It’s not always easy finding the right candidate for a position (although here at Asset Recruitment, we aim to make it as easy as possible!). With numerous roles on the market at any one time, and many suitable candidates already gainfully employed, the process of attracting a new team member can be a test in patience for any employer.
But there is a way to kick start that process and it’s all about first impressions – the position description.
Make a great first impression
Consider this… the most suitable candidate for the role might never have heard of your company, but the position description they come across on the job seeking platform they’re scrolling through is enough to stop them in their tracks.
That’s the art of a great job description and it starts with a few opening words.
Amy Sutton, Permanent Recruitment Specialist at Asset Recruitment, says the best position descriptions prioritise clarity over cleverness to communicate the role on offer. “There are certainly similar roles in every organisation but when we’re recruiting, it can often be tempting to refer to that role as something a little different. If candidates have to stop and try and understand what the role is you’re advertising, it’s already in the too hard basket.”
Tip #1: Use terminology that clearly states what role you’re advertising and populate it with keywords to ensure your job description appears in search engines.
Create a sense of the new
There’s an excitement associated with job hunting. When candidates are looking for a new role, there’s a sense of a new start, new opportunities, something that’s a little bit different and a change to the norm. The art of a good position description is capturing that excitement.
“Create a sense of what life is like in your organisation, the team culture, the benefits,” says Amy. “Some of this can be stated within the job description, but you can also give potential candidates a feel for your workplace by the language you use.”
Tip #2: Use an active voice in your position descriptions to convey a sense of the new.
Clearly state the why
Candidates want to know their employment is worthwhile and that the role they’re applying for brings value to an organisation. Make sure it’s clear why this job exists, what the responsibilities are, and what contribution it will make to the business, wider team culture, clients and customers, and society in general.
“More and more candidates are seeking roles that have a purpose,” explains Amy. “Of course, that purpose will be different for each candidate and each organisation, but when there is an alignment of values, that’s when great hires are made.”
Tip #3: State the WHY of the job and clearly identify what contribution the successful candidate has the opportunity of making to their wider community.
Summarise roles and responsibilities
There’s a similar format among most position descriptions: summary of the role, background to the company, tasks and responsibilities, skills and experiences. These are all important sections to include, but how you include them can help give potential candidates a sense of your organisation.
“Any job seeker wants to know what they’ll be doing in a role, whether that’s daily tasks or long-term projects,” says Amy. “Outline what these are but try and summarise them, rather than including long bullet point lists of requirements.”
Tip #4: Summarise what the roles and responsibilities of the job are while giving a sense of variety that will come with the position.
Deliver on your description
Any position description must be an accurate reflection of the work you’re employing a candidate to undertake. Not only is having a position description a legal requirement as an employer; it also communicates expectations from the outset.
“A job description is an integral part of an employment contract,” says Amy. “It outlines what’s required in a role and the work that must be undertaken and delivered to meet those expectations. This forms part of the employment agreement which is signed by both parties.”
Tip #5: An accurate position description outlines the expectations of the role and what is required of the candidate from the outset.
Positioning excellence
Preparing a position description for your next hire? The team at Asset Recruitment can help you position excellence right here in the Waikato.