Overwhelmed by an influx of unqualified applicants for your job opening? Shocked by the fact that nobody is responding to a job posting you placed? The problem might not be with the candidates. It might be with your job description. That’s right, as a Dade County staffing firm, we see that sometimes the job description – from the way it’s written to where it’s posted – is the culprit when it’s not delivering good results.
So what are some mistakes you could be making and how can you avoid them in the future? Here’s a look:
Mistake #1. Not thinking the position through.
You might think you simply need to hire a receptionist. But is that really all you need? For instance, do you really need an MS Excel guru who can speedily create spreadsheets? Or do you need someone who is highly organized and meticulous, who can keep you on track with your daily schedule?
Whatever your needs, if you’re not clearly communicating them in your job description, you’re not going to get the kinds of resumes you want. So take a step back and really think about the must-have, mission-critical skills and traits your new hire will need to be successful in the position.
Mistake #2. Not being specific enough.
You might be tempted to say that you need someone with “strong computer skills.” But if what you really need is someone who is an Excel expert, than say that. The more specific you are, the better your results will be.
Mistake #3. Not including critical elements of the job description.
Effective job descriptions typically contain the following elements:
- Job title
- Overview of your company
- Summary of the job’s tasks and responsibilities
- Required skills/education/experience
- Skills/education/experience you’d like to have, but that aren’t required
- Call to action
Mistake #4. Creating a job description that is too long.
Nothing turns off a candidate faster than a three-page job description. By being overly verbose, you will miss out on enticing qualified professionals to apply because they will be completely overwhelmed with your description. So be concise.
Mistake #5. Creating a job description that is too short.
On the flip side, you also need to include some detail. Simply stating the job title and including a call to action isn’t enough. If you want to get qualified candidates, then define the position, its responsibilities, and the type of candidate you’re looking for.
Mistake #6. Not being accurate in your job description.
When writing a job description, don’t exaggerate the importance of the job. You’ll simply breed disappointment and resentment when candidates come to interview and learn more about the position.
Mistake #7. Not posting your job description in the right places.
If you’re looking for a very specific kind of candidate, posting your job description on a general job board might not be the right place. You might, for instance, want to post the description on industry or association websites, or in their publications.
If you’d like some additional help writing your job description, or finding qualified and dependable candidates to interview, please contact Future Force Personnel. As a Dade County staffing firm, we can source, screen, interview, and test candidates on your behalf – so you get the high quality employees that can help you achieve your business goals.