Why this small section is a big deal
I recently came across a post on LinkedIn from DeArndra Hendricks, Senior Advisor and Strategist at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and it stopped me in my scroll.
She wrote:
"I might be late to the game, but I just saw my first job posting that included a ‘Day in the Life’ section, and it was a game-changer. In just 3 to 5 sentences, it painted a clear picture of what the role actually looks like day to day. Within minutes, I was able to cut through 25–30 bullet points and a generic ‘About’ section to decide whether the job was truly a fit. It honestly reminded me of an abstract of a research paper: clear, concise, and very effective."
That “research abstract” comparison is spot-on. Most job seekers skim. They don’t want to scroll through endless bullet points to figure out if a role is right for them. A “Day in the Life” section gives them the short, clear snapshot they need.
Why it works
A strong “Day in the Life” section can:
Give context – Show what the work feels like, not just what it is.
Offer clarity – Cut through laundry lists with a simple narrative.
Build connection – Help candidates picture themselves in the role.
Think of it like a movie trailer for the job—short, engaging, and enticing enough to make someone want to see the full picture.
A real-world example
After reading DeArndra’s post, I found a fantastic example in a Sprinter Health posting for a Family Nurse Practitioner.
Here’s a snippet from their “Day in the Life” section:
Commencing the day… begin your day by reviewing your case load and preparing your technology, ensuring you have all of the right tools available to service your patients.
Navigating with ease… using easy and modern technology, you will navigate through your schedule for the day and partner with our clinical in-home team members (Sprinters) that will visit each patient’s home.
Creating meaningful bonds… you will have the opportunity to make a warm and welcoming connection with a diverse range of patients as you prepare to collect relevant information and perform various services.
It works because:
It’s chronological – walking the reader from start to finish.
It’s active – using verbs like begin, navigate, create.
It’s human – making you feel the human connection behind the work.
How to add this to your job postings
Here’s a quick framework to make your own “Day in the Life” section:
Keep it short – 3–5 sentences or 4–6 short bullets.
Write in order – Start from the beginning of a typical day and move to the end.
Blend action with impact – What you do + why it matters.
Ditch the jargon – Use plain, human language.
Test and refine – See how it affects applicant quality.
Pro tip: Write your “Day in the Life” section first. Then build the rest of the job posting around it.
It’ll keep your focus on what matters most to candidates.
Your challenge this week
Take one job posting you have right now and add a “Day in the Life” section.
Put it right after your intro—before the bullets and requirements.
If you try it, send me your results. I’d love to feature your examples in a future episode of The JD Fix.
Big thanks to DeArndra for sparking this conversation and to Sprinter Health for giving us a great real-world example.
If you found this helpful, share it with someone who writes job postings—or someone who desperately needs to. And if you’re not already subscribed to The JD Fix podcast, now’s the time. You’ll never miss tips like this.
Until next time, happy hiring.
