to use AI to customize a resume to the job description.
5. Compensation and Benefits
Transparent salary ranges attract more candidates and build trust. Add information about benefits, growth opportunities, and unique perks. Even if the benefits are simple, clarity matters.
6. Details That Support Search Visibility
Job descriptions are also search engine optimization (SEO) content. Use simple, searchable keywords within the posting, job titles, skill sets, certifications, and location details. These help your posting appear where candidates are searching.
How to Use AI to Write Better Job Descriptions
AI provides employers with a powerful advantage when writing job descriptions, particularly when speed, clarity, and consistency are crucial. While Propel People does not create job descriptions automatically, AI can still support your writing process in several meaningful ways.
Let AI generate a strong first draft.
An AI job description generator can help you quickly create a polished draft tailored to your role. AI removes the blank-page problem by generating structure, responsibilities, requirements, and a compelling summary.
You can edit and personalize the draft, but the foundation is already built.
Use AI to Clarify Responsibilities and Skills
AI helps you refine your posting by:
- Highlighting unclear sections
- Re-wording complex sentences
- Ensuring responsibilities match skills
- Suggesting missing qualifications
This keeps your job description clean, consistent, and easy for candidates to understand.
Strengthen Candidate Matching with AI
When your job description is clearer, candidates are more likely to present themselves accurately, often using the suggestion many candidates hear: “use AI to customize a resume to the job description.”
Propel People’s ProScore makes this even more impactful. When your posting is specific, our AI can better evaluate how well each applicant matches your role, surfacing top candidates instantly.
Improve Fairness and Consistency
AI removes the personal bias that can influence how job descriptions are written. With AI, you get standardized, inclusive language that appeals to a broader range of applicants, helping you attract diverse, qualified talent.
Better job descriptions create better candidates — and Propel helps you hire them faster.
A strong job description does more than attract attention; it sets the tone for your entire hiring process. When candidates understand the role, the expectations, and the value of joining your team, they apply with more confidence and provide more relevant information. That clarity leads to better matches, stronger conversations, and faster, more informed decisions.
Once your job description is working for you, Propel People helps you take the next step. With tools like ProScore resume evaluation, mobile-friendly text-to-apply options, automated pre-screening, and streamlined applicant management, Propel ensures the right candidates rise to the top quickly. You stay focused on qualified applicants while AI handles the repetitive tasks that slow hiring down.