The Perfect Job Ad
Grant Hughes
IT Manager: Cybersecurity & GRC at Engen (CISSP, CLP, CISA, CEH, CISM, CDPSE, CCSK, CSTP, CCSP, Master's Degree) | ISC2 Authorized Instructor
Ernest Shackleton, the renowned English explorer, embarked on the British Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition in August 1914. His ambitious plan was to traverse the Antarctic continent from sea to sea via the South Pole. However, disaster struck when the expedition's ship, ironically named Endurance, became trapped and was eventually crushed by ice.
After drifting on the ice for days, Shackleton and five companions undertook a 300-kilometer journey in a whaleboat to seek rescue. Despite facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, Shackleton successfully rescued his entire crew.
What sets Shackleton apart is not luck but his ability to assemble the perfect team. While most people rely on generic job advertisements filled with vague requirements, Shackleton’s approach was refreshingly different and brutally honest.
Shackleton bluntly outlined the harsh realities of the job: a hazardous journey, poor wages, extreme cold weather, prolonged darkness, constant danger, and no guarantee of a safe return. This brutal honesty attracted individuals possessing extraordinary resilience and determination. As a result, his team was able to thrive under the most extreme conditions.
We often fall into the trap of painting a rosy picture of our organization when advertising roles. If your office is a pressure-cooker environment, say so. If your company does not respect personal time and boundaries, be upfront about it. By being truthful, you will attract candidates who are genuinely aligned with your company’s culture and values.
In the realm of cybersecurity, where transparency is paramount, this approach is especially crucial. Job advertisements that promise a great culture, support for personal development, and a family-first environment will backfire if this is not the reality.
By adopting Shackleton’s principles of honesty and clarity when advertising jobs, you increase your chances of building a high-performing team that can withstand even the toughest challenges.
Director of Sales Operations driving sales growth and profitability
3 个月I never found the Cruse liner & never expected it.
Such powerful truth! We live in an era where being truthful has become a rare virtue. There seems to be a trend, where "shiny" things sell, even if it's fake. The only pitfall with the fake "shiny" is that it eventually catches up. This may result to lost trust, that may in certain instances result to lost customers, as a company's employee can also be it's customers. This principle applies to individuals selling themselves to companies as well...
Cyber Security, GRC specialists
3 个月There are 2 factors to this. 1. Many candidates are happy to get the opportunity and would agree to the job irrespective of the pressure. 2. Many companies don't know little they value boundaries or fully understand the complexity of pressure due to many factors.
Executive Sec
3 个月Very true. #falseadvertising?
Solutions Architect | Lead Developer | Tech Lead | .Net | C# | Azure | Senior Developer | Dev Manager | .Net Consultant | Contractor
3 个月This kind of transparency can prevent future dissatisfaction and turnover, fostering a more committed and productive workforce.