Job descriptions vs job postings: What’s the difference?

A job description communicates key details about a job opening, including the role, expectations, and skills the employer seeks in an applicant.

The purpose of a job description is to outline the position for which the candidate is applying. It is usually to the point, straightforward, and without creatives, visuals, or other attention-getters.

Specifying the expectations from the candidate and whether their qualifications match the job requirements, a description assists candidates in deciding whether they fit for the position and whether it interests them.

In addition, it clearly summarizes the main goal and purpose of the position. The conditions of employment such as background checks, educational qualifications, licensing and credentialing requirements, description of an ideal candidate, compensation, and more, will be made clear in a job description.

Once an organization has determined the need to add talent to their workforce and the internal job description has been created, talent acquisition teams will use it to develop an external job posting to promote the role, market the company, and recruit top talent.

Candidates are eager to learn how companies treat their employees and respond to turbulent times. Candidates look forward to understanding what life at the hiring organization looks like. For instance, the dynamics of the job market and work culture have changed post-COVID. Poor crisis management, layoffs, and bad decision making to address immediate concerns during the pandemic, have all contributed to a long-term impact on employer brand by setting a negative precedent.

Job postings therefore play a pivotal role in managing employer branding as they speak about the company's vision, and provide insight into the workplace culture.

The primary difference between a job posting and a job description is that the former is always intended to draw candidates, while the latter establishes the specific requirements for completing a task.

A job posting is, therefore, convincing and makes the role look more exciting and interesting. Copywriting plays an important role in making the company seem like an amazing place to work.

In contrast, a job description is more factual and dry. It is only intended to be read by those who will really be performing the work and it forms a subset of job postings.

Both job descriptions and job postings are essential to attracting quality candidates into your workforce promptly and efficiently. JobTatkal helps you create effective job descriptions using its AI technology and lets you create job postings on the platform to match with top talent.