Summary. Writing a company description for a job posting requires a sales-minded approach. You want to briefly let the reader know what you do, why it’s important, and what makes your company special. These are key determining factors for job seekers, and they mean almost as much to them as what the job is.
Once you know how to write a company description, it’s time to dive in and write one. Think of the first one as a practice and an opportunity for inspiration. Writing many drafts is common and leads to the best final product.
A well-crafted company description lets people immediately know what your business does and what makes you stand out from your competition. It also shines a light on the positive aspects of your company, making it appealing to new job applicants.
The business description is one of the key components of a job post, and the following tips can help you write a phenomenal one.
Key Takeaways:
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Writing a company description for a job post is a mini advertisement for your company.
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The company description should point out what your company does and what makes it special.
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Company culture is a key part of job hunting today and should be a part of your company description.
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Hit the key points succinctly and honestly when writing your company description.
What Is a Company Description?
A company description succinctly sums up what your business does, its history and future plans, its culture, and what makes your company special. Think of it as a mini advertisement for the business and a way to highlight the great things about working for you.
A company description for a job posting is different from a company description for a job plan. If you have a job plan description, you might want to dust it off and use it for reference, but your job post description will need to be more enticing and contain a lot less information.
Why Include a Company Description in a Job Post
When you’re posting a job, applicants want to know who the company is and what makes it special. Culture has become a very important element in job satisfaction, and today’s employees want to be happy and feel good about their work.
It’s not enough just to add a company description to your job post; it has to be interesting and showcase your business in a way that’s appealing. It also has to be honest.
When an applicant is comparing your job opening to another, your company description might be the one thing that sets you apart from your competition.
Prepare to Write a Company Description for a Job Post
There are a couple of approaches to writing a company description for a job post. These techniques give you a well-rounded view of your company.
Start by jotting down the basics. Note where the company is, what you do, who your client/customer base is, etc. This information is often overlooked by company personnel because it’s obvious to them, but to a prospective employee, it’s all-new, and it’s very important.
Another way to start gathering information is to ask current employees what they like best about working for you and have them describe the culture. This provides an inside view of your company. You can also ask key customers for their view of your company from an outside view.
Finally, consider your candidate and what might be important to them. For example, if you’re hiring an entry-level employee, you might want to point out your training program. An executive-level hire might be more interested in your community outreach efforts.
What to Include in Your Company Description
Job seekers are looking for key information about your company. They don’t need a lot of information, which can be overwhelming. It’s all about hitting the important areas and being succinct. Don’t try to oversell, or you’ll sound disingenuous; simply state the truth and trust that the people who find it appealing will apply.
The following information is usually important for company descriptions. You might find that you don’t need to include all of it, or you might have some key additions to make.
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Company basics, including location(s) and what you do
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A brief history of the company and any noteworthy moments
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Company mission
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Size of the company (number of employees, locations, or customers)
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Culture of the company and the values you support
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Outside activities that demonstrate company commitment to its values/culture
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Awards or recognitions the company has received
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Future trajectory of the company
Remember, there is no need to include the benefits that will be in that portion of your job post. If there are benefits that won’t be included in that section, then include them here.
Writing a Company Description FAQ
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What is the most important part of a company description?
The most important thing to point out in a company description is who your company is and what you do. While the other information, including culture, is important, it’s critical that you don’t omit the obvious and you state your name and what your company does.
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Should I play up our community involvement in my company description?
Mentioning community involvement might be important, but you should not lie or exaggerate anything in the company description. Be as honest as possible and trust that the people who are a good fit for your company will appreciate what you’re actually doing in the community and elsewhere.
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Should I include job benefits in the company description?
No, the benefits section of a job post is different from the company description and should come at the end. The company description lives near the job of a job post to quickly let the applicant know who the company is and what you do.
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Why should I write about the culture of our company in the description?
Company culture is a determining factor for many job applicants today and will help sell your company. Most likely, your candidates will have a lot of options to choose from, and your culture might be the one thing that sets you apart from the competition.
Also, writing about your culture can help you find a more compatible employee. Employee retention and job satisfaction are very important in today’s job market. When a prospective employee finds a culture and a job that fits, they’re more likely to stay.
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Author
Kristin Kizer
Kristin Kizer is an award-winning writer, television and documentary producer, and content specialist who has worked on a wide variety of written, broadcast, and electronic publications. A former writer/producer for The Discovery Channel, she is now a freelance writer and delighted to be sharing her talents and time with the wonderful Zippia audience.
