Finding qualified candidates that are ready and willing to work can be a challenge. A poorly written job description makes it harder on recruiters and could potentially limit the candidate pool and make even the most qualified people not interested in applying. Read the four tips below to help you create a job description that will attract the best and most qualified candidates.
1. Use Clear and Concise Job Titles
According to a Monster.com survey of 2,030 job seekers, 64% stated they would not respond to an ad or job description that had a poorly written or confusing job title. The job title is the first thing potential candidates will see when searching for a new job.
To ensure you are reaching qualified candidates, use simple, commonly searched for words to allow maximum interaction with your ad. Using keywords specific to your company will receive less traction because the job seeker will not be searching for those words specifically.
2. Avoid Using Jargon
When creating a job description, it is important to communicate clearly, using words everyone will understand. Since most jargon comes from your company’s vernacular, it is not realistic to expect potential candidates to know what you are referring to. A Business Insider study found that using jargon in a job description deters job seekers in the 16-24 age range from applying. This specific demographic usually includes people who are searching for their first job and not having significant experience as a point of reference, the business lingo can them feeling intimidated or unqualified for the position.
By communicating clearly and using words familiar to everyone, you are expanding your candidate pool which will in turn allow more applications to funnel in.
3. Sell the Opportunity
The job description is your opportunity to entice job seekers to want to work for your company. Additionally, the words you use to describe each open position should make potential hires want to continue reading to see what the job entails, as well as what it has to offer them.
Instead of starting your job descriptions with information about the organization, start the job description by speaking directly to the job seeker. Use an attention grabber to hold their focus long enough where they will want to continue reading the entirety of the description. This attention grabber should tell the job seeker exactly what kind of person you are looking for, the core responsibilities of the job, and why they should want to apply for the job.
4. Formatting
The format of the job description is just as important as everything written in the description. If the formatting is displeasing to the eye, or hard to follow, you could lose the job seeker’s attention within seconds. A study conducted by Forbes showed that it only took applicants between 49-77 seconds to decide whether a job is right for them. This has a lot to do with the way the job description is formatted. If the format is pleasing to the eye, and easy to follow, it is more likely that the candidate will read through its contents entirely.
Be cautious when copying and pasting your job description into different editors or platforms as the format could be different for each. Bullet points are an excellent way to highlight the requirements and responsibilities of a position while being clear and direct. This allows the reader to get the information they need without having to read through a wordy paragraph. Your job descriptions should be at least 150 words, but no longer than 660 words. The key is to find the perfect balance between providing enough detail, so candidates understand the role and your company while keeping your description concise.
We know that finding good, qualified candidates who are ready to work can a challenge. By using these four tips, you, and your hiring managers, can increase your likelihood of finding the right candidates for your positions. Malone Workforce Solutions wants to make sure that you are maximizing your recruiting efforts and we are here as your consultative partner to help you master your recruiting approach and connect you with the right talent. Contact us today to explore more ways we can help.
