How to Write a Job Description
Crafting a compelling job description is essential to helping you attract the most qualified candidates for your job. With more than 16 million jobs listed on Indeed, a great job description can help your jobs stand out from the rest. Your job descriptions are where you start marketing your company and your job to your future hire.
The key to writing effective job descriptions is to find the perfect balance between providing enough detail so candidates understand the role and your company while keeping your description concise.
Use the tips and sample job descriptions below to create a compelling job listing.
Source: Indeed data (worldwide)
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Job Description Examples
- Account Coordinator
- Account Executive
- Account Manager
- Account Officer
- Account Representative
- Accountant
- Accounting Assistant
- Accounting Clerk
- Accounting Manager
- Accounting Technician
- Accounts Assistant
- Accounts Payable Clerk
- Accounts Payable Specialist
- Accounts Receivable Specialist
- Actuary
- Administration Assistant
- Administrative Assistant
- Administrative Clerk
- Administrative Manager
- Administrative Officer
- Administrator
- Admission Officer
- Advertising Manager
- Analyst
- Anesthesiologist
- Arborist
- Architect
- Area Manager
- Art Director
- Assembler
- Assistant Accountant
- Assistant Administrator
- Assistant Controller
- Assistant Cook
- Assistant Manager
- Assistant Project Manager
- Assistant Property Manager
- Assistant Store Manager
- Assistant Teacher
- Athletic Trainer
- Attorney
- Audiologist
- Auditor
- Auto Mechanic
- Automation Engineer
- Automotive Technician
- Babysitter
- Baker
- Bank Teller
- Banker
- Banquet Server
- Bar Manager
- Barista
- Bartender
- Beautician
- Beauty Therapist
- Benefits Coordinator
- Billing Clerk
- Billing Specialist
- Biomedical Engineer
- Bookkeeper
- Branch Manager
- Brand Ambassador
- Brand Manager
- Building Maintenance Technician
- Busboy
- Business Administrator
- Business Analyst
- Business Consultant
- Business Developer
- Business Development Executive
- Business Development Manager
- Business Development Officer
- Business Intelligence Analyst
- Business Manager
- Business Systems Analyst
- Buyer
- Call Centre Manager
- Call Centre Manager
- Call Centre Representative
- Camp Counsellor
- Car Detailer
- Car Salesperson
- Care Assistant
- Care Worker
- Caregiver
- Carpenter
- Case Manager
- Caseworker
- Cashier
- Caterer
- CEO (Chief Executive Officer)
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- CFA
- Charge Nurse
- Chartered Accountant (CA)
- Checkout Supervisor
- Chef
- Chef De Partie
- Chemical Engineer
- Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
- Chief Information Officer (CIO)
- Chief Marketing Officer
- Chief Medical Officer
- Chief Of Staff
- Chief Operating Officer
- Chief Operating Officer
- Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
- Child Care Worker
- Civil Engineer
- Cleaner
- Clerk
- Client Partner
- Client Services Manager
- Clinical Manager
- Clinical Psychologist
- CNC Operator
- Collections Specialist
- Commercial Manager
- Commercial Underwriter
- Communications Manager
- Communications Officer
- Community Manager
- Compliance Manager
- Computer Engineer
- Computer Operator
- Computer Programmer
- Computer Technician
- Concierge
- Construction Estimator
- Construction Manager
- Construction Project Manager
- Construction Superintendent
- Construction Superintendent
- Construction Worker
- Consultant
- Content Manager
- Content Writer
- Contract Administrator
- Contract Manager
- Controller
- Cook
- Coordinator
- Copywriter
- Correctional Officer
- Cosmetologist
- Cost Accountant
- Counsellor
- Counselor
- Crane Operator
- Creative Director
- Credit Analyst
- Credit Controller
- Credit Manager
- Crew Member
- Custodian
- Customer Service Assistant
- Customer Service Associate
- Customer Service Manager
