Create a Job Description

The right job descriptions can:

• Serve as a model for shorter job postings that ensure you’re attracting the right candidates.
• Help you develop interview questions and plan orientation and onboarding activities.
• Guide performance evaluations and training and development plans for employees.

Here’s a step-by-step approach, including tips on how to use free AI software to enhance your job descriptions.

1. Choose the right job title

Your job title should be clear, industry-standard, and reflect the role's responsibilities. Here are some sources to help:

• Visit O*NET Online to search for standardized job titles, and see descriptions and other information to help you identify the right title.
• Once you’ve identified some potential titles, search for them in Job Finder to see if your position is comparable to those posted by other employers.

AI tip: AI software can help you find common titles for similar positions. Here are some prompts to use:

• To get started: "Analyze job postings for [industry/role] and suggest standard job titles that are commonly used."
• Once you have a potential title: "What are alternative titles for a [specific role] that align with industry trends?"

2. Identify key responsibilities

A comprehensive list of the role’s tasks and responsibilities is essential. To get started:

• Create a draft list of tasks and responsibilities for the role you envision.
• Check the list against the structured tasks for the job title in the O*NET database.
• Prioritize essential duties over secondary tasks to keep your list clear.

AI tip: AI can scan multiple job descriptions from competitors and others to help you define the role. Here are some prompts to use:

• "Generate a list of core responsibilities for a [specific job title] using ONET task data, industry trends, and other sources."
• "Summarize key duties for a [specific role] based on similar job descriptions in [industry]."

3. Define required skills & qualifications

Next you’ll want to document the skills and qualifications necessary for the role, using bullet points. To get started:

• Analyze skill data from O*NET’s competencies section.
• Clearly distinguish between mandatory and preferred qualifications.

AI tip: AI research can provide insights into must-have qualifications and skills. Here are some prompts:

• "Using ONET data and market trends, list the top technical skills required for a [specific role]."
• "Compare required skills for [job title] across multiple industries and highlight transferable competencies.”

4. Determine preferred experience & education

Many roles have a level of required education and experience, and then a secondary list of preferred prerequisites. Get started developing your list:

• Visit the Local Training Finder to identify common degrees or other credentials.
• Visit the Certification Finder to identify related certifications.
• Visit License Finder for information on any required licenses in your state.
• Check your list against job postings or descriptions for the same title that you find online.

AI tip: AI can help you research and compare what other employers are requiring for similar positions. It can be especially helpful for identifying alternative pathways. Here are some prompts:

• "What is the standard or most common experience and education requirement for a [specific role]?"
• "Suggest alternative qualifications for a [specific role] that accommodate non-traditional career paths."

5. Highlight Key Abilities & Soft Skills

Abilities include cognitive and physical traits that are relevant for specific jobs or roles. And soft skills are interpersonal or behavioral skills—such as communication—that often help employees work well with others, Get started identifying relevant abilities and soft skills:

• Check O*NET’s abilities section for relevant cognitive and physical requirements.
• Include interpersonal skills like teamwork and communication.

AI tip: AI can recommend common behavioral traits and skills needed for success in the role. Here are some prompts to try:

• “What are the top soft skills that contribute to success in a [specific role]?"
• "Use ONET abilities and other sources to make a list of cognitive and interpersonal skills required for a [job title]."

6. Finish with a compelling job summary

A well-crafted job summary can help job candidates and new employees understand the role. You can use it for your job description and you can use it to draft a job posting. For your summary:

• Keep descriptions concise but informative; three to six sentences will often suffice
• Try to add key company values or unique role highlights.

AI Tip: AI can help you draft and refine your job summary with these prompts:

• “Generate a concise, engaging job summary for a [specific role] highlighting responsibilities and company values."
• Once you have a draft:" "Rewrite this job description summary to be more compelling and clear: [paste text]."
• Once you have a draft: “Does this job summary include frequently searched terms?”