How to write an effective job description
Key Points
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We’ve done extensive research, analysed our top-performing job ads and gathered valuable insights from candidates themselves into what makes a great job description.
Here are seven simple steps to create appealing and engaging job descriptions that attract top-quality talent.
1. What’s your charity passionate about?
Inspire readers right from the start.
Begin your job description with your organisation’s vision and goals. Use powerful, positive language to convey the importance and impact of the work you do.
For example:
“At We Care UK, our mission is clear: prevent heart attacks, empower lives. Together, we champion heart health for those at risk, creating a world where every beat counts, and hearts stay strong.”
"At Birmingham Youth Association, we’re devoted to empowering vulnerable young people through education, employment, and training initiatives. We aim to unlock potential and shape a brighter future for young people in Birmingham.”
"At Embracing Minds, our mission is to champion neurodiversity and create a world where every mind is valued, celebrated and empowered.”
2. What does your charity do and why is it great to work there?
This is your sales pitch – keep it succinct and impactful.
Next, give an overview of your charity’s key projects and the support and services you provide. You may also want to include a short description of the workplace and culture.
Tip: Add a motivational question to draw in prospective candidates (‘Do you want to help create a world where both people and the planet flourish in harmony?’).
Here’s an example:
“Each year, we work in partnership with hundreds of organisations and businesses to foster best practices that champion inclusivity. With our helpline and comprehensive training opportunities, we provide unwavering support to neurodivergent individuals throughout their working journeys.
We take pride in our forward-thinking, open, and transparent approach, making a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve. Are you ready to join our passionate team as we embrace the power of neurodiversity together?”
3. What is the role and its impact?
CharityJob candidates want to make a difference.
"campaigns that raise awareness and garner support for neurodivergent individuals.”
“As Fundraising Officer, you’ll play a vital role in securing funding for our two core programmes aimed to support those at risk of criminal exploitation and increasing uptake in education, employment and training.”
“As Finance Manager at We Care UK, you’ll be at the heart of our strategic vision. You’ll support the organisation to deliver its financial targets through building and nurturing trusted relationships.”
4. Key details
Clarity is crucial – don’t leave candidates guessing!
List essential practical information, including office location, hours, flexible working arrangements, salary, benefits, annual leave, contract type, job application process and closing date. Be as clear as possible and be upfront about whether you may close the ad early. And remember to use the CharityJob Salary Checker to benchmark your salary against sector standards.
For example:
Position: Fundraising Officer
Responsible to: Head of Fundraising
Location: Flexible and remote working is offered to all staff. We have an office in Vauxhall, London for those who wish to come into the office.
Hours: 35 hours per week (full-time), core hours of 10am–4pm
Salary: £30,000–£32,000 per annum
Annual leave and benefits:
30 days annual leave (not including bank holidays)
·Enhanced maternity and parental leave
Company pension scheme with matched contributions of 5% after 3 months
Healthcare cash plan
24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
Long service leave entitlement after 3 years of service and 1-year unpaid sabbatical leave after 5 years of service
Career development loans
How to apply: Click the CharityJob Apply button below. You’ll be asked to submit a CV and answer a few short screening questions about your relevant skills and motivation.
First-round interviews will take place in the week commencing 14 August; final interviews are due to take place in the week commencing 21 August.
Closing date: 14 July 2023.
Please note, we’re actively reviewing applications and interviews will be held on a rolling basis. The ad may close early if a successful candidate is found.”
5. What are the responsibilities?
Summarise the post holder’s key tasks.
Focus on what they’ll do in a typical day or week, key projects and working relationships. Write in bullets and don’t list every single responsibility, just the most important ones.
Tip: Use second-person pronouns (i.e., ‘you’) to help the reader imagine themselves in the role.
Here’s an example:
“What you’ll be working on:
You'll lead the development and delivery of compelling campaigns, including Mindful Minds and NeuroChampions, leveraging your creativity and strategic insight to promote understanding and support for neurodiversity.
You’ll lead the campaigns team, line managing a Campaigns Officer and an Email Campaigns Officer, fostering their professional growth, and nurturing their potential.
You’ll craft high-quality campaign materials and messages and drive impactful communication across various channels to reach diverse audiences.
You’ll collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Fundraising and Marketing, to ensure campaigns align with Embracing Minds' overall vision and objectives.
You’ll monitor and evaluate campaign performance to continuously improve strategies, ensuring maximum reach and impact.”
6. What are the requirements?
Stick to the essentials, or you’ll put capable candidates off applying
Specify the skills, behaviours or personal characteristics needed for the role. But avoid asking for years of experience or qualifications unless they’re absolutely vital. These are poor predictors of job performance and can deter people from applying, reducing inclusivity. For example, women are less likely to apply for roles where they don’t meet all the criteria.
Tip: Centre the candidate by saying ‘This job is for you if…’ rather than ‘We are looking for…".
Examples:
“This job is for you if…
you’re a qualified accountant with one of the following: CAEW/ACCA/CIMA/CIPFA
you have experience using financial data to make business decisions.
you have experience using CRM systems.
you’re proficient in data analysis and management tools, including Microsoft Excel and/or other similar spreadsheet software.
you’re a natural problem-solver and take a logical and efficient approach to work."
“This job is for you if...
you work effectively with others to identify, analyse, and solve problems
you thrive developing innovative fundraising ideas and campaigns.
you have a genuine passion for improving the outcomes of vulnerable young people in Birmingham and can inspire others to support through your enthusiasm.
you're highly results-driven with a proven track record of achieving fundraising goals or similar objectives, through either direct or transferrable experience.”
7. And finally…
Note any additional important information. For example, if you have an EDI policy or want to encourage people who may not match all the criteria to apply, you should mention that here. Do you offer visa sponsorship to candidates living outside of the UK? If yes, you should also mention that here.
You may also want to provide an expected timeline for getting back to candidates.
And if you still have any questions, please contact your account manager directly via their avatar on your recruiter dashboard. Alternatively, you can contact our Customer Success team on 020 8939 8430 and they will be more than happy to help.