Improving your job descriptions involves making them more inclusive. Greater inclusivity increases your pool of qualified applicants.
Having more qualified applicants to interview increases the diversity of your workforce. Diverse employees help strengthen your bottom line.
Implement these tips to improve your job descriptions.
Use Gender-Neutral Language
Gender-coded words encourage more candidates who identify as male or female to apply. The result is an imbalance of male and female candidates.
For instance, the use of female-coded words such as support, collaborate, and interpersonal encourages more candidates who identify as female to apply. Conversely, the use of male-coded words such as decisive, independent, and driven encourages more candidates who identify as male to apply.
As a result, you want to use gender-neutral languages such as exceptional, outcomes, and growth in your job descriptions. This type of language encourages candidates who identify as either gender to apply.
Limit the Job Qualifications
Most female job seekers apply for roles where they meet all of the qualifications. In contrast, most male job seekers apply for positions where they meet more than half of their capabilities. As a result, including a long list of qualifications typically results in significantly more male applicants than female applicants.
Therefore, you should only include the minimum skills, experience, and qualifications needed for success in the job description. Remember that hard skills can be developed through on-the-job training and might not need to be in the job description.
Including fewer qualifications increases the number of female applicants. Having more applicants means more opportunities to hire the best talent.
Welcome Diverse Candidates
Encourage qualified candidates who differ in culture, race, religious beliefs, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, ability, and other characteristics to apply:
- Avoid phrases such as English-language solid skills, which may discourage non-native English speakers from applying.
- Avoid phrases such as digital native or supplement your retirement income, which suggests candidates from specific age groups should apply.
- Share that candidates should be able to complete tasks with or without reasonable accommodations, encouraging job seekers with disabilities to apply.
- Mention that your company is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce.
Do You Need to Help Improving Your Job Descriptions?
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