Hiring Process

Recruitment Fails: Bad Job Descriptions Don’t Attract The Best Talent

Written by mrafeeq · 4 min read >
Bad Job Description
Bad Job Description

Photo by Jen Theodore on Unsplash

When making a job post, it is essential to load a job description that accurately describes the work we need to do, the rewards we offer, and the attributes of the type of person we can consider. If we fail to get this right, we could end up with a pile of unsuitable CVS. On the other hand, in a worst-case scenario, we could drop our guard and let a square peg in a round hole slip through.

The Two Main Things a Good Job Description Achieves

When we post a job on the internet, we place our hopes in a heavily traded, congested space where everybody is trying to attract attention. It is a bit like being in a busy restaurant with too few waitrons and wanting our bill to check out.

Your job description must instantly attract the right people’s attention because they will be hurriedly scanning down the previews in search of what they want. You are not the only person competing for their attention. Make your offer exciting so people will want to bid for your position.

Once applied for, a job description becomes the applicant’s expectations and the basis for an employment contract if they are successful. Even if you replace it with a formal document, it still stands as the basis for choosing each other.

Your job description must include the essential fields of job title, duties and responsibilities, skills and competencies required, reporting lines/working relationships, and the remuneration package.

Your Mind Set As the Employer

If you hire someone and later have to dismiss them for failed performance and recover the situation afterwards, you will find sufficient reasons to take your time and get the job description right.

Remember, your goal is to attract applications with CVS attached that match your requirements for the task. The only way to do this is to write a job description that accurately reflects your needs.

A Perfect Job Description to Attract Good CVS

We can blame the internet for instant gratification, but our eyes glaze over after eight seconds, just one second less than this handsome fellow. A practical job description on a job board needs an overview.

Part One — The Overview

We hook our bait and catch our fish, but do not tell the goldfish, please. Instead, we need to analyse carefully what is essential to the average applicant in the skill level we want to snipe. Include a summary of the following:

  1. The individual tasks the person will have to perform
  2. The procedure they will follow to achieve the outputs
  3. Why the job exists, and what are the responsibilities are
  4. How the position relates to others in the company
  5. The qualifications you expect the person to possess

TIP: Do not be too prescriptive. If your requirements are too specific, nobody may apOn the other hand, you. You want somebody to increase the task and enrich your business and themselves.

Part Two — The Main Description

If an applicant gets this far, you have their attention. This is not the time to waffle on. Get to the point quickly and effectively because the interview has just begun, and YOU are the subject! Come across in a friendly way as a nice person to work with. Touch on all these bases:

  1. Job Title — Make it sound good so the person is proud to tell friends
  2. Purpose Statement — What do you expect the employee to contribute
  3. Job Summary — A broad overview of points four to seven below
  4. Function and Scope — A summary of points five to seven below
  5. Critical Duties — The critical success factors to thrive in the job
  6. Responsibilities — List these in descending order of importance to you
  7. Relationships — Position in the organisation and work interactions

The Worst Job Listings And Why They’re Terrible

Harmful job listings are standard on job boards, but what causes them wrong?

Harmful job listings lack information, organisation, or miscommunication between the employer and the applicant. Unfortunately, these listings are posted often without considering how they can better serve applicants.

Lack of information can be addressed by providing details about the position offered or their skills.

The organisation is vital because it makes it easy to find the right job for you. Never waste an applicant’s time with a long list of requirements that have nothing daily to weed out people who don’t meet all criteria. That’s not fair!

Job Description Mistake #1 — Too General

Job descriptions are the first impression of the company to the candidates. A good job description should highlight why a candidate wants to work for that company. A lousy job description does not represent what it takes to succeed.

Lousy job descriptions are hard to read or too general, making them seem like they don’t care about the people who will be reading them.

A clear and concise description can make it easier for candidates to decide on their careers.

Job Description Mistake #2 — Poorly Written & Poor Grammar

Poor grammar and poorly written job descriptions are among employers’ top mistakes. This is because candidates want to know if they will enjoy working for a company and with the people, they will be working with.

The first impression is essential, and a poor first impression can lead to a wrong overall impression of a company. Poor grammar and writing skills show employers don’t care about their applicants’ well-being or future satisfaction.

Poor grammar in job descriptions shows that an employer does not care about their applicant’s well-being or future satisfaction.

Job Description Mistake #3 — Generic & Boring Content 

The content should be engaging. It should make the candidate want to read on and show them what you do. You can create the perfect job description with thorough research, planning, and thoughtful content.

Job descriptions are essential marketing tools for any company hiring new talent. Therefore, ensuring that your job descriptions are engaging and of good quality is vital.

The Dos of Writing Great Job Descriptions

A job description is not just an advertisement. It’s a document that provides the position details, requirements, and how to apply for it. A job description should meet three criteria:

1. The reader should be excited about the position

2. The reader should know if they are qualified for the position

3. The reader should know how to apply for it

Furthermore, employers can make their listings stand out by following these dos:

– Include what your company does or sells in your listing; what makes you different from other companies?

– Add a personable touch to your listing with descriptive sentences

– Personalise your messages to qualified applicants who are not a match for the open position

Finally, It is a Matter of Style

We mentioned earlier that a job searcher that reads your job description is interviewing you. If you are unsure, have someone check your writing. There are loads of freelancer sites that could assist you in writing a good description and attracting a good CVS.

Your hiring process is only as good as the people you hire. So, spend time on your job descriptions to attract better candidates and know what it’s like to work at your company. We can provide that for you if you want help writing a great job description! Our team of experts are ready and waiting to partner with you in this endeavour- just let us know how we can be of service. It is essential to ensure that your job descriptions are engaging and of good quality to avoid making these common mistakes. These include using vague language, not including the necessary salary or location, and not creating an inviting tone.

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