How to Write a Job Posting That Gets the Right Applicants

You've been putting off the hiring decision for three months. Not because you don't need help — because writing the job posting sounds like work.

You know what you need. You just don't know how to put it on paper in a way that doesn't sound bland, or attract forty applications from people who clearly didn't read it.

A vague posting gets vague applicants. A good one does the filtering for you before anyone sends a resume.

AI can write it. You just have to tell it the right things.

What to figure out before you open ChatGPT

The posting is only as good as what you put in. Before you write a prompt, know these five things:

What are the main tasks this person will actually do every day?
What kind of person fits your workplace (detail-oriented, independent, good with customers)?
Is it full-time, part-time, or flexible? On-site or remote?
What's the pay range, or what are the benefits worth mentioning?
What's one thing about working at your business that someone would genuinely like?

That's it. You don't need a formal job description. You just need to know the job.

The prompt

"Write a job posting for a [part-time / full-time] [role title] at a small [type of business] in [city]. The main tasks are [list 3–5 things]. We're looking for someone who is [personality traits or work style]. Pay is [range or 'competitive, based on experience']. We offer [any relevant benefits]. Our team is [small / close-knit / fast-paced / whatever fits]. Write it in a friendly, direct tone — we want someone who fits the culture, not just the bullet points. Keep it to one page or less."

What you get back will be close. Edit the parts that don't sound like you. Add anything specific to your situation.

The prompt for interview questions

Once applications come in, you'll want to move quickly. Have your questions ready before the first call.

"Give me eight interview questions for a [role] at a small [type of business]. I want to find out if they're reliable, easy to work with, and capable of working with minimal supervision. Mix practical questions with ones that reveal attitude and work style. No trick questions."

The prompt for the offer letter

Most small businesses don't have an offer letter template. When you're ready to hire someone, don't wing it:

"Write a simple job offer letter for a [role] at my business. The start date is [date], the pay is [amount], the schedule is [hours/days], and the position is [at-will / contract / whatever applies]. Keep it professional but warm. One page maximum."

The prompt for the rejection email

This one gets skipped constantly — and it matters. People remember how they were treated when they didn't get the job.

"Write a short, kind rejection email for a job applicant we interviewed but aren't moving forward with. Thank them for their time, wish them well, and keep it under four sentences. No template language like 'we'll keep your resume on file' unless we actually will."

One thing most owners skip

After you post and start getting applicants, AI can help you screen them too.

"Here's my job posting and the first paragraph of four cover letters. Which applicants seem to have actually read the posting and understood what the job is? Give me a quick summary of each."

You still do the hiring. But you spend your time talking to the people worth talking to.

Hiring is one of those tasks that takes forever when you're doing it alone. Clearly, AI covers this and dozens of other time-consuming small business tasks — in plain English, with prompts you can use right away. See what's included.