A job posting template is a way to standardize your advertising for open positions. A quality job posting template engages and attracts talented candidates, instead of simply listing requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities.
If you’re looking to post a job on your company career page, social media, or on job boards, this article will cover everything you need to know about job posting formats, job advertisement templates, and creating a job posting that gets attention.
What is a job posting?
A job posting is an advertisement for an open role at that helps hiring managers and recruiters find job seekers. A good job posting does more than just describe the position — it offers exciting details about the company, perks, and the company location.
Job description vs. job posting
A job description is a detailed document of a job’s responsibilities, qualifications, and expectations of the role, while a job posting is more of an advertisement with the intent to sell job seekers on a position by fostering interest and excitement for the position.
While having a good job description is internally essential and helpful for writing a job posting, it won’t have the same format as a job posting. For example, a job description should list details of the day-to-day duties of the role, while a job posting might focus more on attractive incentives, like flexible scheduling, remote work options, and sign-on bonuses.
In short, a job description is great for setting expectations of the role so managers can evaluate performance, while a job posting is a marketing tool for attracting applicants from job boards, company websites, and social media platforms.
How to write a job posting
The are several steps involved in writing a job posting that involves understanding the individual the company wants in the position. It’s best to start out jotting down notes rather than trying to create complete paragraphs or write the entire job posting in one shot. These steps can help you better understand the process and write successful job postings:
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An engaging and accurate job title. This involves more than pulling out an old job description and using that as the answer. The position that’s going to be open might not be the same as the old position or the description. Did the previous employee evolve the job in a way that’s not captured in the description, or does management want someone who can do more?
Redefining the job might be a part of this step, and it will likely require input from other team members so it can be an accurate representation of what the person will be doing.
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Ideal candidate description. Go ahead, dream a little. What are the qualities that people would find most beneficial from the perfect hire? You might not get all of these qualities, but this exercise gets everyone thinking about what really matters for that person to be successful in the role and in the company.
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A sales pitch of your company. This is where you’re going to need to sell the benefits and sway the right candidate for your company. Pay and benefits are important, obviously the most important thing to many, but there’s more.
Does your company have special perks, an interesting atmosphere, the potential to move up, and a collaborative or work-from-home environment?
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The basics. Don’t forget the most obvious parts of your job posting — the company name, address, location of the job, contact information, hours of work, and how you want to receive their application.
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The application process. Spell out how/where applicants can apply, as well as the steps after an application. This can be incredibly enticing if your timeline is short and you’re looking to hire without much rigamarole.
You can also reiterate why someone should apply ina few quick bullet points.
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Pull it together. If you were taking notes as you did the above steps, then this is when they’ll come into play. Start pulling it together into an easy-to-read format. Feel free to use bullets if that makes your posting a standout; maybe some graphics or charts are your way to shine; how about actual images of your company?
A well-written and visually appealing job description is a great way to get attention and get the right people to take notice. Involving the marketing department (if there is one) is a fantastic idea because their spin can be the touch that’s needed.
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Proofread before posting. The number of grammatical and spelling errors that slip through is astounding, and it reflects poorly on the company.
Your brand certainly wouldn’t stand for an advertisement that spelled something incorrectly, and this type of error shouldn’t pass through a job posting either. Remember, you’re trying to sell your company to your next new rockstar employee.
Job posting template
Here are a few basic job posting templates to fill in for your open position:
Job title:
Compelling intro/header with 1-3 attractive elements of the job, like sign-on bonuses, remote work options, etc.
Company introduction:
One 1-3 sentence paragraph that details your company’s core mission and objectives. Embrace your unique personality and brand here.
Job description:
One 2-4 sentence paragraph or bullet points that mention the most important job requirements/qualifications/background/experience
Benefits/perks:
One 3-5 bullet point list of the biggest draws of the job. Include things like salary, health care, professional development, and flexible/remote work opportunities here:
Location details:
1-2 sentences about the job location and enticing features of the local area. Details of remote/hybrid options can also fit here.
Application information
1-3 sentences that detail how to apply, deadlines, and contact information. Details of the hiring process timeline/hire-by date can also be included here.
