How To Write Job Descriptions that Attract Top Talent
Posted on January 22, 2026
Writing an effective job description is a lot like creating a dating profile. It’s often a candidate’s first impression of your company. Say the right things, and the perfect match may apply. Say the wrong things and top candidates may scroll past without a second thought.
In today’s competitive hiring market, writing job descriptions that attract top talent is no longer optional; it’s essential. After more than 30 years in the recruiting industry, we’ve seen firsthand how small changes to job descriptions can dramatically improve candidate quality and response rates. Below, we’re sharing proven job description best practices to help ensure the right candidate doesn’t “swipe left.”
Common Mistakes That Turn Qualified Candidates Away
Many employers unintentionally limit their candidate pool by making avoidable mistakes when writing job descriptions. Some of the most common include:
- Obscuring or omitting salary and benefits information
- Using long, dense paragraphs instead of scannable formatting
- Listing unrealistic or excessive job requirements
- Failing to use relevant keywords that improve search visibility
Just like everything else online, job description writing continues to evolve. If your job posting hasn’t been updated in the last year, candidates can usually tell. The most effective job descriptions are clear, concise, keyword-optimized, and focused on why a candidate should choose your company.
Tips for Writing Job Descriptions that Perform Better
Strong job descriptions don’t just attract more candidates. They attract the right candidates. To improve job description performance and searchability, we recommend the following best practices:
- Start with a clear, industry-standard job title candidates are actively searching for
- Research and include relevant keywords related to the role, skills, and location
- Clearly list salary range and benefits near the top of the job description
- Break content into visually appealing sections with bullet points
- Lead with the benefits of the role and company (growth, culture, flexibility, awards)
- Keep qualifications realistic and clearly define required vs. preferred skills
- Be thorough without being lengthy
When job descriptions are easy to read and aligned with what candidates care about most, application rates and engagement increase significantly.
How Entech Staffing Solutions Helps You Attract Top Talent
Writing high-performing job descriptions is both an art and a science. With constantly evolving job board algorithms and candidate expectations, staying current on job description best practices takes time, research, and expertise.
At Entech Staffing Solutions, this is our specialty. We maintain strong relationships with leading job boards and continuously analyze what drives visibility and engagement on each platform. Our team follows internal research and market-driven processes to ensure every job description is optimized for both search performance and candidate appeal.
And once a job description is posted, the real work begins. From resume review and candidate screening to interviewing, credentialing, and onboarding, Entech supports employers at every stage of the talent acquisition process.
If you’re ready to attract top talent and build a stronger team, contact Entech Staffing Solutions today to learn how we can help.
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