Weekly schedule: What it is, why it’s important – plus free templates.
The hiring process can take longer than you think. Create a job description template with customisable sections and attract the right talent to your company with ease.
A job description template is a pre-designed document that you can easily customise to fit any job position. It should outline essential job description details, such as the job title, duties and responsibilities, skill requirements, benefits and compensation. Job description templates help maintain consistency and streamline the hiring process.
What is a job description template?
A job description template is a pre-formatted document that outlines the structure and key elements of a job description. It serves as a reusable model for creating consistent job postings. Job description templates are typically used during the recruitment process, onboarding new hires, and sometimes managing employee performance.
Benefits of job description templates.
Crafting a detailed job description can take some time. But creating a template for a job description eliminates the need to start from scratch each time you want to hire. With a template, you can fill in the blanks and post straight to job boards and recruitment websites.
A generic job description template also acts like a checklist, ensuring you've included the necessary information. You can stay on track as you work your way through the job description details and customise your template with unique branding. That means your job listings are completed in less time and remain consistent.
What to include on a job description template.
An effective job description will include as much information as possible, encouraging job seekers to apply. Therefore, your job description template should include the following:
- Job title.
- Duties and responsibilities.
- Position requirements.
- Essential (or nice-to-have) skills.
- Salary range and benefits.
- Company culture overview.
- Required education and experience.
As it’s a job description outline, you might need to leave some sections for customisation. That includes the job title, responsibilities, salary, and other job-specific details. Simply leave a section in your template blank and fill it in later.
The good news? Details like the company culture won't change. You can fill in that section of the job description template and reuse it in each job listing. The less you need to customise, the faster you can fill in your job description outline.
However, you can make a generic job description template for the roles you have to fill regularly, like sales or customer services. With similar duties, requirements, and skills, you can update a few sections and upload it right away.
Save your job description template in the right format.
The format of your job description template should be easily accessible and simple to edit. Many free templates are available in PDF format and can be downloaded directly online. You can edit the PDF using Adobe Acrobat or convert PDF to Word online to edit your template in a different format.
After editing your job description template, it’s worth saving it as a PDF. This keeps the formatting consistent across different platforms and devices. Simply save your Word document as a PDF or convert Word to PDF online with Adobe Acrobat.
Additional online tools.
Adobe Acrobat can make recruitment easier. Here are a few online tools to get the most out of your PDFs in the workplace:
- Discover how to edit a PDF online with annotations, comments, and even sticky notes – perfect for team collaboration.
- Need that final approval for your job description template? Share a link to your PDF document and get instant feedback.
- Found the perfect candidate for the job? Make it easy to sign hiring forms electronically and streamline the onboarding process.
Frequently asked questions.
How to create a template for a job description?
You can create a well-crafted job description template using the following steps:
- Start by outlining the essential sections that will appear in every job description.
- Make it effective with unique selling points and bullet points for readability.
- Develop the template with a standardised structure, using placeholders for customisation.
- Gather feedback, refine the job description template, ensure legal compliance, and test on job boards.
Get started on your job description template with Adobe Acrobat’s online tools.
What’s the best format for job descriptions?
The most effective job description format balances information with clarity and conciseness - it doesn’t just list tasks, it actively attracts candidates. Your job description template should have an organised structure with clear headings, subheadings and ample white space.
Include clear sections outlining the job title, summary, responsibilities, required qualifications, and benefits, while using concise language and avoiding jargon.
What should a job title include?
A job title should accurately reflect the position’s responsibilities and the level of seniority within the company at a single glance. Job titles should be clear, concise, and use keywords relevant to the role and industry.
It’s one of the most important job description details, so it should be as specific as possible. If the role is highly specialised within a broader field, narrow the focus with a descriptive element. For example, ‘Senior Software Engineer – Frontend Development’.
What makes a good job description?
A good job description clearly and concisely outlines the responsibilities, required skills, and expectations of a role. It should also highlight the company culture and opportunities for growth. Job descriptions should be engaging, realistic, and transparent – particularly with salary, compensation and benefits.
When creating your job description template, always keep the essential details in mind. It’s also good practice to include a call to action and hiring process overview.