- Where to get a free job description template
- Job description template sources side by side
- What a good job description includes
- Job description or job advert?
- The words that can break the law
- How to write a job description from a free template
- Getting help with the wording
- Reusing your job description
- Frequently asked questions
The short version: Indeed, LinkedIn, Workable, Microsoft Word and Google Docs all give you free job description templates. Use one to structure the role, then check the wording, because both US and UK rules say phrases like recent graduate can discriminate unless they're a real requirement of the job.
Writing your first job description is a sign your business is growing. It's also easy to rush, copy a template and post it the same afternoon. The structure is the easy part. The words are where small businesses get caught out.
Where to get a free job description template
In no particular order, each one best for a different job:
- Indeed: best for role-specific examples you can adapt quickly.
- LinkedIn: best if you'll post the role on LinkedIn anyway.
- Workable: best for browsing templates by job title.
- Microsoft Word: best for a version you'll keep on file and reuse.
- Google Docs: best for drafting with a business partner or hiring manager.
Job description template sources side by side
| Source | Best for | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Indeed | Role-specific examples | Adapt the duties to your actual role |
| Posting on LinkedIn | Keep the description in line with the advert | |
| Workable | Templates by job title | Check the wording against the rules below |
| Microsoft Word | Your own master copy | Easy to reuse for future hires |
| Google Docs | Shared drafting | Comment and agree before you post |
What a good job description includes
Every template covers the same core: a job title, a short summary of why the role exists, the main duties, the skills and experience needed, and practical details such as hours and location. I'd split the skills into must-haves and nice-to-haves, so good people don't rule themselves out because they're missing one item from a long wish list.
Write the duties in plain language about outcomes, not tasks alone. Grows our email list and sends a weekly newsletter tells someone far more than manages email marketing.
Job description or job advert?
These are often treated as the same document, but they do different jobs. The job description is your internal record of what the role involves, which helps with training, reviews and future hires. The job advert is the shorter, more persuasive version you publish to attract applicants. Start with the description, then write the advert from it, and check both against the rules below because they can both end up in front of candidates.
The words that can break the law
Here's the catch with copying a template. In the US, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says it's illegal for an employer to publish a job advertisement that shows a preference for, or discourages someone from applying because of, their race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age if they're 40 or older, disability or genetic information. Its own example is a help-wanted ad that seeks females or recent college graduates, which may discourage men and people over 40 from applying and may violate the law.
In the UK, GOV.UK says you must not state or imply in a job advert that you'll discriminate against anyone, including saying that you can't cater for workers with a disability. It says to only use phrases like recent graduate or highly experienced when these are actual requirements of the job, because otherwise you could discriminate against younger or older people who might not have had the chance to get those qualifications.
GOV.UK also points out that where you advertise can cause indirect discrimination, giving the example of advertising only in men's magazines. So the template, the wording and where you post the role all matter.
How to write a job description from a free template
- Write down why the role exists and what success looks like after the first few months.
- Copy a template and replace the duties with the real work this person will do.
- Split skills into must-haves and nice-to-haves.
- Remove any wording about age, gender or other personal traits that isn't a real requirement.
- Check phrases like recent graduate or highly experienced are really needed for the job.
- Post the role in more than one place so you reach a wide range of people.
Getting help with the wording
AI can speed up a first draft, but read every line yourself before it goes out. My ChatGPT prompts for job adverts will help you write a description people want to apply for, and if you're hiring regularly, here's my roundup of the best AI recruiting software.
If you're not sure whether a requirement is fair, ask yourself whether you could explain why the job needs it. If you can't, take it out.
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Reusing your job description
Once you've written a good one, save it as your own master template. Next time you hire, you'll start from wording you've already checked rather than another generic template. Just reread it each time, because roles change and the duties that made sense last year may not fit the job you're hiring for now.
My verdict: use any free template for the structure, then edit the words with care. Describe the work and the skills it needs, cut anything about who the person is rather than what they can do, and you'll get better applicants and stay on the right side of the law.
Run a free job description template library that belongs on this list? See how to get it featured.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get a free job description template?
Indeed, LinkedIn, Workable, Microsoft Word and Google Docs all offer free job description templates.
Can I ask for recent graduates in a US job ad?
Be careful. The EEOC says an ad seeking recent college graduates may discourage people over 40 from applying and may violate the law.
When can a UK job advert say recent graduate or highly experienced?
GOV.UK says to only use these phrases when they're actual requirements of the job.
Can where I advertise a job be discriminatory?
Yes. GOV.UK says where you advertise might cause indirect discrimination, for example advertising only in men's magazines.
Is a job description the same as a job advert?
Not quite. The description is your record of the role, and the advert is the shorter public version written to attract applicants.
What should a job description include?
A job title, a short summary, main duties, must-have and nice-to-have skills, and practical details such as hours and location.
