Getting started
When you create a job, the first step is describing the role. Your job description is the foundation of your hiring process - it defines what you're looking for and helps Alva's AI suggest relevant criteria and assessments in the following steps.
If you haven't created a job yet, go to: Creating a Job in Hiring System
Adding your job description
On the Describe the Role screen, you can add your job description in several ways. You can write or paste your own text, use AI to generate one, upload a PDF file, or import from a URL.
Option 1: Write your job description manually
If you already have a job description ready, simply:
Enter a job title in the job title field
Paste or type your text directly into the text field below
Include key information such as:
Role title and summary
Main responsibilities
Required skills and experience
Click Proceed when you're done
Option 2: Use AI to generate a description
Alva's AI assistant (Architect) can generate a job description for you - either from scratch or based on notes you already have.
Starting from scratch
Enter a job title in the job title field
Click Ask Architect
Optionally, provide additional context to make the description more tailored:
Key responsibilities
Specific requirements
Team or role context
Architect will generate a draft job description
Review the output and edit as needed
Click Proceed
Starting from notes (e.g. a kickoff meeting with a hiring manager)
If you've had a startup or intake meeting with a hiring manager and jotted down notes - such as key responsibilities, must-have skills, team context, or other requirements - you can use those as a starting point:
Enter a job title in the job title field
Paste your notes directly into the text field below (they don't need to be polished)
Click Enrich with Architect
Architect will use your notes as context and generate a structured, complete job description based on what you provided
This is a great way to turn rough meeting notes into a professional job description in seconds, without starting from scratch.
💡Note: Architect uses your input - along with your organisation's Company Context (company description, values, and additional context) - to create a structured, comprehensive job description. If you haven't set up Company Context yet, the output will be more generic. You can always refine the AI-generated text before moving forward.
See Company Context in Hiring System to learn how to configure it.
Option 3: Upload a file
If you have an existing job description saved as a document:
Click the Upload file option
Select a PDF file from your computer
Alva will extract the text from the document
Review and edit if needed
Click Proceed
Option 4: Import from a job ad or ATS 
If your job description already exists online or in your ATS:
Click Fetch from a from URL
Paste the link to your job ad or ATS posting
Alva will fetch and extract the job description
Review the imported text and make any adjustments
Click Proceed
💡Note: To learn more about AI recommendations in the Hiring System, read AI recommendations in Alva's Hiring System.
Editing your job description
Regardless of which method you used, you can always:
Edit the text directly in the field
Add or remove sections
Adjust formatting
Clarify specific requirements
Take your time to ensure the description accurately reflects the role - this foundation will inform the rest of your hiring process.
Next steps
Once you click Proceed, you'll move to the next step: setting role criteria. Here, Alva will suggest relevant skills, background requirements, and traits based on your job description.
➡️ Next step: Set Role Criteria
Any Questions?
Use the chat in the bottom right corner to connect with a member of our support team.
