How to Find the Right Cultural Fit with Job Descriptions
Written by: Caileen Kehayas
Usually, job descriptions are boring. Anyone who has ever written several job descriptions likely has experienced the feeling of their eyes glazing over while typing the words “responsibilities” and “qualifications” over and over (and over) again.
However, a job description does not have to adhere to this format. A job description can actually be fun to write for a hiring or HR manager.
A job description, when done right, will display everything great about a company; its culture, its people, and what makes it special. This kind of job description is fun for a manager to write, enjoyable for a candidate to read and it will weed out candidates who are not the right cultural fit.
While you don’t need to write a novel describing everything that is so awesome about your company, there are at least five ways to sneak in some bragging rights in a concise (but exciting) job description.
Let’s explore!
- THE JOB DESCRIPTION TITLE
We might as well start here.
Before an applicant even sees the job at hand, she will see the job description title and decide to click or not to click.
Imagine that you are looking for an Administrative Assistant. Of course you can title it “Administrative Assistant Needed” but that is a boring start.
Think of adjectives here. What is it that you want from your next admin? Do you want exuberance? A great team player? Someone looking to grow with the company?
From there you can flesh out your title to “Friendly Admin Needed for Awesome Growing Company!”
Make sure your title is not too long. Job description titles with 50 to 60 characters outperform others by 30-40 percent.
- ONE AWESOME PICTURE
The old adage “A picture is worth 1,000 words” rings true here.
Including a picture in a job description will significantly increase interest. It is scientifically proven that people love pictures.
Decide what picture appropriately captures what is so standout about your office. Is it a picture of a tug of war between your sales and marketing team at your last outing? Is it a photo of the office dog lazily snoozing next to a foosball table? Maybe it is a picture of your beautiful office?
A photo can have a huge impact when included with a job description. Make it count!
- YOUR FITNESS/OUTING PROGRAMS
Benefits and salary are great, but sometimes they are not appropriate for the body of the job description. While salary can be dependent on experience, benefits are usually pretty standard and… not very exciting.
Instead of exciting your prospective employee with standardized lines about 401Ks and dental, include a sentence about your company-wide fitness initiative or your twice-yearly retreats.
Including truly unique benefits will set your company apart. Happy hours, bowling teams, and volunteer outings give the candidate an idea of what the team does together and whether or not that is of interest.
This will excite the right cultural fits for your company.
- EXCITING PROGRESS/GROWTH
This is another opportunity to stand out from other companies with one or two simple sentences.
What exciting advancements has your company made in the past few months? Has your company recently received funding? Has your company been featured in a “Best Places to Work” list?
Be sure to include awards, achievements, and progress made by your company. This is a great way to convey your own excitement about the company to a prospective candidate right off the bat!
Company culture is important. Let your job description speak to that.
If you are able to convey some of your rich company culture in the initial job post, you will not only receive more applicants, you will receive engaged, excited applicants!
If you are lucky, the applicant reading your culturally-rich job descriptions will take the cue and send you a cover letter that responds and touches upon all that is important.
Originally published on Blogging4Jobs.