The Dos and Don'ts of Writing an IT Job Description

Updated on April 11, 2025.

If you’re a hiring manager in the Information Technology (IT) industry, then you know the challenges of writing a compelling IT job description. To entice experienced IT professionals, this description needs to explain the role and the necessary skills while also accurately reflecting your company’s vision and values—all in relatively few words.

It might seem tough, but crafting excellent job descriptions is far from a lost cause. In this blog post, we’ll cover the dos and don’ts of writing effective IT job descriptions that will make recruiting top talent easier than ever!

The Importance of Good IT Job Descriptions

As an IT professional, you know the importance of precise language and accuracy to match highly technical skills. Writing good job descriptions for IT positions is no different.

Crafting clear, concise descriptions of each role not only helps you attract higher quality applicants but also saves time down the line for both hiring managers and prospective hires. Being specific about what potential employees need to know will make it easier to filter through applicants and evaluate if they have the right background and knowledge.

Tips to Write a Good IT Job Description

We have sourced thousands of candidates for IT roles, so we know which kinds of job descriptions work—and which ones don’t. Before you write your next IT job description, review through these dos and don’ts.

DO Write a New IT Job Description

When you’re backfilling a role, it might be tempting to reuse the previous job description. However, you’re better off writing a new one. Technology changes fast. So do job responsibilities. Take the extra time to evaluate the job you need filled now, and then write your description based on your current needs.

DON’T Outsource the Writing to HR

Human Resources (HR) is often involved in the hiring process. However, they lack the technical expertise that you and your team have. If they write your job description, candidates will know—and they’ll be less likely to apply.

DO Be Specific

When it comes to IT job descriptions, details are your best friend. This includes mentioning the technologies you’re using, the experience and qualifications required, as well as any certifications or training needed. You should also outline the skills and responsibilities that the job entails.

Also use a specific job title like UX designer or helpdesk support rather than a vague term like “technical wizard.”

DON’T Ask for Too Much

Be specific, but also be realistic. One employee cannot do everything.

If you’re hiring for an entry-level position, that job should have entry-level responsibilities. For example, an entry-level employee can contribute significantly to projects, but they shouldn’t own or manage projects.

Even with a senior-level position, you can’t expect one employee to develop software, handle technical documentation, offer customer support, provide quality assurance, and sell to clients.

A good IT job description clearly defines the role without putting too many responsibilities on a single person. If you ask for too much, qualified candidates will hesitate to apply.

In addition, be realistic with qualifications. How many programming languages are really necessary to know? Does the role require a college degree, or is practical experience enough? Hiring in IT remains competitive. By reconsidering your minimum qualifications, you open the field to more qualified candidates.

DO Consider Soft Skills

While technical skills are important, soft skills can be just as valuable. Soft skills include communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. Consider which soft skills are necessary to thrive within your company culture.

Soft skills are particularly helpful when evaluating entry-level candidates. As long as they meet the basic technical skills, the next important qualities are a passion for the field and a willingness to learn.

DON’T Use Unnecessary Jargon

As a technical professional, you know the importance of precise language and accuracy. But job postings are not the place to impress potential applicants with your technical knowledge.

Avoid using overly technical jargon or acronyms, as it can be a deterrent to qualified candidates.

This goes back to being specific but not asking for too much. If the job truly entails working with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology, then by all means, include those terms! However, don’t throw in a bunch of technical or corporate jargon without good reason. Multiple studies indicate jargon and clichés stop job seekers from applying to jobs.

Creating A Job Description for Tech

To get you started, we’ve complied a template to help you create tailored job descriptions for your open tech positions. Here are some categories you’ll want to include:

Job title: Make sure your title aligns with the requirements of the role. You don’t want to promote a position for a Data Engineer when you actually need a Cloud Engineer.
Summary: Give a high-level overview of the job. While a summary is not always necessary, it can act as further clarity into role expectations beyond job responsibilities and show job seekers how this role differs from similar roles at other companies.
Salary: List a clear number or range to set expectations early.
Responsibilities: Write 6-10 bullet points to outline the primary functions of the open position.
Skills and qualifications: Determining required skills versus preferred ones is extremely important when crafting your job description. Before creating your dream hire on paper, consider the minimum experience and knowledge your ideal candidate needs to succeed. Beyond these minimum qualifications, list any desired experience or knowledge under a preferred qualifications category.

To add further personalization, you can include company-specific benefits and perks that may help your job description stand out from the others.

Below, we’ve used the example of a Computer System Administrator to show you how to fill out our job description template for an IT role.

IT Job Description Template

Job Title & Summary

Title: Computer Systems Administrator

Summary: At [Company], we’re seeking a highly qualified and driven Computer Systems Administrator to support our IT team. The Computer Systems Administrator will report to the IT Manager and will work onsite at our corporate headquarters five days per week. This role is not open to remote work. The administrator will primarily focus on maintaining software access for company employees, installing new hardware and software, and monitoring internal systems for updates and overall performance. Our ideal candidate for this role is eager to learn new skills, become a leader in the information technology field, and passionate about creating solutions.

Salary

The salary range for this role is $85,000–$95,000 (40hr/week).

Job Responsibilities

Determine hardware and software needs and install when necessary.
Evaluate the organization’s network and optimize where necessary.
Advise company on hardware and software purchasing decisions.
Maintain integral infrastructures and systems (including laptops, desktops, servers, software, hardware, and email).
Develop analytical processes to provide insight into current operations.
Monitor server hardware and software health for smooth operations. Audit all systems biannually.
Provide technical expertise and support to company employees in partnership with the Help Desk team.

Skills & Qualifications

Required Skills & Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent work experience) in information technology or computer science
Minimum 3-5 years of experience in an IT systems role
Working knowledge of programming languages (i.e. Python, C++, JavaScript) and operating systems (i.e. Microsoft Windows, Linux)
Experience configuring servers and desktop and mobile equipment, hardware, and software
Ability to multitask and problem-solve analytically and critically
Strong attention to detail and clear communication skills

Preferred Skills & Qualifications:

Professional certificates and/or certifications
2-4 years of experience using JavaScript

Don’t worry about crafting the perfect job description—the main thing you need to focus on is creating clarity for potential hires.

Work with Insight Global for Your IT Hiring Needs

Creating an effective IT job description is a key part of the hiring process. When you invest time and effort into creating a well-written job description, you’ll find the most qualified applicants for the role.

Assessing candidates can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. Utilize Insight Global’s 2025 IT Interviewing Guide to help improve your hiring process for tech candidates.

If you need assistance finding the right candidate, Insight Global is here to help. Our team of IT recruiters can work with you to find the right fit for your company.