How to Attract Top Talent with Job Descriptions
We all know that job descriptions are important. They help to set the tone for what we’re looking for in a candidate and they give us a way to screen out people who don’t fit the bill. But too often, job descriptions are dry, boring, and full of jargon that only serves to turn off potential applicants.
If we want to attract the best talent, we need to do a better job of selling the role and the company. We need to make sure that our job descriptions are clear, concise, and interesting; otherwise, we’re just going to continue to have a hard time attracting any talent.
Why Job Descriptions Matter
Is talent in short supply? You got that right! Before you start commenting on how wrong I am about the job descriptions, hear me out.
You’re absolutely right; a good job description is not the be-all and end-all of attracting top talent. It is, however, a key part of the puzzle. Let me explain why.
A well-written job description will not only help to ensure that you are attracting the right candidates, but it will also help to weed out those who are not a good fit for the role.
In other words, a good job description is a valuable tool for both attracting and vetting talent. Of course, it is just one piece of the puzzle, but it is an important one. So, if you’re looking to attract top talent, make sure your job descriptions are up to the task.
A job description is often the first thing that candidates see when they are applying for a job or when a recruiter reaches out to them with a new opportunity. No matter how good the message from the recruiter is, if they include a link to the role they are presenting and the role is poorly written, a candidate will never reply. Why would they if you are not excited about your job description either?
How to Fix It
Shopping lists are long and tedious. They are a necessary evil that we all have to deal with from time to time. But when it comes to job descriptions, simplicity is the key. Hiring managers should keep their list of requirements short and sweet. There is no need to include every little detail.
The goal should be to attract qualified candidates, not to scare them away. Additionally, hiring managers should avoid using jargon or overly technical language. Instead, they should focus on clearly communicating what the job entails and what the ideal candidate looks like.
If You Do Not Know How Use Technology
Look, if you don’t know how to describe your role, you’re not in a good position. You can’t just go around spitting out a bunch of random words and think that’s going to do the trick. You need to be able to sit down and really think about what it is you do and why it matters.
But if you’re having trouble, there’s no shame in reaching out for help. There are people who specialize in this sort of thing and they can definitely give you a hand. People like Mitch Sullivan and others could help you to turn your job descriptions into something that people really want to read.
Of course, you can also use A.I. to get inspiration for how to make your job descriptions more appealing.
For this example I took the random role “Manager, Engineering Shared Finance” I found on Indeed and rewrote it via an A.I. tool called Jasper.
Responsibilities (original)
As a member of the leadership team, you’re there to empower your team and aid them in implementing and influencing a platform based on the latest tools, principles, patterns and practices. The team is responsible for multiple critical applications.
Responsibilities (rewritten by Jasper A.I.)
As a member of the leadership team, you’re there to empower your team and aid them in implementing and influencing a platform based on the latest tools, principles, patterns and practices. The team is responsible for multiple critical applications, and you play a vital role in ensuring that they are able to meet the ever-changing demands of the business. With your help, the team is able to stay ahead of the curve, reach its full potential and make a lasting impact on the organization.
Not happy with the result? Just change a tone, click “generate new version” and that’s it.
Of course, not everyone will like the rewritten version, but when you do not know how to describe your role, A.I. could help you.
It could also be used as inspiration that will help you to look at your description from a different angle. If you are serious about writing good Job Descriptions, you can also reach out to people like Mitch Sullivan who could teach you how to write JDs better.
The Impact of A.I. Tools
These A.I. tools are already impacting how we work and we should embrace them instead of fighting them. Of course, they are not the silver bullet that will magically make our boring jobs more appealing, but they can help with other areas where we are struggling. For example, A.I. technology can help with SEO, scriptwriting, and product descriptions.
You may remember those “never happened” posts: “I hired a candidate with a five-year employment gap … and he was the best employee….” If you are a fan of these posts, A.I. could help you with that too.
You can type your query in 25+ languages and get results in 25+ languages. These tools like Jasper A.I. will turn your idea into a story, even if you add your text with typos or incorrect grammar.
The Importance of Job Descriptions
Job descriptions are important communication tools that allow both employees and candidates to clearly understand the essential duties, required competencies, educational credentials, and experience necessary for the role. A well-written job description will help to ensure that the right candidate is hired for the role and that they know what is expected of them once they start.
Furthermore, a clear job description can help to avoid misunderstandings and conflicts down the line. For all these reasons, it is important to take the time to craft a well-written and accurate job description.
Conclusion
The disillusionment that we all need to accept is that a job posting describes a fictional and often unrealistic ideal. It’s not an accurate portrayal of the person who will eventually be hired. The discrepancy between the ideal and the reality can be frustrating for everyone involved in the hiring process. We should always try to simplify our job descriptions and try to make them more compelling as they are the first thing candidates see when they are interacting with your company.
If you’re stuck, don’t just sit there spinning your wheels. Seek out the assistance of those who know how to get the job done right or try tools like Jasper A.I. These tools will not fix your job description with one click, but they are here to inspire you and show you that your boring job description could be more interesting.
Trust me; it’ll make a world of difference.
Last Updated on January 8, 2024