A job description is often your first conversation with a candidate. This article shows how to make your wording more inclusive and where to apply these practices in Tellent Recruitee’s job editor.
Note: You write descriptions in the job editor, under Job details > About the role. The AI writing tools described below aren’t available on every plan.
Where you write the description
Everything in this article happens in the job editor, so it helps to know where to find the relevant fields.
Go to Jobs and click New job, or open an existing job and click Edit.
Open the Job details tab.
Scroll to About the role.
You’ll find three fields there:
Description — the role and its responsibilities.
Requirements — what you’re asking candidates to bring.
Job highlights — a short summary that appears on your careers site.
Keep the wording in each field focused on the same goal: helping candidates understand the role and decide whether it is right for them.
Five practices for a wider talent pool
Cut gender-coded words
Start with the job title. Replace words such as “rockstar,” “ninja,” and “guru” with the plain version of the role, such as “developer” or “sales representative.”
A straightforward title makes it easier for candidates to understand the role without asking them to picture themselves as a certain type of person.
Then read the rest of the description for language that may feel strongly coded in one direction. Research on job advertisements has identified examples such as:
Masculine-coded: aggressive, ambitious, assertive, competitive, decisive, dominant, driven, fearless, independent, outspoken, self-reliant, superior.
Feminine-coded: collaborative, committed, compassionate, considerate, dependable, loyal, nurturing, pleasant, polite, sensitive, supportive, understanding.
A coded word is not automatically wrong. For example, “collaborative” may accurately describe a role that involves a lot of teamwork. The goal is not to replace one type of wording with another. Describe the work clearly instead of relying on a specific personality type.
You can also use a gender-decoding tool to check whether your draft relies heavily on one set of words.
List only your must-haves
Keep Requirements focused on what someone genuinely needs to do the job. A long list of preferences can discourage qualified candidates who could succeed with onboarding, training, or support.
If you want to mention a preference, make it clear that it is not essential. For example:
“Familiarity with…”
“Bonus points for…”
“If you have any combination of these skills…”
Shorter requirements are easier for everyone to read and help candidates focus on what matters most.
Drop the jargon and acronyms
Internal shorthand can make qualified candidates think a role is not right for them, especially when they have done similar work under different names.
Assume that candidates do not know your company’s internal language. Describe the work in plain terms:
Instead of “owns the CSAT KPI,” write “helps create a positive customer experience.”
Instead of “detail-oriented with strong data hygiene,” write “pays close attention to detail.”
Instead of “manages stakeholder alignment,” write “keeps everyone involved up to date.”
You can use familiar HR and recruitment terms when they help candidates understand the role. Avoid technical or internal language that does not add useful information.
Say what you’re doing about diversity and inclusion
“We are an equal opportunity employer” is a useful baseline, but it can sound generic when it appears without any supporting detail.
If your company is genuinely doing the work, explain what that looks like. You could mention employee resource groups, mentorship programs, changes to your interview process, or other current initiatives.
Only include information that is accurate and up to date. A specific statement that candidates can recognize is more useful than a broad promise that you cannot support.
Name your inclusive benefits
Benefits can help candidates understand how your company supports different needs and responsibilities outside work.
Depending on what applies to the role and location, you could mention:
Paid parental leave.
Childcare support.
Paid family sick leave.
Flexible working hours.
You do not need to list every benefit in the job description. A few specific examples can give candidates useful context before they apply.
Let AI write the first draft
Tellent Recruitee includes an AI writing tool that can help you create a first draft for the Description and Requirements fields. Always review and edit the result before publishing.
To create a draft:
Go to Jobs and click New job, or open an existing job and click Edit.
On the job posting page, find the Description or Requirements field.
Click Create with AI.
Review and accept the OpenAI terms if prompted.
Add or edit the prompt to describe the role and the type of text you need. Information such as the job title, company name, and department may already be included.
Click Create.
Review the result and edit it to match the role, your company, and your hiring process.
Click Insert to add the text to the job.
If you want to try again, use Copy text first if you need to keep the current draft. Creating a new version may replace the text you are currently reviewing.
Important: The data you enter in the AI prompt is sent to OpenAI. Review the relevant terms and avoid adding information that should not be shared.
When reviewing the generated text, ask the AI to:
Use plain, inclusive language.
Include only must-have requirements.
Explain acronyms and replace internal jargon.
Describe the work and responsibilities rather than a personality type.
Keep the description concise and easy to scan.
AI can suggest wording, but it does not know your benefits, team, hiring process, or legal obligations. Treat the result as a first draft. You decide what to publish.
Put yourself in the candidate’s shoes
When candidates read a job description, they’re usually trying to answer two questions: What would I do in this role? And do I have enough of the right experience to apply?
Compare these two versions:
Before
"We’re looking for a marketing ninja to dominate our growth channels. You’ll own the full funnel, drive CAC down, and be accountable for MQL-to-SQL conversion. Must have 8+ years’ experience, an MBA, fluency in three languages, and advanced SQL.
After
"We’re looking for a Growth Marketing Manager. You’ll plan and run our marketing campaigns, track what each channel costs us, and work with Sales to turn interest into conversations. You’ll need a few years’ experience running campaigns end to end. Bonus points for SQL or a second language."
The second version gives candidates a clearer picture of the work without making the role feel like a test they have to pass. It removes coded and hype-driven language, explains the acronyms, and makes it clear which skills are essential and which are simply a bonus.
Note: Only include “bonus” skills if they are genuinely useful for the role. If SQL or another language is not needed, remove it from the description altogether.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I write a job description in Tellent Recruitee?
Where do I write a job description in Tellent Recruitee?
Go to Jobs, create a new job or edit an existing one, open Job details, and scroll to About the role.
Is the AI writing tool available on every plan?
Is the AI writing tool available on every plan?
The AI writing tool may depend on your plan or company settings. If you do not see the AI option, ask your administrator to check whether it is available for your account.
Does the AI writing tool decide who to hire?
Does the AI writing tool decide who to hire?
No. The AI writing tool helps you create or edit job text. You review the result and decide what to publish and who to hire.
Should I publish AI-generated text without editing it?
Should I publish AI-generated text without editing it?
No. Review the text for accuracy, inclusive wording, unnecessary requirements, jargon, benefits, and any legal or company-specific information before publishing.
Can I use AI to translate a job description?
Can I use AI to translate a job description?
If translation is enabled for your account, Tellent Recruitee can help draft translations. Review each translation before inserting it, especially job titles, industry terms, benefits, and inclusive wording.