When posting a job on LinkedIn, the language you use in the job description and requirements is extremely important. An effective job post needs to grab the reader’s attention, provide key details about the role, and get top candidates excited about applying. Here are some tips for writing compelling LinkedIn job posts that attract qualified applicants.
Keep the Description Clear and Concise
You only have a few seconds to catch the reader’s eye, so keep the job summary clear, concise, and straightforward. Get right to the point about what the job entails and the main responsibilities. Use short sentences and bullet points to make it skimmable. Keep paragraphs to 3-4 lines max. Avoid vague, overused cliches and get specific about the day-to-day work.
Focus on Must-Have Skills and Qualifications
Be very selective about the required skills, abilities, and credentials you include. Only list those that are absolutely mandatory for the role. This helps candidates self-select and not apply if they clearly don’t meet the minimum requirements. Some key details to call out:
- Years of directly related work experience
- Level of education and field/major
- Specific hard skills and knowledge needed
- Certifications or licenses required
- Software, systems, or tools the person needs to know
Highlight Soft Skills and Personality Traits
While hard skills are essential, the right soft skills and personality traits also matter. Especially for customer-facing or collaborative roles, call out must-have soft skills like:
- Communication and teamwork abilities
- Organizational qualities
- Initiative and problem-solving
- Attention to detail
- Work ethic and time management
- Positive, patient, calm under pressure
Describe the Ideal Candidate
Paint a vivid picture of who would thrive in the job. This gives candidates a better sense of the qualities you seek for the role beyond just skills and experience. Bring the position to life by describing the ideal candidate, for example:
- “Passionate about customer experience and delivering 5-star service”
- “A creative problem-solver who can think outside the box”
- “A self-motivated go-getter with exceptional time management skills”
- “A persuasive communicator able to influence stakeholders and hold presentations”
Explain Why the Role Matters
To attract the best talent, emphasize the impact and importance of the position. Why does it matter? How does it contribute to the company’s mission and goals? Giving meaning and context helps get candidates excited.
For example, don’t just say “Hiring a Accountant”. Say “We’re hiring an Accountant to oversee financial reporting and help us continue our rapid growth.” This makes the job post more compelling.
Highlight Company Culture and Values
Job seekers today don’t just look at roles in isolation – they look at the company behind the job. Showcase details about your company culture, values, people and mission. Highlight perks and benefits that set your employer brand apart. This gives candidates a better sense of your organization as a whole.
For instance, you could say: “We’re an inclusive, fast-paced team of innovators looking for people driven by meaningful work, professional development, and work-life balance. Our benefits include flexible work arrangements, 18 paid days off, full healthcare coverage, and gym reimbursement.”
List Logistics Like Location, Salary, Perks
Don’t make candidates hunt for key logistical details. Be transparent and proactive in listing information like:
- Job location (or remote)
- Salary range or hourly wage
- Perks/benefits beyond the standard
- Work schedule/hours expectations
- Travel requirements if applicable
This practical info helps candidates evaluate if the role is a fit for their needs.
Close With a Strong Call to Action
Wrap up the post with a clear call to action to apply along with next steps. For example: “To apply, please email your resume to [email] by [date]. Qualified applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview. Those moving forward will complete a skills assessment.” This gives a clear sense of the process.
Use Attention-Grabbing Headlines
Along with the job title, use a headline that captures attention. Powerful headlines identify the role, company, and key selling points. For example:
- “Customer Service Rep – Flexible Hours at Fast-Growing Startup”
- “Remote Project Manager at Leading Tech Company”
- “Entry-Level Sales Role at Fortune 500 Retail Company”
Punchy, specific headlines like these help qualified candidates instantly recognize good fits.
Check for Typos, Errors, and Formatting
Nothing turns off candidates faster than sloppy typos and formatting. Double check for errors to put your best foot forward. Consider using bullet points, numbered lists, and bolding for skimmability.
Posting jobs with thoughtful, compelling language takes a bit more time up front, but attracts more suitable candidates in the end. Following these tips will help you write job posts that make an impact on LinkedIn.
Use Data and Statistics Wisely
While most of the job post should focus on concise copy, selective use of data and statistics can boost your credibility. A few relevant numbers show evidence for claims you make about the company. For example:
- “$5M in revenue in just 3 years”
- “Voted a Top 100 Company Culture by Entrepreneur Magazine”
- “Over 1,000 positive customer reviews on Google”
Don’t overdo it, but sprinkling in some meaningful stats makes a strong impression.
Sample Job Post Template
Here is one way to structure a compelling LinkedIn job post using the tips above:
[Attention-grabbing Headline]
[Job Title]
[Company Name]
[1-2 sentence overview of company culture and values]
[2-3 sentence summary of job role and main objectives]
You Will:
- [3-4 bullets on day-to-day responsibilities]
Required Qualifications:
- [3-5 bullets listing must-have skills, experience, education]
Preferred Qualifications:
- [2-3 bullets listing “nice to have” qualifications]
[1-2 sentences describing ideal candidate and importance of role]
[List key logistics – location, salary, benefits, etc]
To Apply: [Instructions for applying]
Be Authentic and Sincere
Today’s job seekers value authenticity and want to get a genuine sense of company culture. Use sincere language instead of overused, boilerplate cliches. Share real details that give candidates a feel for your people and environment day to day.
