What’s the Difference Between a Job Advert and a Job Description?

Though they might seem similar, there’s a big difference between job adverts and job descriptions.

Recruiters can’t hope to copy and paste a description onto job boards and see great results.

With 9.8 million Brits actively job hunting each day and 65% of jobseekers looking for a new purpose in their work, this is the moment to be speaking directly to candidates.

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To be appealing to them on a deeper level with well-crafted, well-structured optimised job adverts.

If you can do that, all parties win – companies, candidates and recruiters.

4 Questions That Reveal the Differences and Similarities Between a Job Advert and a Job Description

What is a job advert?

A job advert sells.

It’s structured to engage and interest candidates, and though it describes requirements for the role and responsibilities of the role, this isn’t all it does.

It also lists employee benefits, hooks readers in and speaks to company culture and ethos.

The ideal job advert should be snappy, well-structured and attention-holding, phrasing things in a way that interests jobseekers.

What is a job description?

There are many similarities between job adverts and job descriptions, but the best way to think of it is like this.

A job description is doing what only one part of a job advert is doing, whereas a job description simply lists the responsibilities of the role in question.

It can be a helpful source of further information later down the line, but it isn’t the thing that sells the job to candidates and drives applications.

Where a job advert sells, a job description tells.

What is included in a job advert?

At AdBuilder, our tried and tested job advert template is as follows (in order):

1. The job title
2. The location in which the job is based
3. The salary
4. The opening/hook that draws the candidate in
5. The role and responsibilities of the job
6. The key requirements and skills required for the job
7. The benefits package (and a re-iteration of salary)
8. Details about the company (culture, ethos, values, so on)
9. The call-to-action, which invites the candidate to apply

What is included in a job description?

More simply, a job description contains:

• The job title
• The location
• The salary
• The responsibilities of the role
• The nature of the role
• The benefits package

See the difference yet?

Job Ad Vs Job Description: Final Things to Consider

Job adverts and job descriptions inherently serve different purposes, and if you use each one in the right context, both will be fit for purpose.

Recruiters should be using job adverts to sell roles and attract quality candidates.

But in terms of shaping that advert, asking employers to create a more comprehensive breakdown of the role (i.e., a job description) might be helpful.

Job descriptions = For internal use.

Job adverts = For hiring ideal candidates.

If you’ve been leaning into job description territory with your adverts, it’s time to:

• Narrow things down – Include the key information but keep things short and snappy. Try to stick within 300 words for the job ad, as our research shows that shorter ads see more applications.
• Consider the candidate – If you were applying for this job role, what would you want to know? Prioritise information that will interest the candidate and be important to them, like the salary and the benefits package.

 For further support on improving the quality of your job adverts, visit the AdBuilder blog.