Job requirements

Job requirements are the qualifications, skills, experience, and characteristics an employer expects from candidates applying for a specific role.

Homebase Team

Min Read

What are job requirements?

Job requirements are the qualifications, skills, experience, and characteristics an employer expects from candidates applying for a specific role. They set the standard for what success looks like in the position and help filter out unqualified applicants.

For small business owners, job requirements are essential to making great hires. They give structure to your job postings, keep your hiring process focused, and help you attract the right people faster. When written clearly, job requirements also set the tone for expectations once someone’s hired—making onboarding smoother and reducing confusion down the road.

What to include in job requirements

Job requirements will vary by role, but here are the most common components:

Education level – High school diploma, GED, associate’s or bachelor’s degree (if relevant)
Work experience – Years of experience in a similar role or industry
Specific skills – Technical or soft skills such as proficiency in POS systems, time management, or customer service
Certifications or licenses – Such as a food handler’s card, forklift certification, or state-mandated licenses
Availability – Evening, weekend, or holiday availability, depending on your business needs
Physical requirements – Ability to lift a certain weight, stand for long periods, or work in a fast-paced environment

The clearer and more realistic your requirements, the better chance you have of attracting the right applicants.

Why job requirements matter

Job requirements aren’t just a hiring checklist—they impact your entire employee lifecycle. Here’s how:

Set expectations early – Candidates know what they’re signing up for
Reduce hiring mistakes – You’re more likely to attract qualified applicants
Improve onboarding – When new hires already meet key criteria, training goes more smoothly
Ensure legal compliance – Including necessary certifications or qualifications for regulated roles

Job requirements are more than a list—they’re your first impression with potential hires. When written well, they help you stand out to the right candidates and set the stage for a strong employee relationship.

Whether you’re hiring front-of-house staff, back-of-house support, or seasonal help, clear job requirements are a simple but powerful tool to build your team.

How to write job requirements that attract great candidates

You don’t need to overcomplicate things. Just keep it honest, clear, and concise. Here are a few tips:

Stick to what’s truly necessary – Only list must-haves, not your dream candidate’s entire wishlist
Use inclusive language – Avoid gendered language or vague phrases like “digital native” or “energetic”
Avoid jargon – Write in plain terms that make sense to someone new to your industry
Break it into bullet points – Easy to scan and more likely to hold attention

And remember—sometimes a great attitude and willingness to learn are just as valuable as years of experience.

Where job requirements show up

You’ll use job requirements in several places during the hiring process:

Job descriptions – As part of your external job ad
Interview prep – To guide your screening questions and assessments
Offer letters – To clarify what’s expected of new hires
Onboarding plans – To help structure training around skill gaps

Having consistent language across all these materials creates a smoother, more aligned hiring experience.

How Homebase helps with writing and managing job requirements

With Homebase, you can simplify the hiring process from the start. Whether you’re creating your first job post or refreshing roles for a busy season, Homebase helps you:

Use pre-built job description templates tailored to hourly roles
Customize job requirements to match your team’s needs
Post to multiple top job boards with one click
Track candidates and applications in one easy dashboard

Try Homebase hiring and onboarding to save time, stay organized, and find the right people for your team faster.

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