For example, don’t just generically say you have a “fast-paced, team-oriented work culture.” Give real examples, like “We’re a tight-knit group that starts meetings with personal updates and trivia just for fun.”
Avoid Excessive Requirements
It’s tempting to make a “wish list” of every skill and qualification you’d like, but be realistic. If you ask for too much, you’ll discourage otherwise strong candidates from applying.
Stick to the critical “must-haves” for the role. Keep an open mind about candidates who meet most but not all criteria, and train them on the rest.
Sell the Growth Opportunities
Emphasize opportunities for career development and growth. Talented candidates want to know how the role can advance their skills and experience. Will they have chances to take on new challenges, manage people, or build expertise? Highlight internal mobility and promotion paths. Outline training, mentoring and other growth opportunities the job offers.
Keep the Tone Warm and Friendly
Even though a job post needs important details, use a warm, friendly tone. Avoid sounding overly dry, formal or technical. Present information conversationally, like you’re speaking directly to the candidate. Phrases like “We’re looking for someone who…” and “On our team you’ll get to…” give a human touch.
What Not to Include
Along with the dos, there are some key don’ts of writing LinkedIn job posts:
- Don’t use boring, generic job descriptions. Get specific on day-to-day duties.
- Don’t list every possible qualification. Stick to the essentials.
- Don’t use complex jargon or acronyms candidates won’t know.
- Don’t be vague about pay, location, hours or benefits.
- Don’t be overly demanding or intimidating with the requirements.
- Don’t go overboard with industry buzzwords just for the sake of it.
- Don’t make typos or grammatical errors that dissuade candidates.
Craft a Strong Subject Line
Along with a compelling job post, you need an equally strong subject line in the LinkedIn job listing. This is the first thing candidates see, so make it count.
Keep the subject clear, targeted, and scannable. For example:
- Social Media Manager – Vancouver Tech Company
- Remote Customer Support Rep – $60k base plus bonus
- Entry Level Civil Engineer
Keywords to include are role, level, location, salary, and company name. Just like the job summary, the subject line needs to capture attention fast.
Follow Up with Candidates
Posting the job is just the first step. Make sure to follow up promptly with every applicant. Give them updates on next steps and the interview schedule. Even if rejecting someone, send a courtesy note thanking them for their time.
This basic courtesy leaves a good impression. The candidates you reject today may be strong options down the road, so you want them to remember you positively.
Why Does Language Matter on LinkedIn?
LinkedIn has over 690+ million members. With such a massive audience, standing out from the crowd is critical. Using thoughtful language tailored to LinkedIn users gives your job a much better chance of resonating.
Follow best practices like:
- Lead with the most compelling details
- Use natural phrasing, not dry “corporate-speak”
- Show you understand what motivates LinkedIn’s career-focused users
- Make mobile-friendly easy to skim on a small screen
The language and tone you use to engage LinkedIn members ultimately impacts applications. Strategic wording leads to more quality applicants. Generic or sloppy content is ignored.
Optimize for LinkedIn’s Applicant Tracking System
Pay attention to LinkedIn’s job board algorithm and applicant tracking system. Use relevant keywords and phrases throughout your post so it resonates with the right candidates. This helps your open position appear more prominently in LinkedIn’s automated recommendations.
For example, someone with “project manager” in their profile is more likely to see project manager openings. Apply this same concept across job titles, skills, company names, keywords, and other details.
Key Takeaways
Posting jobs on LinkedIn requires thoughtful language tailored to the platform. Follow these best practices:
- Keep the job summary tight with key details
- List must-have qualifications upfront
- Highlight company culture and career growth potential
- Use a compelling, keyword-rich headline
- Maintain a warm, friendly tone throughout
- Avoid typos and errors that dissuade candidates
With a well-crafted job posting that speaks directly to quality talent, you’re more likely to connect with the right people for the role.
| Job Role | Location | Salary | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sales Manager | New York City, NY | $90,000 | Bachelor’s degree, 5+ years sales experience |
| Software Engineer | Remote | $110,000 | Computer Science degree, 3+ years Java experience |
| Marketing Coordinator | Chicago, IL | $45,000 | Marketing degree, 1+ years social media and email marketing experience |
This table provides a few example job postings with key details like role, location, salary, and requirements. A table is an effective way to concisely summarize and visually display critical information from multiple job listings.
Conclusion
Posting jobs on LinkedIn requires thoughtful language and strategic optimization. By keeping your description focused, highlighting details that matter to candidates, and using keywords strategically, you can attract more qualified applicants on LinkedIn.
Remember to keep the tone warm and friendly, stay concise, and follow best practices tailored to LinkedIn’s platform and audience. With these tips, your job posts are more likely to connect with the talent you seek.