10 Tips for Crafting Highly Effective Software Developer Job Descriptions

A talented developer is a rare bird and we all would love to get one. However, this species is not an easy catch. You can’t just copy-paste a job description from Glassdoor and expect the best candidates to apply relentlessly. 

Just like the potential hires spend hours trying to create an impeccable eye-catching resume, you need to take time to make your offer stand out of the dozens of other options. 

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In this article, we’re going to talk about the do’s and don’ts of writing software developers job descriptions. What are the things you need to mention to make the candidates fly to you as if you’re giving out free cookies? Spoiler alert: cookies alone won’t do. 

Without further ado, let’s begin! 

A perfect software developer job description structure 

Let’s start with the basics. How to structure your job description so that it would get the attention of a potential candidate? The key points that must be mentioned in a good job description are:

1. Job title;
2. Type of employment (full-time, part-time, etc.); 
3. Location
4. A few words about the company (mission/vision);
5. Job responsibilities;
6. Must have qualifications;
7. Good to have qualifications;
8. Perks; 
9. Salary.

What you say in your job description is just as important as how you say it. So if you were to describe a perfect job description in two words, think of “clean” and “simple. It should be not too short so that it gives the person enough information about the job and the company, but not too long so that they aren’t overwhelmed with the amount of knowledge and skills expected from them.

How exactly do you do that? Check you the 10 tips below. 

10 tips for crafting highly effective software developer job descriptions

Make it readable 

Make sure that your software developer job description looks professional, appealing, and readable because the formatting matters. If your job posting looks like a wall of plain text, nobody is going to read it. And it won’t matter how eloquent of an HR you are. 

The ideal length of your job description is around 200 words. That would make a few paragraphs with proper breaks. Also, you can use bullet points to make it more structured, but it’s generally recommended to not go over five items because the longer the lists, the slimmer the chances that the reader will make it till the end. Leave out everything that’s obvious or not essential. 

Use accurate key phrases 

To have the candidates check out your job posting, you need to make sure it catches their attention. And how to catch the person’s attention on the internet? By using the relevant key phrases. Make sure you not only use the readable formatting but also the language that appeals to the people you’re looking for. 

Mind you, these are not only the people who are actively seeking a job. You might as well catch the attention of someone who wouldn’t mind changing their current position for a better offer. 

Say, you need to fill out the position of Senior Java Developer. Instead of writing “Senior Java Developer required, 5+ years of experience, X, Y, and Z qualifications is a must”, try a more descriptive language that tells something about what’s in it for THEM.

“A rapidly growing innovative team is looking for experienced Java Developer” – this phrasing brings more results because it basically “sells” the position to a candidate. Simply by reading it, they can imagine themselves in a new, better environment, and motivates people more than any financial perks. 

Write in normal language

It’s hard to tell at which point in the history of recruiting it became hip and original to put words like “guru”, “ninja”, “wizard”, “rockstar”, and so on in the job description… As of now, every time a company starts looking for a digital virtuoso or IT shark, one developer hiccups. And we get it, people use this kind of language because they want to attract outstanding talent. But it’s not working. 

This kind of phrasing may potentially attract two kinds of candidates: either those who are full of themselves or those who send CVs everywhere and hardly ever read past the title. 

So it’s better not to use extreme modifiers and superlatives. 

Also, remember not to make it too specific because it might limit the number of potential candidates, and especially women. You’ve probably heard that most women won’t apply for a job unless they are 100% qualified. So if you mention “motivated self-starter” as a requirement, some people might not apply because they aren’t quite sure what it means. 

Tailor job requirements to the specific project/product 

To elaborate on the previous point, too many requirements can rob you of lots of good candidates. Try to include no more than four “must-have” qualifications and two to three “good to have” ones. These would be the optimal amounts. If you cut it down to fewer options, there won’t be enough space for essential stuff, yet if you make the list longer, it will look overwhelming.  

Get help from other developers 

That’s when it gets tricky with the requirements. How do you single out what’s non-negotiable and what’s unimportant/ optional/ can be taught? Ask your team members! The software engineers that are involved in the same project will help you figure it out. After all, they are the ones who will be working with the new employee, so it makes total sense to include them in this process. 

Tell more about your company culture 

Cultural fit is just as important as having the right qualifications, so make sure you include a couple of words about what it is like to work at your company. Mention your mission statement, your vision, what makes your organization special, and what people work in your team. 

Software developers spend a lot of their time at the office, so the workplace vibe makes a massive difference. Do you support remote work? Do you have flexible hours? Do you hang out with colleagues after work? You probably planned to bring it up later after they pass all the circles of the recruitment process, but it won’t harm to give at least some idea why (and whether) this position is worth fighting for. 

Make it look urgent 

You probably have enough time to find the best candidate for a software developer position, but if you add some psychology in the mix, it won’t harm. Those candidates that are currently employed but consider changing their job deep inside will be more likely to apply if this is URGENT. You can compare the effect from this little trick with a hot goodie that’s on sale now and runs out of stock soon. 

Check the spelling

If you noticed a grammar error in the candidate’s CV, how would that change your perception? The same works vice versa. There are not many things that affect the company’s image in the eyes of a potential employee, and a typo in the job description is one of them. Always proofread your job description, preferably a couple of times. Use spell checking tools or ask the colleague to read it. It’s never too much with things like that. 

Get rid of all the gender-specific language 

Looking to attract more diverse candidates? Then this is the first thing you want to do.  People might not admit it consciously, but gender-biased language can put them off any attractive position. To be on the safe side, don’t assume that the readers are males or females for that matter. Using “they” instead of “he/she” is the way to go.

Make a video 

If there was one thing you could do to incorporate and convey everything we’ve just said… oh, wait. There is. Why don’t you make a video? If your company has time, resources, and creative potential to film a short video showcasing the team and explaining who you are looking for, that would be amazing. A sweet and short one-minute video will tell more about your organization that any written job description. Be sure that the candidates will notice you. 

Software developer job description template 

Job title: Software Development Engineer (URGENT!)

Job type: Full-time, in-house (relocation package available) 

Experience: Senior

Company size: […] people

Location: Chicago 

Job description

Our young and rapidly growing team at Company X is looking to fill out a vacant position of Senior Software Engineer. You are going to work together with the team on the complex innovative projects for our clients in the […] industry. We are looking for curious, collaborative people who are willing to learn and ready to take up new exciting endeavors. 

What you will do:

You will work in a multicultural team to develop web applications for our clients.

Must-have qualifications:

• good knowledge of JavaScript, HTML, CSS, XML, Visual Studio;
• experience developing and maintaining large-scale software products;
• the ability to proactively manage projects and troubleshoot issues.

Good-to-have qualifications: 

• experience with front-end tools like AngularJS, Vanilla JS, etc. or back-end; technologies like MS SQL, REST APIs, etc.; 
• experience with automated testing, CICD tools. 

Who we are:

Company X is passionate about technology. Our mission is to empower more people to embrace innovation and help them live better lives, and we are doing our best to make it happen. 

What is it like to work at Company X? 

Work is a massive part of our lives so we make sure that our office is a comfortable place to be around. We don’t mind flexible hours as long as the job is getting done and we encourage our employees to take care of themselves with things like a free gym membership, healthy office lunches, and more. The starting salary in this position is $X with the possibility of raise.  

We are looking for YOU!

Send your CV to jobapplication@domain.com 

Conclusion  

A well-crafted job description is a massive part of the success. Use our tips to draw up the software developer opening that will attract the real talents to your organization. 

By the way, you might save a lot of time working with us. Our company can provide you with software developers of any expertise and seniority really fast. Just let us what position do you need to fill.