Writing a Problem Statement That Attracts the Right Candidates
Move beyond traditional job descriptions to create problem statements that attract qualified candidates.
What Is a Problem Statement?
A problem statement clearly defines the business challenge or objective that the new hire is expected to address.
Unlike traditional job descriptions that focus on responsibilities or required years of experience, problem statements focus on what needs to be solved and what success looks like.
Problem Statement vs. Job Description
| Job Description | Problem Statement |
|---|---|
| Lists duties and qualifications | Describes the business need |
| Often copied/pasted across roles | Tailored to the team's specific challenge |
| Focuses on inputs (skills, tools, etc.) | Focuses on outcomes and objectives |
| Hard to match candidates accurately | Easier to match based on experience |
Why Problem Statements Matter
People with relevant experience self-identify
Helps hiring managers, HR, and finance agree on the need
A clearly stated problem helps leadership understand why the hire is necessary
You define success upfront, which improves retention and performance
How to Write an Effective Problem Statement in Vetta
- Start with the business context – What's the team or company trying to achieve?
- Define the obstacle – What challenge is getting in the way?
- Describe the desired outcome – What will success look like?
- Specify constraints – Are there timelines, tools, or collaboration dynamics to consider?
Example:
Problem Statement Example
We need to increase engagement with our onboarding platform for small provider offices, which currently has a 40% drop-off rate within the first 2 weeks. We're looking for someone who can rework the first-time user experience, improve email communication workflows, and align with our customer success team to reduce churn.
Vetta Helps You Translate JD to Problem Statement
If you upload a job description, Vetta will guide you through a short process to translate it into a problem statement. You decide what stays private and what appears in the public-facing summary for candidates.
💡 Key Insight
This is not just hiring tech—it's a tool for justifying headcount, improving match quality, and accelerating decision-making across your team.
Want help crafting your first one? Our team is happy to guide you.