Your Job Description = Cupid’s Arrow!
You may not have thought about it in this way before, but a job description can play “matchmaker” in the recruitment process for your open positions. How? By helping you find the candidate you have been longing for while stealing the heart of a candidate who has been waiting for this kind of job to come along.
Oftentimes, employers focus on defining a job by the skills and experience they think a candidate should have, instead of defining the type of person who will fit the company, the team, and the position. The traditional mindset leads to a job description with a composed list of duties and responsibilities unique to the position, typically based on someone who was previously successful in the role. However, these “standard” job descriptions can prevent quality talent from applying to your positions!
How can your job description focus more on identifying the right person? The duties and requirements are an essential piece of the job description, enabling candidates to understand a day in the life of the role. However, it is just that; it only aligns the candidate with the duties and requirements. If your job description is aimed at finding the right candidates (like Cupid’s arrow!) then it should help to identify someone who fits the company, the culture, and the team.
“If your job description is aimed at finding the right candidates (like Cupid’s arrow!) then it should help to identify someone who fits the company, the culture, and the team. ”
Here are some additional components to consider adding to your company’s job descriptions:
What it’s like to work at our company
Example from ORASES:
At Orases, it is our mission to make the world more efficient. That means we seek to partner with purpose-driven brands and organizations — those who strive to positively change their industry or community.
Simply put, we work with purpose, passion, and a lot of heart. Our values guide the way that we work with clients and with each other. We are one team that delivers quality solutions. We are a community of self-starters, committed to results. And above all else, we are excellent human beings. We aim to create a diverse and inclusive environment where every team member feels comfortable bringing their true self to work and is committed to making the world a better place.
the type of person who will fit well in your organization
Example from DIGITAL BARD:
You recognize strong, clear marketing messages when you hear them, and are compelled to create them whenever possible. You rock it behind the camera, with an eye for great video composition, the emotions of lighting and movement, and a directive journalism style. You know all the Adobe Premiere shortcuts by heart, can’t stand a cut when a dissolve would be better, and realize the video isn’t done until the sound mix is right. You like the puzzle of setting up a digital marketing campaign, optimizing the bid, installing the Pixel, and reporting on the metrics. You are not only a smither of words, but you understand the difference between kerning and leading when it comes time to lay it out in a graphic. You are a gifted graphic designer who puts things in motion in animation and motion graphics.
A Description of your company’s work culture
Example from HIGH GEAR:
Our most important criterion is a strong cultural fit. We have a great culture and are proud to be guided by the faith-based principles of passion, humility, teamwork, and integrity. We have the innovative culture and customer focus of a startup, but we are a profitable and mature company with careful financial management and strong cash reserves. And instead of fighting traffic every day, you can work close to home in a great place to live!
IN SUMMARY: Turn the job description into a matchmaker, and make it about more than just duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Attract the right person by letting them know in greater detail about how awesome your company is, and why. Include things like team dynamics in the description or qualifications. Make sure the description has language that conveys and surfaces the company’s mission and culture. At the end of the day, you are talking about a relationship - one that exists between the employer and employee. Most relationships are built on more than just qualifications and abilities. It involves having fun, being transparent, and trusting you are there for the best interests of each other.
Ready to start revising your job descriptions? You can get support in this process through Frederick County Workforce Services. You can also ask about Labor Market Information to ensure that you remain competitive as you strive to win over the ideal candidate!