This first part of our practical guide walks you through how to write a job description that attracts the right candidates and where to advertise to find talent. In Part 2, we’ll cover how to test candidates to make sure they have the right qualities for the role. 

 

1. Crafting The Perfect Bid Writer Job Description

Let’s be honest: there are a lot of badly written job descriptions out there. They’re packed with corporate jargon, vague promises, and pointless buzzwords. But this does more than just confuse candidates – it sends the message that you don’t value good writing, which is a dealbreaker when hiring a great bid writer. 

A poorly written job description will either attract the wrong people or turn away the right ones. Here’s how to ensure your ad is clear, persuasive, and effective. 

Be Clear About What A Bid Writer’s Job Actually Is 

Get straight to the point. Explain what the candidate will do, who they’ll work with, and what success looks like. Avoid phrases like “work cross-functionally in an inter-departmental team” without explaining what that means day-to-day. 

For example, here’s a clear job description: 

As a Bid Writer, you’ll be responsible for crafting persuasive, high-quality responses to client tenders. You’ll work closely with our sales, legal, and finance teams to ensure bids are not only compliant but compelling. You’ll turn technical information into a clear narrative that resonates with the client and helps us win contracts. 

This kind of clarity shows that you value good writing – an essential signal when you’re trying to attract the best bid writers. 

Focus on the Skills You Need 

Be upfront about the skills and qualities that will define success in the role. Here’s what to highlight: 

Writing and Storytelling: Bid writing is about turning complex information into a compelling story. Your candidate should be able to simplify technical jargon and craft narratives that persuade. 

  • Example: “You’ll need to turn technical details into clear, compelling narratives that win over clients.” 

Adaptability: Bid writing is a dynamic job. Requirements change quickly, and feedback from stakeholders can be conflicting. The ideal candidate must handle these shifting priorities. 

  • Example: “You’ll adapt quickly to feedback from various departments, ensuring the bid aligns with client and internal expectations.” 

Attention to Detail: Small mistakes can cost big contracts. Highlight the need for precision. 

  • Example: “You’ll thrive on accuracy and perfection, ensuring every bid is polished, compliant, and error-free.” 

Resilience and Stamina: Bid writing can be relentless, but the satisfaction of winning a contract is worth it. 

  • Example: “This role requires someone who can handle tight deadlines without sacrificing quality.” 

 

2. Where To Find Great Bid Writers

The bid writing profession can be a closed shop, with lots of professionals sticking to familiar processes and templates. As a result, some bid writers are average or uninspired. But outside this pool, there’s a world of potentially great writers with transferable skills who haven’t yet entered the field. 

Casting a wider net is key to finding both experienced professionals and fresh bid writing talent. 

LinkedIn 

LinkedIn is always a strong option for reaching professionals. But don’t just post a generic job ad – be specific about the skills you need and open to where those skills might come from. For example, someone with experience in marketing, journalism, or technical writing might not have bid-writing experience but could bring valuable storytelling and persuasion skills to the table. 

To expand your reach, consider posting in diversity-focused groups like Women in Business or Diverse Professionals to attract candidates from underrepresented backgrounds. 

Experienced Bid Writers and Industry-Specific Recruiters 

For seasoned professionals, industry-specific bid writing recruitment agencies can be a goldmine. These agencies specialise in placing candidates in proposal management, business development, and procurement roles. 

Some recommended bid writing recruiters include: 

  • Bid Solutions: Specialising in bid and proposal recruitment across industries like IT, engineering, and business services. 
  • Carter Murray: Focuses on recruitment for sales, marketing, and business development roles, with an emphasis on writing skills. 

Posting on specialised job boards like the APMP job board is also a great way to target candidates already in the bid management space. 

Networking 

Industry events and conferences are a great way to meet experienced professionals. Attend events like APMP conferences or public procurement webinars to build connections with potential candidates who understand the bid-writing landscape. 

 

3.Charityworks and Graduate Schemes

For roles in the public sector or charity work, Charityworks is a great platform to find socially conscious graduates who often have strong writing skills and passion for working on impactful projects. 

You can also tap into university career services and graduate schemes to find fresh bid writing talent. If you’re looking for entry-level candidates, the Bid and Proposal Coordinator Apprenticeship Level 3 is a great way to bring in junior bid writing talent and help them develop essential bid-writing skills under experienced professionals. Apprenticeships offer a hands-on approach, allowing candidates to learn bid coordination while gaining real-world experience. 

 

4. Walking the Walk on Diversity

If you want to bring in underrepresented voices, you need to do more than just say you value diversity. You need to be proactive. Get involved with networks that support LGBTQ+, BAME, and neurodiverse individuals. Bid writing talent is everywhere, but if you only advertise in traditional spaces, you’ll keep getting the same results. 

Consider advertising on platforms like Diversifying.io and BAME Recruitment. And don’t just post the job – engage with diverse communities, attend their events, and show that your company values diverse perspectives. 

 

Enhancing Your Bid Teams Capabilities with AI

Hiring a great bid writer isn’t just about finding someone who can write. It’s about finding a storyteller, a collaborator, and someone who can thrive under pressure. By crafting a clear, persuasive job description and advertising in the right places, you’ll attract candidates who bring fresh perspectives and creative thinking to your bids. 

But what if you could go beyond traditional hiring processes and make bid writing even more efficient? With AutogenAI, you can enhance your team’s bid writing capabilities, providing real-time feedback on writing quality and helping your writers create more persuasive, competitive bids. AutogenAI’s tools can support both experienced professionals and new talent, making it easier to win contracts and streamline the bid process. 

Start using AutogenAI today to take your bid writing team to the next level. 

 

In Part 2, we’ll cover how to test candidates for the qualities and skills that make a great bid writer – from handling feedback to writing under pressure.