Creating an Attractive Job Description

Let's face it. Today's talent pool includes more passive than active candidates these days. It is important that hiring teams create job descriptions that are informative, stand out, and resonate with the right talent.

I love to address the hiring manager's job description first. It opens the door to learn about their team, their open position, and their next team mate. I like to use the phrase, "Make it sexy", follow it up with this: If you were golfing with other buddies in your industry, or at a bar with extended colleagues, or trying to impress someone... How would you describe this job? You would likely say what company, what team, where at, your big mission, and how you support it in your role.

Tip #1: Make your intro sexy. Make it appeal to the right candidates.

• Include your company, what is the <generalized title (software engineering manager)> professional you seek, what team they will be joining <job function (Engineering Talent Acquisition Team)> and where at. You may even wish to add in key words like 'Remote' Billing Specialist or 'Part Time' Data Entry Specialist to spice things up a bit.
• A call to action to join your TEAM & MISSION: What does your team do, captivates and highlights the essence of your team and importance to the overall picture.
• A show and tell of the POSITION: This is a small paragraph about how your new hire will be supporting this mission. This is likely how they will define themselves amongst others in their field. How they can help support your teams mission, what is in it for them on the day to day.

Example: As the <Super Specific Job Title (KC-46 Mission Systems Software Engineering Manager)> you will have the (feel good keyword) privilege of leading a cross-functional team of engineers that (who are they collaborating with) support the x, y, z teams for the (big project) KC-46 (project within the project) Mission Systems (parts of the puzzle) blah, blah, blah. (Where this position will take them next) This first level management position will allow you to develop the skillsets and experience required for executive level management roles in the future. ).?In this role you will have the opportunity to travel domestically and also collaborate with key stake holders, suppliers, management, blah blah blah.

Tip #2: Use the preferred qualifications to showcase more nerdy specifics of the job. Your Basic Qualifications are the red bottom line minimum. Preferred are all the things that set them apart or will get to improve on in this role

• Tools they should know or know of that they will be using; programing languages, office suites, design programs, customer retention management tools, budgeting tools, etc
• Skillsets they may need; negotiating contracts, technical expertise or leadership experience, similar projects transferable experience, etc
• Experiences they might have; leading projects, presenting to leadership, going to conventions, writing technical pieces, starting a new project or team, etc

Tip #3: Insure they know what your company offers!

People go to work for money, benefits from a company they cant get as an independent contractor, and more.

• Do you have a top notch health benefits package? Does your medical insurance package have a low deductible option? Does it include dental, vision, long-term/short-term, pet health, or other optional insurance? Does your company offer a percentage paid for dependents and spouses too?
• Do you have a rock solid 401k contribution plan? How about pension, stock options, or other options?
• Do you give employees both sick paid time, vacation time, AND personal time off?
• Do you have performance based incentives, team goal incentives, management incentives, etc?
• Do you offer options to volunteer or give back to the community?

There are many ways to attract talent. Be sure to try these tips in your next job posting and let me know how they work out! Connect with me and send Private Message to schedule a private consulting appointment with me.