- Customer Service Representative
- Data Analyst
- Data Architect
- Data Entry Clerk
- Data Manager
- Data Scientist
- Database Administrator
- Debt Collector
- Delivery Driver
- Dental Assistant
- Dental Hygienist
- Dental Office Manager
- Dental Receptionist
- Dentist
- Dermatologist
- Design Engineer
- Desktop Support Specialist
- Development Director
- Diesel Mechanic
- Dietary Aide
- Dietitian
- Digital Marketing Manager
- Direct Support Professional
- Director Of Finance
- Director Of Marketing
- Director of Nursing
- Director of Operations
- Director Of Sales
- Dishwasher
- Dispatcher
- District Manager
- Doctor
- Document Controller
- Drafter
- Driver
- Electrical Engineer
- Electrician
- Electrician Apprentice
- Electronics Engineer
- Emergency Room Nurse
- Engineer
- Enterprise Architect
- Environmental Manager
- Equipment Operator
- Estate Agent
- Esthetician
- Estimator
- Event Coordinator
- Event Planner
- Excavator Operator
- Executive Assistant
- Executive Chef
- Executive Director
- Executive Secretary
- Expediter
- Expeditor
- Facilities Manager
- Field Sales Representative
- File Clerk
- Film Producer
- Finance Manager
- Finance Officer
- Financial Advisor
- Financial Analyst
- Financial Controller
- Financial Manager
- Financial Planner
- Firefighter
- Fleet Manager
- Food And Beverage Assistant
- Food Runner
- Food Server
- Food Service Associate
- Forklift Operator
- Front Desk Agent
- Front End Developer
- Fulfillment Associate
- Full Stack Developer
- General Counsel
- General Farm Worker
- General Manager
- General Surgeon
- Graphic Designer
- Groundskeeper
- Guidance Counsellor
- Hair Stylist
- Handyman
- Head Cashier
- Health Administrator
- Health Care Aide
- Health Records Technician
- Health Screener
- Healthcare Assistant
- Help Desk Clerk
- Help Desk Technician
- Home Care Nurse
- Home Cleaner
- Home Health Aide
- Home Health Nurse
- Hostess
- Hotel Front Desk Clerk
- Hotel Manager
- Housekeeper
- HR Assistant
- HR Director
- HR Generalist
- HR Manager
- Human Resources Manager
- HVAC Technician
- Industrial Engineer
- Inside Sales Representative
- Insurance Agent
- Interior Designer
- Internal Auditor
- Inventory Clerk
- Inventory Control Clerk
- Inventory Manager
- Inventory Specialist
- Investment Banker
- Invoice Clerk
- IT Business Analyst
- IT Director
- IT Manager
- IT Project Manager
- IT Sales Manager
- IT Specialist
- IT Support
- IT Technician
- Janitor
- Java Developer
- Junior Accountant
- Kindergarten Teacher
- Kitchen Assistant
- Kitchen Helper
- Kitchen Manager
- Lab Assistant
- Lab Technician
- Labourer
- Law Clerk
- Lawyer
- Lead Teacher
- Leasing Agent
- Leasing Consultant
- Legal Assistant
- Legal Secretary
- Librarian
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Lifeguard
- Line Cook
- Loan Officer
- Loan Processor
- Logistics Coordinator
- Logistics Manager
- Logistics Specialist Coordinator
- Long Haul Truck Driver
- Machine Operator
- Machinist
- Maintenance Assistant
- Maintenance Engineer
- Maintenance Manager
- Maintenance Supervisor
- Maintenance Technician
- Management Assistant
- Manager
- Manufacturing Engineer
- Marketer
- Marketing Assistant
- Marketing Coordinator
- Marketing Director
- Marketing Intern
- Marketing Manager
- Marketing Specialist
- Massage Therapist
- Material Handler
- Mathematician
- Mechanic
- Mechanical Design Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Biller
- Medical Coder
- Medical Director
- Medical Office Assistant
- Medical Office Manager
- Medical Receptionist
- Medical Records Clerk
- Medical Scribe
- Medical Secretary
- Medical Technologist
- Medical Transcriptionist
- medical-office-assistant
- Merchandiser
- Millwright
- Mortgage Underwriter
- Nanny
- Neonatal Nurse
- Network Administrator
- Network Engineer
- Network Technician
- Neurologist
- Night Auditor
- Nurse
- Nurse Aide
- Nurse Manager
- Nurse Practitioner
- Nursing Assistant
- Nutritionist
- Occupational Therapist
