Job posting components
Last updated: February 2, 2026
Overview
Job postings are different than position descriptions. While position descriptions outline detailed job duties for internal use, job postings are briefer and are used to attract applicants to job openings.
At the UW, the Workday job description follows a templated “job posting” structure (found below) that supports posting consistency and ensures all requirements are met, such as those associated with pay transparency requirements.
- When creating a job requisition in Workday, hiring departments use the “Job Posting Text” field to draft the position advertisement.
- Your recruiting office partner will review the posting for policy compliance.
- Once reviewed and posted, the job posting will appear on the UW Careers site (and any job sites like LinkedIn and Indeed) and/or the internal UW Jobs Hub.
Information automatically included in Workday
All job postings automatically include the following; therefore, you should NOT include this information in the Job Posting Text field:
- Pay range minimum and maximum
- Other compensation, if provided
- Benefits information
- Work shift
- Job Location (City, State or Country, State)
- If the position is temporary or regular
- FTE
- Union/bargaining unit
- Remote work eligibility
- Introductory paragraph about the UW (for external candidates only)
- Equal opportunity employer statement
- Disability accommodation statement
- Requirement to disclose sexual misconduct
Formatting tips:
- Do not use font colors other than black.
- Do not underline words (this should be reserved for hyperlinks only).
- Anything bold in the job posting template, below, should remain in bold (for ex: About this Opportunity, Key Responsibilities, etc.)
Job Posting Text template
Ready to begin? Start your job posting with these required elements:
Note: Required language is in quotes. Do not copy-paste quote marks into Workday.
“<Department> has an outstanding opportunity for <Job Posting Title> to join their team.”
If applicable, include an additional paragraph stating whether this is a limited recruitment. For example: “This opportunity is open to UW employees only.” or “This opportunity is only open to employees of .”
“About this Opportunity”
“Reporting to <Manager’s Title>, the <Job Positing Title> is responsible for <insert 2-3 sentences providing high-level overview of the role’s purpose and impact>.”
If applicable, units may also provide additional or clarifying information about the role, such as the UW worksite location or details about telework eligibility and work schedule.
“Key Responsibilities”
- Use bullets to provide a list of the role’s specific job responsibilities with estimated percent time breakout (total must be 100%); focus on essential tasks the employee will actually do. Do not include skills or competencies (those should be included in Qualifications, below). For best results, keep this section between 5-12 bullets.
- If the position has supervisory responsibilities, include “This position manages employees: .”
- If this is an essential position, include, “This position performs essential services and may be required to work during any period of declared suspended operation.”
- Recruiting Office Partners will verify that the key responsibilities align with the position responsibilities approved by Compensation.
- Your department is responsible for providing a copy of the complete job description for the position to all candidates who advance to phone screens and beyond.
“Required Qualifications”
“To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.”
“Minimum Qualifications”
- Use bullets to list Minimum Qualifications (MQs) – all MQs must mirror those in the approved Workday position.
- Contract classified MQs must contain the exact language of the MQs on the negotiated class specifications. The exception is the type of experience required for Program Support Supervisor and Program Coordinator positions: your MQs need to be customized to reflect the needs of your specific program. Your Recruiting Office Partner can help you with this, if needed.
- Classified non-union postings must contain the desirable qualifications on the State of Washington Classified Job Specifications.
- Professional Staff MQs must include quantifiable years of education and experience only.
- Represented Civil Service Exempt MQs must contain the exact language of the MQs on the negotiated class specifications and need to define what constitutes “relevant/related” degree fields, experiences and/or credentials.
- “Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Manager.”
Consider including these optional elements:
“Additional Qualifications”
- Use bullets to list any additional qualifications – all additional qualifications must mirror those in the approved Workday position.
“Preferred Qualifications”
- Use bullets to list 3-5 any additional “nice-to-have” qualifications, experiences, skills or attributes that are preferred but not required.
“Working Conditions”
- Use bullets to list any physical, environmental and operational features affecting employees’ daily work lives — these should mirror what is in the approved Workday position.
“Application Requirement”
- If applicants must complete a cover letter, writing sample, portfolio, etc., use this section to provide clear instructions.
“Visa Sponsorship”
If the position will be open to applicants requiring an H-1B or E-3 visa, include this section header and the statement, “This recruitment is open to applicants who will require employer sponsorship for an H-1B or E-3 visa.”
“About the Team”
You may wish to share 1-2 brief paragraphs about the department/team the applicant will work with. Units may also provide a department website URL for the applicant to learn more.