Job Posting Resources
Resources to Support Your Hiring Process
Whether you’re crafting a new co-op position or extending an offer, these tools are here to help. Explore the templates and guidelines designed to make writing job descriptions easy, inclusive, and effective.
download the Job description template
Sample job description
[Job Title]
Formal position title
[Start Month and Duration]
Indicate if this is a January, May, or September start and if the duration is 4-, 8-, 12- or 16-months
[Reports To]
The [job title] will report to [positions title or titles this position reports to]
[Job Overview]
Provide an overview of the role, what success in the position looks like, and how the role fits into the organization
[Salary]
Provide the hourly or monthly salary based on the number of hours worked per week/month
Responsibilities and Duties
Provide a bullet point list of the responsibilities and duties of this job ordered by importance
Provide essential duties required of job
Use full and complete sentences
Start sentences with action verb
Use present tense
Use gender-neutral language
Qualifications
Education or degree program required
Indicate specific programs of interest
Experience
Specific skills
Personal attributes
Helpful to define
Physical abilities (if applicable) – example must be able to lift 25 lb boxes
For positions that require moderate physical activity, it is helpful to define activity parameters
Licenses (if applicable) –example must hold a BC Class 5 Drivers License
This is applicable for student who will need a vehicle for the job or be required to drive a fleet vehicle
Work authorization / Security Requirements (if applicable)*.Example: must be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident
*This is often tied to government funding or work that requires a specific security clearance.
Sample Offer Letter
[Insert company letterhead or branding]
[Date]
[Recipient Name]
[Street Address]
[City, Province, Postal Code]
[Phone Number]
Dear [Name of Recipient]
[Introduction—State the company’s name and advise them of a job offer. Provide them details about the position, the job title, department, and who they will be reporting to.]
[Confirm the salary details and whether the salary is hourly or monthly and what it is based on (35, 37.5 or 40 hours a week. Confirm the details of their vacation (see provincial Employment Standards Act). Confirm the start date and duration of contract (4-, 8-, or 12-, or 16- months)
[Let them know by what date they need to respond to the offer (and who they should notify)—note: students in the co-op program have two business days to accept or decline a job offer]
I have read and understand the terms of appointment set out in this letter and I accept the above offer of employment.
Sincerely,
[Your name, title]
[Enclosures if applicable]
Writing an Inclusive Job Description
Writing a barrier-free job description includes a number of factors that should be considered to ensure your organization is speaking to a broad audience and receiving the most potential qualified applicants for that role.
Incorporating diversity and inclusion into the job description will not only expand your potential talent pool, but will also open the conversation and door to new perspectives, energy, and ideas within your organization.
Below you will find our top 5 considerations and recommendations when crafting an inclusive, barrier-free job description to keep in mind:
Reduce your wish list and feature essential skills
Pare down the ‘nice-to-haves’ and focus on essential job requirements.
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A long list of requirements may discourage potential applicants from applying.
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This can lead to self-selection out of the process—even by highly qualified candidates from diverse genders, races, and backgrounds.
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If you’d like to include some ‘nice-to-haves’, consider phrasing them as:
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“Bonus points for…”
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“Familiarity with X is a bonus
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Highlight your organization’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace
The job description is often a student’s first impression of your organization.
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Your brand messaging reflects your values—today’s students are especially attuned to diversity and inclusion.
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Highlighting your commitment to diversity and inclusion within the job description can make your organization stand out.
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Use your own words to authentically convey this commitment.
Simplify or remove unnecessary industry-specific jargon where possible
According to a study by Business in the Community (BITC) jargon is a major barrier for young people applying to entry-level roles .
Unfamiliar terms can leave students feeling:
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Intimidated
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Confused
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Less confident in their ability to meet the job requirements
This may cause qualified applicants to self-select out and apply elsewhere.
Keep language simple and describe responsibilities in clear, accessible terms.
Use impartial, inclusive, and gender-neutral language
The language used in your job description can influence both the number and quality of applicants.
Avoid gendered or biased terms such as:
- “He/She”
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“Guru” or “Ninja”
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Traits typically associated with a specific gender
Use simple, straightforward language to:
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Promote an inclusive and welcoming work environment
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Ensure no candidate feels excluded from the role or organization
Consider emphasizing job-specific achievements
Students engage in work-integrated learning to build skills and learn from industry professionals.
Clearly outlining job-specific goals and key takeaways helps students understand what they’ll gain from the experience.
Transparency about learning opportunities:
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Supports student decision-making
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Demonstrates your organization’s commitment to growth and development
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Fosters an inclusive, supportive environment where learning is valued
Have questions?
If there’s something you’re unclear on or would like to connect with a Program Coordinator, contact the Co-op Program Office.
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