The Importance of a job description & words to avoid

Wording in job descriptions can be the very reason you are failing to attract talent to apply. Some wording can translate very negatively in today’s world and put potential candidates off applying, with many readily used terms deemed as red flags for your workplace culture.

You could be doing all things behind the scenes to create an inclusive and diverse business and environment for your employees, but if your job descriptions are not balancing what you are trying to implement, you will run into problems attracting new talent.

Make sure all your communication internally and externally matches that of your vision and your commitment to the Wellbeing Promise.

Words to avoid, which will have a negative influence and are deemed a red flag include:

A job description should be deemed as one of the most valuable documents your business should invest in.

Job descriptions are one of the businesses more important resources and should be reviewed each time before it goes live. If you are using year old job adverts, you will inevitably have problems attracting talent in todays competitive marketplace.

Tips for delivering a successful job description:

• Don’t target job adverts to a certain age group.
• Don’t discriminate against religion / gender etc.
• Keep words simple and to the point.
• Don’t waffle, each word should be calculated in line with the job and workplace culture.
• Add bullet points where possible and keep concise.
• Ensure your job description is delivered in an easy-to-read font and layout with bold headings.
• Avoid sugar coating and creating a false narrative of the job / company.
• Speak to the candidate through your job description and tell them why this job is for them.
• Be welcoming and if possible, avoid corporate jargon.
• It’s always worth asking the person who is currently in the job to read the job description. That is your greatest tool to gain a true reflection of the daily operation of the job.
• When listing qualifications, consider if these are essential for the role. If not, remove. Don’t deter candidates from applying.
• Don’t ask potential employee to submit their salary expectations. This will put candidates off. Undertake industry research and have this listed on your job description.
• Transparency is key!

At all times it imperative you remain neutral, and language reads in line with the Equality Employer legislation. Companies must showcase they are open to inclusivity, diversion, and equal representation within the company.

The best job descriptions are tailored to the wording of your brand and company culture, this will attract the right talent and culture to your business. Use your USP’s to set you aside from other companies and adapt phrases that suits your culture – transparency is key with each word you write for the success of your recruitment campaign.

Candidates are more likely to hit apply to a job advert that matches their vision and values, so it’s paramount you let candidates know what the job and your company is all about.

It can’t be emphasised enough, transparency is key!