What is a job posting?

A job posting is a public announcement or advertisement for a job opening within an organization. It’s the first point of contact between an employer and potential candidates. An effective job posting clearly outlines the responsibilities of the role, the required qualifications, salary and the application process. Job postings often emphasize a company’s culture, benefits and perks to generate interest and attract qualified applicants.

Steps for writing a job posting

Consider the following steps to create a job posting to attract top candidates:

1. Write the job title that is clear and easy to understand

First, list the job title at the beginning of a job posting to catch the attention of job seekers.

“Avoid using company-centric titles or acronyms that applicants might not understand. If the role or your company has a perk that makes it stand out against your competition, mention that. For example: Social Media Manager – 100% remote.”

—Kathy Gusich, executive recruiter

2. Introduce your company

Write a brief paragraph that tells your company’s story and highlights what separates your company from its competitors. You might mention how many years your company has been in operation, describe your core values or discuss your rate of growth. Include a link to the company website, making it easier for applicants to research your company.

3. Write a brief job description

A job description typically helps candidates understand the duties and responsibilities of your open position. Consider including two or three features of the position that are likely to attract candidates. Include the necessary requirements for the position, such as necessary certifications or higher education degrees.

When creating job descriptions, you may also want to consider skills-first hiring, which shifts the focus from degrees and job titles to the skills and abilities needed to succeed in a role. This may help you reach a broader, more qualified talent pool. By clearly defining the skills, competencies and outcomes that matter most, organizations can potentially reduce bias and improve culture add.

In a job description, list core skills, tools and proficiency levels by describing real tasks candidates will perform, and treating education or years of experience as flexible or preferred rather than required.

4. Outline the top benefits

Highlight the top benefits of working for your company by listing five or six bullet points describing essential reasons why someone would want to apply for the job. Health insurance, 401k and paid time off (PTO) are popular benefits, but be sure to include any attractive benefits that your competitors might not offer.

Some states may require salary transparency, including disclosing the pay range in job postings or after an interview.

5. Include location details

It’s important to be clear about the location of the job. You can also add a sentence or two to describe why it’s a great place to live and work. Highlight the schools, affordable cost of living or cultural and recreational opportunities in the area. If a job is remote or hybrid, mention that as well.

6. Finish with contact and application information

At the close of your job posting, include clearly defined steps for the application process. Ensure interested candidates know what to do next and provide a link to your application page.

7. Reread, edit and post

Edit your job posting to ensure there are no typos or errors and have someone else review it before posting. Once you’re satisfied with the copy, you’re ready to post.

Indeed makes it easy to post jobs online for free.

Tips for writing a job posting

Here are two tips to help you write a job posting:

1. Do your research

To see how your competitors are promoting openings, search for the job position you’re hiring for to find similar listings. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of other postings. Incorporate what’s working and be careful not to make the same mistakes.

Take the time to find out what employees in similar positions love about their jobs by reading employer reviews posted on websites like Glassdoor. Having a good idea of what appeals to candidates can help you decide what to call out in your job posting.

2. Gather feedback from your employees

Ask your employees directly what they like about working at your company through face-to-face conversations or an employee satisfaction survey. Your team is an excellent resource for understanding how to improve your internal operations overall and they can also help you understand what makes your company culture most desirable to new hires.

You can also leverage your employees by asking them to share the job posting with their network once it’s posted.

Job posting template

Below is a job posting template and two job posting examples:

Title:

[Job title/position name] – [Engaging lead, for example, one to three attractive things about the job]

Company intro:

[One detailed paragraph detailing your company history, core values and principles]

Job description:

[One paragraph including one to three essential requirements of the job position, with the option of including salary/hourly rate]

Top benefits or perks:

As a team member at [Company name], you’ll enjoy:

[Bullet list of three to five details that applicants will find most enticing about the job position.] For example:

• Benefits: Health care, dental or life insurance
• Career development: Any opportunities for advancement
• Flexible work schedule: Hybrid or work-from-home options or the ability to choose shifts

Compensation:

[Review the Pay Transparency Laws for your state and consider including a pay range for this position]

Location:

[one to two sentences describing where the job is located and some attractive features of the area]

Contact/application information:

Include all essential contact information and clear directions on how to apply for the open position. If you have an application deadline, include it here.

*Indeed provides these examples as a courtesy to users of this site. Please note that we are not your HR or legal adviser and none of these documents reflect current labor or employment regulations.

Job posting examples

Example 1

Job title:

Entry Level Software Developer—Mentorship program and option to work remotely.

Company intro:

Wavewood is a fast-growing company that relies on emerging technology talent and we want to give you your first start. Wavewood provides all its entry-level software developers with a paid training program to ensure you’ll learn the skills you need to succeed.

We offer a flexible schedule and the opportunity to work with some of the industry’s best software developers, either in our Salt Lake City office or remotely across the world. With our wide range of Fortune 500 enterprises as clients, you’ll be working on projects that matter as a part of the Wavewood team.

Job position description:

We’re looking for a full-time entry-level software developer. The ideal candidate is someone who’s just out of school and looking for some quality career experience. Salary is $35,000 per year with opportunity for advancement, bonuses and paid sick leave. Remote work is possible.

Top benefits or perks:

As a team member at Wavewood, you’ll enjoy:

• Mentoring program with some of the most reputable developers in the industry

• Comprehensive benefits package, including health, vision and dental insurance

• Paid time off

• Option to work remotely

Location:

Wavewood HQ is located in Salt Lake City, Utah, the hub of many emerging tech start-ups. Surrounded by stunning mountain views and amazing hiking and camping destinations, Salt Lake is a great place for networking in tech and outdoor activities alike.

Contact/application information:

To be considered for our summer recruitment round, please submit your application to hr@wavewood.com by January 18. If we accept your application, we’ll be in touch to schedule an interview. We look forward to hearing from you.

Example 2

Job title:

Warehouse Team Member—$100 sign-on bonus.

Company intro:

Beta Experts’ brick-and-mortar location has been in business for 50 years. Over the last decade, we’ve expanded our business to distribute books across the country and more than 10,000+ people have relied on Beta Experts to complete their reading lists.

We rely on a team of talented individuals to deliver the best possible service to each customer. At Beta Experts, we believe in working together to create a culture where each team member has a voice, so we can continue to grow and improve our operations.

Job position description:

We’re looking for a committed worker to join our warehouse team who can get book orders ready and shipped out on time to our loyal customers. New team members receive a $100 sign-on bonus and an $18 hourly pay rate with an opportunity for advancement.

Top benefits or perks:

As a team member at Beta Experts, you’ll enjoy:

• Full benefits

• 15 paid vacation days

• Active work environment

• Career advancement and bonus opportunities

Location:

Beta Experts is located in Tacoma, Washington and is easily accessible to residents of Seattle by public transit or car. Tacoma offers affordable living, great live music, outdoor activities and a vibrant cultural scene.

Contact/application information:

If you’re interested, please apply by sending your resume to applications@beta.experts.com before January 18. Thank you for your interest and we look forward to meeting you.

The models shown are for illustration purposes only and may require additional formatting to meet accepted standards.

A clear, candidate-focused job posting can be a good chance to secure top talent. By leading with an honest title, a compelling company story, standout benefits and transparent details, you may attract the right people who truly fit while filtering out the rest.