Have you ever felt like shortening a job post was like editing War and Peace? The job post lists every single responsibility and details every preferred skill leading to a manifesto. Here’s the problem: lengthy job ads hurt your chances of attracting top talent. Studies, including multiple performed by Datapeople, show that overly detailed ads lead to smaller, less diverse candidate pools. In today’s competitive hiring landscape, length may be the difference between attracting your target talent and experiencing a frustrating, elongated hiring experience. Thankfully, by embracing these 5 proven steps, you can easily shorten your job posts.
So how do you write a compelling, concise job ad that attracts the right people? Here are 5 easy ways to trim the fat and shorten your job posts with ease.
1. Prioritize the essentials
To shorten your job posts, focus on the 5-6 most critical responsibilities for the role. Remember, “as needed” tasks can be clarified later. The same goes for generic collaboration statements such as “collaborate with multiple teams”. They bloat your post and add minimal value. As we break down, a focus on essentials is a core distinction between job description and job post.
2. Refine your requirements
To shorten your job posts, keep it to 4-5 essential requirements. Ditch ambiguous soft skills. Critically assess and retain only those that are important. The most effective job posts focus on quantifiable skills candidates can easily showcase. And stay away from confusing soft skills that mean little and add less to your jobs.
3. Ditch the “wish list”
To shorten your job posts, minimize “preferred qualifications.” These not only lengthen your ad but can deter qualified candidates who might feel like they don’t check every box. As we show in Good Job! Breaking Down Best-in-Class Qualifications, removal is not only possible but also beneficial.
4. Streamline the summary
To shorten your job posts, the position summary must be focused. It should be about the team and the hiring manager, not a repeat of the responsibilities section. Keep it short and sweet, focusing on the core aspects of the position and team culture. For other tips to craft effective job posts, we encourage you to visit this blog.
5. Inclusive language
To shorten your job posts, use approachable, simple language. Ditch formal jargon and focus on clear communication. No need to say “The candidate must develop and maintain,” just say “You will develop.” This can be easier than you may realize, just follow these steps to infuse your job post with inclusive, accessible language.
Effortlessly shorten your job posts
A concise, clear job ad attracts a wider, stronger pool of candidates. The work to shorten job posts doesn’t have to be difficult. By following these best practices, anyone can easily shorten job posts. If you want to make the crafting of effective and inclusive job posts nearly automatic, you may want to investigate a Talent Acquisition platform like Datapeople.
Here’s how Datapeople helps your team hire target talent by ensuring your team can effortlessly shorten job posts.
Style and Policy Guides
Tailoring your Policy Guide and Style Guide will lock in your company and regulatory standards. Standards will be systematically applied in the Datapeople Smart Editor. Our writing experience will seamlessly coach and upskill your team. They will more consistently write compelling, high-quality jobs that are direct and inclusive.
Pre-built templates
Save time and resources with pre-approved templates that lock in your EVP and hiring best practices. Craft instructions and lock down sections to maximize brand consistency and writer focus. Ensure templates and expert guidance are available everywhere your team works, including your ATS, with Datapeople Anywhere.
High-quality job posts
Overcome writer’s block by safely deploying the only talent acquisition-trained assistive intelligence. With Datapeople First Draft, your team will have everything they need to augment their writing and craft jobs that are effective and inclusive in minutes.
Real-time reporting
Illuminate gaps and optimization opportunities with real-time reporting across all your job postings. Datapeople Insights offers one-click access to robust reporting and insights that will make your data-driven hiring dream an impactful reality.
The work to shorten your job post might feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. By embracing these 5 tips, your team will be on their way to shorter, more performant job posts. Want a shortcut? Reach out and inquire about what Datapeople could look like in your organization!
