Job Brief : a guide with template

Struggling to attract the right candidates for your job openings? The problem might start from your job brief.

Your job brief should provide a detailed and clear overview of the role to potential candidates.

It should not only outlines responsibilities and qualifications but also helps align expectations between managers and recruiters.

In this article, you'll learn what a job brief is, what to include in a good one, and how to create and align on it efficiently.

What is a Job Brief?

A job brief is a recruitment document that provides comprehensive overview of a new job role, going beyond a simple list of duties. Unlike a job description, which focuses on daily tasks, a job brief includes the role's purpose, its goals, and the qualifications needed.

It ensures recruiter and hiring manager are on the same page and that candidates understand the job clearly.

In your job brief, you need to answer key questions about the role. It should explain why the position exists and the role the new hire will play in the team. It should also detail the specific goals and objectives for the first 6-12 months to set clear expectations from the start.

The goal of a job brief is to attract the best candidates by providing all the information they need to determine if they are a good fit. It also helps you by offering a clear framework for evaluating candidates and ensuring all stakeholders are aligned.

What to Include in a Good Job Brief?

Here’s what you need to include to make your job brief effective:

1. Position Title and Description: Start with a clear job title and a concise description of the role. This should provide an immediate understanding of what the job entails. Avoid jargon and keep it straightforward to ensure it is easily understood by potential candidates.

2. Company Background: Provide an overview of your company, including its mission, values, and culture. This helps candidates understand the environment they would be working in and whether it aligns with their personal and professional values​​.

3. Key Responsibilities and Tasks: List the main duties and tasks the candidate will be expected to perform. Be specific about what the role involves on a day-to-day basis. This section should give a clear picture of the job’s core functions)​.

4. Required Qualifications: Detail the necessary educational background, professional certifications, and technical skills needed for the role. Be specific about what is mandatory and what is preferred. This helps filter out candidates who do not meet the essential criteria​.

5. Preferred Skills and Experience: Highlight any additional skills or experiences that would be beneficial but are not essential. This could include soft skills, industry experience, or familiarity with specific tools and technologies.

6. Salary and Benefits: Provide information on the compensation package, including salary range, benefits, and any incentives. This transparency helps manage candidates' expectations and attract those who are genuinely interested in the role​​.

7. Reporting Structure: Describe who the candidate will report to and who will report to them. This gives an understanding of their position within the company’s hierarchy and their potential team interactions​.

8. Start Date and Location: Include the expected start date and work location. If remote work is an option, mention this to appeal to a broader range of candidates​​.

9. Application Instructions: Clearly outline how candidates should apply, including any specific documents required, application deadlines, and submission methods. This ensures that candidate

Template of a Job Brief

Below is a ready-made template you can use to craft an effective job brief. It is designed to help candidates understand the role and to align with your team.

Job Title:Clearly state the job title.

Company Overview:Provide a brief description of your company, including mission, values, and culture.

Role Purpose:Describe why the position exists and its importance within the company.

Key Responsibilities:

• List the main duties and tasks expected from the candidate.*

• Responsibility 1
• Responsibility 2
• Responsibility 3

Required Qualifications:Detail the necessary educational background and certifications.

• Qualification 1
• Qualification 2
• Qualification 3

Preferred Skills and Experience:Highlight additional skills and experiences that are desirable but not mandatory.

• Preferred Skill 1
• Preferred Skill 2
• Preferred Experience 1

Salary and Benefits:Provide information on the compensation package.

• Salary Range: $XX,000 - $XX,000
• Benefits: List benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, etc.

Reporting Structure:Describe the reporting relationships, including who the candidate will report to and who will report to them.

Start Date and Location:Include the expected start date and work location. Mention if remote work is an option.

Application Instructions:Clearly outline how candidates should apply, including required documents and deadlines.

Example of Job Brief with this template

Job Title:Software Engineer

Company Overview:We are a leading tech company dedicated to innovative solutions. Our mission is to drive progress through technology, fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture.

Role Purpose:The Software Engineer will play a crucial role in developing and maintaining our core software products, ensuring they meet high standards of quality and performance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain software applications.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define and implement new features.
• Troubleshoot and debug issues in existing software.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Java, Python, or C++.
• Experience with software development tools and methodologies.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Familiarity with agile development processes.
• Experience with cloud services (AWS, Azure).
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

Salary and Benefits:

• Salary Range: $80,000 - $100,000
• Benefits: Health insurance, 401(k) plan, paid time off, professional development opportunities.

Reporting Structure:The Software Engineer will report to the Lead Developer and collaborate with team members from various departments.

Start Date and Location:Start Date: June 1, 2024Location: New York, NY (Remote work options available)

Application Instructions: Submit your resume and cover letter by May 15, 2024, to jobs@techcompany.com. Please include "Software Engineer Application" in the subject line.

How to Align Manager and Recruiter on the Job Brief

Aligning with the hiring manager on the job brief is crucial for a successful hiring process. Here’s how you can ensure both parties are on the same page:

1. Organize a Manager-Recruiter Meeting:

‍You should organize a meeting between the recruiter and hiring manager to create the job brief. During the meeting, cover the job’s purpose, key responsibilities, required qualifications, and preferred skills. This step ensures that you both have a clear understanding of what’s needed and to draft and revise the job brief accordingly.

2. Use a Standardized Template:

‍Use a standardized template to capture all necessary information. This template should include sections for the job title, company overview, role purpose, key responsibilities, required qualifications, preferred skills, salary and benefits, reporting structure, start date, location, and application instructions. This structure helps ensure nothing is missed and that all relevant details are included​​.

3. Add Key Objectives of the Role

‍Clearly define the key objectives and expected outcomes for the role in the job brief. Discuss what success looks like in the first 6-12 months. This helps set clear performance expectations and provides a benchmark for evaluating candidates​​.

4. Distinguish Required and Preferred Qualifications:

‍Clarify the mandatory qualifications and distinguish them from preferred skills and experiences in the job brief. This helps you filter out candidates who do not meet the essential criteria and focus on those who possess desirable additional skills​.

5. Maintain Regular Check-ins:

‍Keep in touch with regular check-ins throughout the recruitment process. This helps address any emerging issues or changes in the role’s requirements. Continuous communication ensures that any adjustments needed are made promptly and that both parties remain aligned​.

Generate a Job Brief in One Click: Noota

Creating a job brief can be time-consuming, but with Noota, you can simplify this process significantly. Noota's AI meeting assistant enables you to record, transcribe, and summarize your manager-recruiter meetings, helping you generate a personalized job brief efficiently. Here's how:

• ‍Record and Transcribe your Manager-Recruiter meeting : Noota records and captures every detail of your meetings effortlessly. It saves you the hassle of manually noting down every point. You get a complete text version of your conversation, which is easily accessible and searchable. ‍
• Generate a Structured Job Brief : Noota's AI  automatically structure the key points based on a pre-made job brief template. You get in one click a clear overview of the job role, responsibilities, qualifications, and any other specifics discussed.
• Collaboration and Sharing: You can share the transcriptions and job brief with your team members, ensuring everyone involved in the hiring process has access to the ame information. This maintains alignment between managers and recruiters, as everyone can review and provide input on the job brief.

You want to generate accurate job brief automatically ? Try Noota for free.