“If you build it, he will come,” only holds true in the fictional world of Field of Dreams, yet many hiring managers assume that as soon as they slap up a job posting, they will automatically attract high-caliber IT talent. This is simply not the case. The current IT landscape is extremely competitive, and if you hope to attract strong candidates, you’ve got to put your best foot forward at all times, starting with your job descriptions.
Be Clear and Specific About the Job Title
The job title is the first thing a job seeker will see when scanning job postings. Unfortunately, most job titles miss the mark. Posting a job for a “Developer” can mean hundreds of different things. If your opening is for a User Interface Developer, say so. When you are specific, it can weed out inappropriate candidates right from the beginning.
Include Job Goals
Most postings give a list of job responsibilities and list of desired qualifications, but few get into the meat of the job. Including goals and expected outcomes can be extremely effective for attracting just the right type of IT talent. It not only helps to set realistic expectations for candidates up front, but it also gives candidates an idea of what it will be like to work for the organization.
Use Space Wisely
Job seekers understand that companies are looking for “self-starters” and “team players.” It is not necessary to take up valuable space with these phrases. Instead, use those lines to promote working for your organization, which is an effective element of a job description that most organizations ignore.
Showcase Your Company Culture
While you want to attract IT talent with the right skills and qualifications, you also want to attract candidates who will fit in well with your company culture. It’s important to include information about your organization in each job posting. Were you named a “Best Place to Work?” Do you have an employer-sponsored cafeteria? Do you allow time off for volunteer work? These nuggets of information can go a long way in attracting IT talent.
If your organization is not attracting the caliber of IT talent you’d prefer, CERS can help. We are a top-tier Recruiting Consultant firm in Miami that can help your business create strong job descriptions and postings that will attract high-quality IT candidates. We also retain a large, diverse candidate pool of IT professionals at all levels, to help you fill your pipeline, and we offer consulting services to help with your short- and long-term recurring needs. Contact CERS today to learn more.
