A great hiring process begins with an effective job description. Simply put, attracting the right candidates means articulating your ideas and needs the right way. That’s why in today’s blog, we discuss five job description mistakes you should make sure to avoid.
5 Job Description Mistakes To Avoid
Writing a job description is never as easy as it seems at first glance. Here are some of the most common pitfalls you should avoid when creating a job description.
The Job Description Is Too Long
When writing a job description, the secret is to keep things comprehensive but concise. Include everything the candidate needs to know without unnecessary embellishments. In most cases, potential employees will decide in a matter of seconds if they want to apply or not, so you have to make the most of that brief time frame.
Leaving Out Key Details
According to LinkedIn, job descriptions that are on the short side (about 300 words) are more effective than medium (301-600) or long (600+) posts. But while you want to keep your job description tight, you should also make sure to include all the relevant details. By omitting key information, you run the risk of wasting your (and the candidate’s) time by attracting people who don’t actually fit the role.
Unrealistic Expectations
When you include unrealistic expectations in your job description, you are setting yourself up for failure. Sure, it feels good when you set high standards for your organization. But when those standards become impossible to meet, you only create confusion and unnecessarily extend the time it will take you to hire the right candidate.
Vague Titles
Remember that job descriptions are supposed to be useful and straightforward. Vague or unusual titles (such as “Organizational Ninja” or “HR guru”) may seem fun and quirky, but at the end of the day, they just muddy the waters and put you one step farther (not closer) from your goal.
Recycling Job Descriptions
We get it: in today’s fast-paced work environment time is of the essence. So why create a new job description when you still have on file the one you used last year? Think of it as an investment. Investing time in writing a new job description or thoroughly editing one you already have will end up saving you time and money by ensuring that you attract the right candidates and make the best hiring decision.
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