We’ve all been there. You’ve got an open role, you're swamped, and you need to get a job description (JD) out the door. So you pull up the last one you used, change the title, tweak a bullet point or two, and hit “post.” Then you wait. And you get… crickets. Or worse, a flood of applications that are so far off the mark you wonder if they even read the title.
For years, I've told clients that their traffic problem isn't always about SEO or ad spend. Sometimes, it's the destination itself. Your job description is the landing page for a candidate's potential new career. If it's vague, boring, or full of corporate jargon, they're going to bounce faster than a visitor on a site with a dozen pop-ups.
There's even data to back this up. Some folks over at LinkedIn found that 83% of job seekers say a clear job description is the most important thing they look for. So, yeah, it matters. A lot. Which brings me to this neat little tool I’ve been playing with: RateMyJD.
What in the World is RateMyJD?
At its core, RateMyJD is an AI-powered tool designed to do one thing: stop you from writing terrible job descriptions. You feed it your JD, and its AI brain chews on it for a moment before spitting out a grade and suggestions. Simple as that.
What caught my eye is that it's powered by Dover, a company that's pretty deep in the recruiting tech space. That gives it a bit of credibility right off the bat—it’s not just some weekend project built on a whim. It feels like it's built from a place of understanding the actual pain of hiring.
The tool offers you two distinct flavors of feedback, and this is where the fun begins.
The Good, The Bad, and The AI: A First Look
The interface is clean. Minimalist, even. You get a box for your email, a big text area for your job description, and two big buttons that define the whole experience.
Visit RateMyJD
The "Rate My JD" Mode: Your Friendly AI Assistant
This is the sensible, constructive mode. Think of it as a helpful colleague who gently points out, “Hey, you might want to mention the tech stack,” or, “Did you forget to talk about the company culture?” It scans your text and gives you actionable advice on what's missing. It’ll often suggest adding sections on compensation (a huge one!), what a typical day looks like, or the specific qualifications you're looking for. It’s practical, helpful, and exactly what you'd expect from a tool like this.
The "Roast My JD" Mode: When You Need Brutal Honesty
And then there's this. Oh, this is my favorite part. The ‘Roast my JD’ button is for when you're ready to have your ego checked at the door. It’s the Gordon Ramsay of HR tech. It’s that one friend you go to for advice who has zero filter. The feedback is sarcastic, witty, and sometimes stings a little. But behind the humor is some genuinely sharp insight.
A roast might say something like, “‘Fast-paced environment?’ Is that code for ‘we’re understaffed and you’ll be doing three jobs?’” While it makes you chuckle, it also makes you think. Am I using empty cliches? Is my JD just a collection of red flags disguised as corporate-speak? For anyone who's a bit thick-skinned, this mode is not only hilarious but incredibly effective at cutting through the fluff.
Does It Actually Help You Hire Better People?
So, beyond the novelty, does this thing work? In my experience, the biggest hurdle in hiring isn't a lack of people, but a lack of the right people applying. A well-crafted job description is your first and most powerful filter.
RateMyJD forces you to be more specific. By pointing out what's missing, it pushes you to define the role more clearly—not just for the candidate, but for yourself. When you add details about compensation, career growth, and daily responsibilities, you're not just filling space. You're answering the unspoken questions that every top candidate has. You're selling the role, not just listing requirements.
The result? You might see a slight increase in the total number of applications. But more importantly, you should see a significant jump in the quality and relevance of those applications. That means less time sifting through resumes that don’t fit, and more time talking to people who could actually be a great hire. That's a huge win for any hiring manager or small business owner.
The Potential Pitfalls: Where the AI Might Fumble
Alright, let's ground ourselves. No tool is perfect. The effectiveness of RateMyJD is tied directly to the quality of its AI. While it seems pretty well-trained on modern, especially tech-focused roles (the examples on the site are from OpenAI, Stripe, and HubSpot, after all), I do wonder how it would handle a very niche industrial job. Or a creative role where the vibe is more important than a list of technical skills.
