Romantic comedies and job searches have a lot in common. In both, the protagonist seeks the perfect match, with friends and colleagues lending a helping hand. But as we know from rom coms, sometimes the match isn’t what it seems. The same goes for job candidates: sometimes the candidate just isn’t the right fit. That’s why partnering with talent experts is crucial. They can help you make the perfect match and ensure that the story has a happy ending.
To find that perfect match, it’s crucial for employers to provide accurate and thorough job descriptions. Shockingly, 72 percent of new hires surveyed in a 2022 study claimed that their job descriptions did not match their actual jobs; 61 percent of those hires quit within six months of hire.11 To avoid this breakup blunder, job descriptions should highlight the position’s key responsibilities and requirements, as well as the company’s values and culture. Follow the job-description tips below to ensure a good match and avoid high turnover rates and employee dissatisfaction.
Matching Culture
Did you know that within the first month of employment, 91 percent of employees are willing to leave due to failed expectations or dissatisfaction with company culture?22 The right job ad can help prevent that problem from the start. The first step in crafting a perfect job description is understanding your company’s unique culture and values. What sets your company apart from others in your industry? What type of candidate would thrive in your work environment? What is the corporate environment like? Take the time to really think through these questions and put your answers in writing. By understanding these factors, you can tailor your job description to attract the right type of candidate.
Matching Responsibilities with Skills
To attract the right talent, a job description must focus on the key responsibilities and requirements of the role. Be specific about the skills and experience required for the position and highlight the opportunities for growth and development within the role. Top candidates seek challenging opportunities that allow them to learn and grow in their career. A thorough job description can appeal to such talent by outlining specific goals or projects the employee will be working on, or by detailing potential paths for career advancement within the company.
Looking for the perfect candidate to match your organization’s needs? Contact Gertsburg Licata Talent today and let our team of experts find the perfect fit for you!
Business owners should seek input from current employees or industry experts to provide a better understanding of the skills and experience required. It’s also a good idea to use job-description templates as a starting point, customizing them to fit your company’s unique needs and culture.
Matching Expectations
A job description should be transparent about the role and what is expected of the candidate. According to a study by Glassdoor, job seekers want clear expectations and job responsibilities in a job listing.33 By being upfront about the workload and about the job’s potential challenges, you can attract candidates who are the right fit—and reduce turnover in the long run.
Matching Perks with Possibilities
A well-crafted job description highlights not only the responsibilities and requirements of the role, but also the unique benefits of working for your company. This may include perks such as professional development opportunities, team-building activities and an attractive company culture.
Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson once said, “Train people well enough so they can leave, treat them well enough so they don’t want to.” Emphasizing the unique benefits of your company can help you not only attract top talent but also retain them by creating a positive and fulfilling work environment.
Swiping Right on Diversity: Inclusive Language in Job Descriptions
The job-description language should be inclusive and free of bias. Avoid using gendered or other language that may turn off potential candidates. And be sure to include information about your company’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Top talent wants to work for companies that prioritize these values.
Need expert search and advisory services for your talent search? Let’s secure your next competitive advantage. Contact us today!
Avoid Being Catfished: Hire a Talent Recruiter
To run a successful business, you need to attract and retain top talent. According to a study by LinkedIn, companies that work with talent recruiters have 28 percent less employee turnover than those that don’t.44
That’s where Gertsburg Licata Talent comes in. Our team of executive-search and talent-advisory experts can help you craft a job description that not only attracts top candidates but also serves your business needs. We specialize in matchmaking, finding the best fit for your organization. By working with us, you can rest assured that you’ll find the right candidate for the job and decrease your employee-turnover rate.
Contact us today to learn more about our talent-acquisition services. Let us find a match made in heaven for you!
Tiffany Sacasas is an Executive Recruiter at Gertsburg Licata Talent. If you need assistance in professional placement and executive recruiting or have any questions about the content of this article, please don’t hesitate to contact Tiffany at 216-435–5800 or at [email protected].
1 Liu, Jennifer. “72% of young workers say they’ve regretted a new job after starting.” CNBC, 2 Mar. 2022, https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/02/72percent-of-young-workers-say-theyve-regretted-a-new-job-after-starting.html. Accessed 9 May 2023.
2 “9 out of 10 new employees willing to quit within first month – Here’s why.” LifeXchange. https://lifexchangesolutions.com/new-employees-quit/. Accessed May 9, 2023.
3 “Glassdoor study reveals what job seekers are looking for. “ (2018). Glassdoor for Employers. https://www.glassdoor.com/employers/blog/salary-benefits-survey/
4 “Global Talent Trends 2020.” LinkedIn, 2020, business.linkedin.com/content/dam/me/business/en-us/talent-solutions/resources/pdfs/linkedin-global-talent-trends-2020-us.pdf.