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Office Administrator
- Office Assistant
- Office Clerk
- Office Coordinator
- Office Manager
- Operational Manager
- Operations Analyst
- Operations Coordinator
- Operations Director
- Operations Manager
- Optician
- Optometrist
- Order Picker
- Outside Sales Representative
- Packer
- Painter
- Paralegal
- Paramedic
- Paraprofessional
- Pastry Chef
- Pathologist
- Patient Advocate
- Patient Care Technician
- Payroll Clerk
- Payroll Manager
- Payroll Officer
- Payroll Specialist
- Pediatrician
- Personal Assistant
- Personal Banker
- Personal Care Provider
- Personal Support Worker (PSW)
- Personal Trainer
- Pharmacist
- Pharmacy Assistant
- Pharmacy Technician
- Phlebotomist
- Photographer
- Physical Therapist
- Physical Therapist Assistant
- Physical Therapy Assistant
- Physician
- Physician Assistant
- Physiotherapist
- Pipe Fitter
- Plant Manager
- Plumber
- Police
- Police Constable
- Police Detective
- Police Officer
- Porter
- Portfolio Manager
- Practice Manager
- Prep Cook
- Preschool Teacher
- President
- Principal
- Probation Officer
- Process Engineer
- Procurement Manager
- Producer
- Product Manager
- Product Marketing Manager
- Production Assistant
- Production Designer
- Production Manager
- Production Supervisor
- Production Worker
- Program Analyst
- Program Assistant
- Program Coordinator
- Program Director
- Program Manager
- Programmer Analyst
- Project Coordinator
- Project Engineer
- Project Manager
- Property Manager
- Psychiatrist
- Psychologist
- Public Relations Account Manager
- Purchasing Agent
- Purchasing Assistant
- Purchasing Manager
- Quality Assurance Engineer
- Quality Control Inspector
- Quality Engineer
- Quality Inspector
- Quality Manager
- Radiologic Technologist
- Radiologist
- Real Estate Agent
- Real Estate Broker
- Real Estate Sales Consultant
- Realtor
- Receiving Clerk
- Receptionist
- Records Management Technician
- Recreational Therapist
- Recruiter
- Regional Sales Manager
- Registered Nurse
- Resident Assistant
- Resident Companion
- Respiratory Therapist
- Restaurant Manager
- Restaurant Server
- Retail Assistant Manager
- Retail Associate
- Retail Sales Associate
- Retail Store Manager
- Safety Manager
- Sale Associate
- Sales Assistant
- Sales Associate
- Sales Clerk
- Sales Consultant
- Sales Coordinator
- Sales Director
- Sales Engineer
- Sales Manager
- Sales Representative
- Sales Support Specialist
- Scheduler
- School Bus Driver
- School Counsellor
- School Social Worker
- Seasonal Associate
- Secretary
- Security
- Security Guard
- Security Officer
- Senior Accountant
- Senior Project Manager
- Senior Quality Assurance Analyst
- Server
- Service Advisor
- Service Manager
- Shift Leader
- Shift Manager
- Shipping Clerk
- Shipping Coordinator
- Shop Assistant
- Social Media Intern
- Social Media Manager
- Social Worker
- Software Architect
- Software Developer
- Software Engineer
- Sous Chef
- Special Education Teacher
- Speech Language Pathologist
- Staff Accountant
- Stocker
- Store Assistant
- Store Associate
- Store Clerk
- Store Manager
- Substitute Teacher
- Supervisor
- Supply Chain Manager
- Supply Teacher
- Surgeon
- Surgical Technician
- Surveyor
- System Administrator
- System Engineer
- Systems Administrator
- Systems Analyst
- Systems Engineer
- Tax Preparer
- Teacher
- Teacher Aide
- Teacher Assistant
- Teaching Assistant
- Team Leader
- Technical Director
- Technical Support
- Technical Support Specialist
- Technical Writer
- Telemarketer
- Television Producer
- Teller
- Training Coordinator
- Training Manager
- Travel Agent
- Treasurer
- Truck Driver
- Tutor
- UI Developer
- Ultrasound Sonographer
- Ultrasound Technician
- Underwriter
- UX Designer
- Veterinarian
- Veterinary Assistant
- Veterinary Technician
- Waiter
- Waitress
- Warehouse Associate
- Warehouse Manager
- Warehouse Worker
- Web Designer
- Web Developer
- Welder
- Wholesale Buyer
- Writer
What Is a Job Description?
