Effective Job Postings
Write job postings that attract qualified, diverse candidates. Learn how clarity, inclusion, and mission-forward language improve recruitment results.
One of the first experiences potential candidates will have with your organization is reading your job listings.
By writing clear, engaging, and transparent job posts, you can attract the right people from the start.
Write Job Postings That Speak Clearly
- Think like a job seeker who isn’t familiar with your organization yet.
- Use straightforward job titles and avoid clever phrases or internal lingo.
- Make the post easy to read and understand.
- Keep descriptions concise and focused. Use bulleted lists to highlight key responsibilities and opportunities.
- Ask current staff in similar roles to review the posting to ensure it’s accurate.
- Always include salary and benefits. As of 2025, Illinois law requires this for most employers, and it helps build trust with job-seekers.
- Be clear about location and remote work options so candidates know what to expect.
Share Your Postings Strategically
- Use consistent listings across all platforms, especially your organization’s website.
- Apply basic SEO techniques to help job seekers find your job posting in search results. Brainstorm key words your ideal candidates might use in searching for your post and include them in the title and summary. Make sure your job postings are mobile-friendly and load quickly.
- Leverage social media trends to promote openings.
- Encourage your current team to share the listing and, if they choose, to speak positively about their experience at your organization.
Sources
- 10 Expert Tips to Improve Your Job Postings, iSmartRecruit, 2025
- Boosting Visibility: How Job Boards Make Your Postings Searchable on Google, Foundation List, 2025
- Pay Transparency Law Takes Effect January 1
- Survey: How to Improve Your Job Postings to Attract Better Candidates*, Indeed Employer Content Team, 2024