The AI might suggest adding sections that feel too corporate for a funky startup, or it might miss the subtle language that attracts a specific type of professional. It’s a fantastic starting point and a brilliant editor, but it’s not a replacement for human intuition. You still need to be the final judge of what best represents your company.
And, of course, the ‘roast mode’. While I personally love it, I can see it being a bit much for some. If you're already feeling stressed about hiring, a sarcastic AI might not be what you need. Know thyself.
So, How Much Does This Magic Cost?
This is the part where I usually look at pricing tiers and break down the value proposition. But here's the thing: I couldn't find a pricing page. As of right now, RateMyJD appears to be a completely free tool.
My educated guess? It's a brilliant piece of marketing for Dover's main recruiting services. It's a lead magnet. They provide a genuinely useful tool for free, demonstrate their expertise in the hiring space, and get their name in front of the exact people who might one day pay for their full suite of products. It's a classic SaaS marketing play, and frankly, I respect it. For the user, it means you get all this value with no credit card required.
Who Should Be Using RateMyJD?
So who is this really for? I see a few key groups getting a ton of value from this:
- Startup Founders and Hiring Managers: You're busy, you wear multiple hats, and you don't have a dedicated HR team to write perfect JDs. This is your new best friend.
- Recruiters: Even seasoned pros can benefit from a second set of eyes. Use it to refine your JDs before sending them to clients or posting them online.
- Anyone new to hiring: If you're just starting to build a team, this tool is an amazing crash course in what makes a job description compelling.
Who might not need it? Massive corporations with rigid, legally-vetted JD templates probably won't be able to use this. But then again, maybe their JDs are the ones that need roasting the most.
Frequently Asked Questions About RateMyJD
- What is RateMyJD, really?
- It's a free, AI-driven web tool that analyzes your job descriptions. It gives you constructive suggestions for improvement and also has a fun 'roast' feature for more direct, humorous feedback to help you attract better candidates.
- Is RateMyJD free to use?
- Yes, as of now, the tool is completely free to use. It's likely a way for its parent company, Dover, to provide value and introduce people to their brand.
- What's the difference between "Rate" and "Roast" mode?
- "Rate" mode is constructive and professional, offering straightforward suggestions on what to add. "Roast" mode uses humor and sarcasm to point out cliches, vagueness, and potential red flags in your writing. One is a helpful assistant, the other is a brutally honest friend.
- Who is behind RateMyJD?
- The tool is powered by Dover, a company that specializes in recruiting software and services. This connection gives the tool a solid foundation in the hiring industry.
- Can RateMyJD help with SEO for job postings?
- Indirectly, yes. While it's not a keyword tool, by helping you create a clearer, more detailed, and higher-quality job description, it increases the chances that your posting will perform well on job boards like LinkedIn and Indeed. These platforms often prioritize well-written content that provides a good user experience.
- Is the feedback from RateMyJD always right?
- It's a fantastic guide, but not gospel. The AI is trained on a lot of data, but it doesn't know the specific nuance of your company culture or a highly specialized role. Use its advice as a strong suggestion, but always apply your own judgment.
Final Thoughts on Shaking Up Your JDs
In a world where talent is tight, you can’t afford to be lazy with your job descriptions. It's the very first handshake with a potential new team member. A bad one sends all the wrong signals.
RateMyJD is one of those rare tools that is simple, effective, and genuinely useful. And it's free. The combination of serious feedback and playful roasting is a brilliant touch that makes the tedious task of writing a JD feel a little less like a chore. If you're posting a job anytime soon, I seriously recomend giving it a spin. At the very least, the roast mode will give you a good laugh. And at best, it might just help you find your next superstar.
Reference and Sources
- RateMyJD Tool: ratemyjd.com
- Powered By: Dover
- Job Description Statistic Source (SHRM citing LinkedIn): SHRM - Clear Job Descriptions Are Critical