A job description summarises the essential responsibilities, activities, qualifications and skills for a role. Also known as a JD, this document describes the type of work performed.
A job description should include important company details — company mission, culture and any benefits it provides to employees. It may also specify to whom the position reports and salary range.
An effective job advertisement will provide enough detail for candidates to determine if they’re qualified for the position.
Job Title
Make your job titles specific. Targeted job titles are more effective than generic ones, so be precise by including key phrases that accurately describe the role.
Avoid internal lingo that may confuse the job seeker. Stick to standard experience levels like “Senior” rather than “VI” or other terms people are less likely to look for.
Keep the job title concise. Our data shows job titles that are 80 characters or less receive more clicks.
Job Summary
Open with a strong, attention-grabbing summary. Your summary should provide an overview of your company and expectations for the position.
Hook your reader with details about what makes your company unique. Your job description is an introduction to your company and your employer brand. Include details about your company culture to sum up why a candidate would love to work for you. 75% of job seekers in Canada rated a brief company description as important information to see in a job description.
Include an exact job location. Provide an exact job location to optimize your job posting so it appears higher in job search results.
Include details about works hours/environment. 86% of job seekers in Canada rated work hours and schedule information as important to see in a job description. Additionally, 80% of job seekers in Canada rated work environment details as key information in a job description.*
*Indeed survey with Facit Digital, n=353
Responsibilities and Duties
Outline the core responsibilities of the position. Make sure your list of responsibilities is detailed but concise. Also emphasize the duties that may be unique to your organization. For example, if you are hiring for an “Event Management” role and the position requires social media expertise to promote events, include this detail to ensure candidates understand the requirements and can determine if they’re qualified.
Highlight the day-to-day activities of the position. This will help candidates understand the work environment and the activities they will be exposed to on a daily basis. This level of detail will help the candidate determine if the role and company are a right fit, helping you attract the best candidates for your position.
Specify how the position fits into the organization. Indicate who the job reports to and how the person will function within your organization, helping candidates see the bigger picture and understand how the role impacts the business.
Qualifications and Skills
Include a list of hard and soft skills. Of course, the job description should specify education, previous job experience, certifications and technical skills required for the role. You may also include soft skills, like communication and problem solving, as well as personality traits that you envision for a successful hire.
Keep your list concise. While you may be tempted to list out every requirement you envision for your ideal hire, including too many qualifications and skills could dissuade potential candidates.
Salary and Benefits
Include a salary range. Quality candidates look for opportunities that meet their salary needs. In fact, 87% of job seekers in Canada rated salary as important in a job description.* Stand out from other employers by adding the salary band to your job description to help attract best fit candidates.
List out your top perks and benefits. What’s in it for the candidate? 82% of job seekers in Canada rated employee benefits as key information in a job description.* Encourage more people to apply by sharing the attractive rewards and benefits you offer your employees, such as:
- Unlimited vacaation
- Flexible hours
- Office snacks
- Tuition reimbursement
- Dog-friendly office
*Indeed survey with Facit Digital, n=353
Ready to get started?
Build a Job Description*Indeed provides this information as a courtesy to users of this site. Please note that we are not your recruiting or legal advisor, we are not responsible for the content of your job descriptions, and none of the information provided herein guarantees performance.