[Job title] – We offer [1-3 things you offer for this new hire]
Who we are
[Company name] is [details about your company that candidates find attractive]. Our mission is [company mission], and we value [company value] above all else.The job
We’re seeking a [position name] to [1-3 basic job duties].
Benefits/perks:
Benefits of the job include:
Competitive salary starting at $60,000-65,000
Health, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) with 5% company match
Hybrid work option (work remotely 3 days a week)
Location details:
We’re based in [city, state], right near the [local detail, especially public transportation, food, etc.]
How to apply
Apply by [application details, like email, application form, career page, etc.]. Looking to hire in [general time frame].
Job posting example
Here’s an example of a job posting to pull all our advice together:
Hiring for Cashier and Beyond at Yum Taco
Who We Are
Yum Taco is the world’s newest fast-food Tex-Mex restaurant, and we’re growing by leaps and bounds. We have a strong team dynamic and are looking to promote from within. That means we’re looking for people who are willing to start working as a cashier today with dreams of becoming a manager in the future.
Where We Are
Yum Taco is currently in seven states and expanding. Right now, we’re looking for employees in Madison, Wisconsin. This is an on-location assignment, and we have openings on both the west and east sides of town.
What The Job Is
As a cashier at Yum Taco, you’ll be responsible for some of the following tasks:
Taking orders
Entering orders into the computer/cash register
Filling drink orders
Providing customers with good service and a friendly and helpful attitude
Handing completed orders to customers
Taking payments and making change
There may be other duties you’ll be asked to do when the store is extremely busy or very slow, but these will be your primary tasks.
Who You Are
At Yum Taco, we put our team first, which is why we’re looking to hire only individuals who are willing to be team players. We want energetic people who want to learn everything they can about the business and turn it into a career. There’s no limit to where our employees can go if they’re willing to prove themselves and be a leader at Yum Taco.
What We Offer
Our benefits package begins with a standard set of benefits that include the following. As you continue with our team, there are added benefits, including more paid days off, vacation stipends, paid health club memberships, and more. At a starting level, you’ll receive:
$18-20/hr
One-week paid vacation
Health care package with Brand X Medical
Vision and Dental benefits option
401K matching program
Management training classes (optional)
Educational training reimbursement (for approved classes)
Ten paid holidays each year
Five days of paid sick or personal time per year that can be rolled over
Skills
We’re looking for individuals with drive, an ability to work in a team, and great communication skills. We can train you to manage the cash register, but experience running a register is definitely a bonus.
How To Apply
All applicants are asked to come to our hiring event on August 3, 2022, at 7 pm. However, if you cannot make the hiring event, email Sharon@YumTaco.com and request an application link.
Job posting FAQ
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Should you write a job posting or job description first?
You should write a job description before the job posting. The reason for writing a job description before the posting is to make sure that everyone on the team is on the same page with what they want from the new employee. It’s not uncommon for job descriptions to change over time or for a company to want different skills from a new hire.
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Are more job applications better?
No, more job applications and responses to a job posting are not better. Sometimes, more job applicants can be even worse because you’re wading through unqualified individuals who wouldn’t be a fit in your company. The best job posting speaks to the ideal candidate(s) and doesn’t waste your time with bad options.
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How do you create an effective job posting?
Creating an effective job posting takes work, plenty of input from others, and a sales mindset. The best job postings make the job sound appealing while being honest about what’s expected and what compensation will be. When there’s a high level of transparency, there are fewer misunderstandings, and you’re more likely to find someone who is a good fit for the job.
References
- Writing A Job Description
- How to Write a Job Description
- Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
- DOE Salary
- Job Posting Template
- How to Write a Job Description
- How to Write a Candidate Profile
- How to Write a Job Ad
- How to Post a Job
- Writing a Company Description
- Free Ways to Post Jobs
- How To Write A Compelling Job Description
- How To Tweak Job Descriptions For Better Talent
- Why You Shouldn't Misrepresent The Job
- Common Mistakes In Job Descriptions
- How To Qualify A Job Brief
- What Is A Job Description?
- Application Questions To Find The Right Candidate
- How To Make An Application Form
- Roles and Responsibilities Template
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.
