Job Description Template

I’ve had a couple of queries about my post on the SEO template for a job details page – in particular about the job description and title itself, so wanted to expand on that a little.

Job Title

Newspaper Job DescriptionI still seem to come across so many job descriptions on websites that appear to have been written for newspaper job ads. ‘Attractive’ headlines or calls to action may attract the eye in a newspaper, but the words are of no use to someone searching.

Make the job title simple and to the point.

  • Use keywords that people might search for in the job title
  • Don’t ‘waste’ words
  • Describe – don’t ‘attract’
  • Forget humour – keep it plain and businesslike
  • Keep it to about one line (8 – 10 words, generally)

So – a good job title would be:
“Senior Mechanical Engineer for Rail Company in South Yorkshire, Permanent”

and a dreadful one would be:

Are you a fast-mover who likes to keep on the rails?” … you get my point.  Think ‘keywords’ Which candidate would possibly be searching for a ‘fast mover’ etc etc.

Job Description

The description should always start with a brief summary paragraph. Think about having 30 seconds to get all the info possible across to a candidate. Use words they would use.

  • Business area
  • Role type
  • Summary of tasks
  • Level / seniority

Remember that the first 160 characters of opening paragraph is likely to be (or at least should be) the meta description.  This has keyword value in Google and other search engines, so get keywords in early.

Things you can use without ruining your SEO

  • If you need to attract people to certain words, then use bold (or better, <strong> tags) – if needs be.  Search engines pay little or no attention to whether something is bold (depending on who you listen to) but the human eye can’t help but pick up on certain attractive words.
  • Don’t be afraid of a bit of repetition – over-describe the role if needs be
  • Qualifications can also be great keywords in some circumstances – list them in the job
  • Use the word job.  It’s a job description.
  • Location, location, location.  Say where it is.  People need to know.  They might be travelling to it.

… and things you shouldn’t use

  • Precious few people search for ‘role’ or ‘vacancy’.  It’s a waste of a word in SEO terms. If you’re going to use it, use it sparingly.
  • “My Client has an opening for” etc etc.  It’s obvious that they’re your client.  Waste of words.
  • Humour, sarcasm etc.  Not good, waste of words, sets a bad tone.
  • “Headline speak”  or “Questions” - Your site  is giving information out to people.  It’s plain patronising to says things like “Do you fancy a change of direction?” and it’s off-putting.

The template for a good job description

Job Title – round about ten words, keyword-rich

Introduction

  • Describe role, location, employer-type, and anything else pertinent.
  • Keywords in first 160 characters.

Full description

  • about candidate requirements
  • experience
  • employer type
  • job tasks
  • area, hours of work, etc

Working details

  • Conditions / pay
  • Holidays if appropriate

‘About’ the application

  • Closing date if appropriate
  • Further contact info if appropriate
  • Excluded applicants

Anything else about the job

  • What will happen after application
  • Other allowances if appropriate
  • permanent or part time, etc
  • Headline allowances, remuneration, and other attractive things in the package

Flash and SEO – understanding the balance and implications.

We understand the importance of the Brand – all companies need to keep careful control of how they come across to their audience – and the importance of presenting a good image to your audience – whether clients or candidates – on your website is very high. You only get one chance in many ways.

Visually, your site needs to do the job well, and we must accept that one of the big tools in ‘grabbing’ people is animated, (usually Flash) graphics in some way. There’s no avoiding it… things that ‘move’ tend to work. (Within reason – we’ve all been to sites that are way, way too annoying before!).

The problem is, of course, that Flash is effectively a graphical interface – the words or messages in Flash are not indexed by Google or any search engines. They’re ‘empty’ words as far as SEO goes. So does that mean you should be avoiding Flash for your new recruitment website? Well… not really, but you do need to get the balance right. (more…)

Keep em coming back

If there’s one thing that keeps coming up as a source of frustration, it’s getting low visitor retention rates.  As an SEO person, you do all within your power to bring new traffic in tot he site, it seems such a shame to let it go off again!  Here’s some tips  about generating repeat visits. (more…)

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