Tag Archives: business support

Words have power – Words and jargon to avoid in today’s job descriptions..

Blog, , , , , ,

Getting the right people in the door for the right job is a challenge for many businesses. The recruitment  process begins with a well-crafted job description. Job descriptions are a communication tool between the employer and candidates, and it is viewed by candidates as a mini preview of your company culture.

I recently consulted with a small business in hospitality on job descriptions, and as a result, their recruitment campaign was a huge success. By applying simple changes, they were able to attract a calibre of talent they had previously not been able to tap into.

Revisiting job descriptions and paying attention to wording and phrases will impact how your business is viewed as an employer. After all this is what will attract a candidate to your business, and represents your employer branding. Descriptions packed with jargon and words that you are used to have become meaningless, and in today’s era can have a double meaning. Many of which can be deemed as red flags for the workplace culture.

As an example, ‘Family’. Once a key word and viewed as welcoming, is now one to avoid. Family means different things to all individuals, good and bad so be mindful of using this term, as it can be misconstrued that boundaries are violated and remember not all family life is happy. As a successful HR senior peer recently pointed out to me, many families can be dysfunctional, and individuals don’t want that culture in a workplace which is a very valid point!

Here are some other examples of words and phrases we see featured in job descriptions daily which are simply off putting in today’s era. If you can, try and avoid words such as:

  • fast-paced
  • enthusiastic
  • detail-oriented
  • multi-tasker
  • Passionate
  • enthusiastic
  • dynamic
  • Works well under pressure

These types of words and phrases are used so much in job descriptions that they have lost their meaning and effectiveness. If you use them in your job ad, you risk your description blending in with the rest, and you want you want to stand out from the other job descriptions the candidate has just glanced over.

When detailing what you are looking for in a candidate, specificity is key. Vague business jargon is simply content filler that is distracting from seeking out the qualities and skills you want.

Example:

Instead, use phrases that show what the job entails as well as the skillset required for the job. For example, instead of saying that you are seeking someone driven, indicate that the role requires someone with a proven ability to meet quick deadlines. This prompts anyone applying to have evidence of this skill ready to be discussed in an interview or cover letter.

The more natural your job posting reads, the more likely it is that candidates will respond.

To avoid any mishaps, always use neutral language whenever possible. Not sure if something has a bias or reads inviting?  Ask a colleague to review and get their interpretation of the wording prior to hitting “Post.”

Daly Recruitment offers an hourly consultancy service to assist businesses in this area, if you would like to discuss options for your business, please email Nichola on Nichola@DalyRecruitment.com

SURREAL is the only word that can be used to describe the last 10 months.

Blog, , , ,

As everyone has adapted to the new world of COVID-19 restrictions since March 2020, no one could have anticipated that we would still be in the position that we are currently in, almost one year later.

We are now adapting to a new way of life; we have stopped and started so many times throughout those months due to this ever-evolving devastating pandemic. But sudden and recurring closures and re-openings have brought many businesses to a complete halt; many into debt; and many questioning how much longer they can continue to survive in this climate – myself included.

Managing a business has its challenges in normal times but navigating it through a global pandemic & lockdowns has, without doubt, been very challenging. Although from my own point of view, it has equally enabled a time of huge personal development.

While many businesses have been able to adapt and innovate to generate alternative revenue streams at this time, many have had no other and, regrettably, some have been unable to do so. I admire and love to hear and read these stories – adaptability and resilience is what the world of hospitality is renowned for.

The hospitality sector is evident of innovations with many restaurants offering take away or ‘cook at home’ options which appears to have been a huge success for many. Like any successful idea, with more competition coming to the market, it dilutes the demand and means restaurants etc. are regularly changing their offerings to stimulate further demand.

It’s a tough market and, let’s not forget, many people in this current climate are unable to financially afford dining out or ordering in luxuries. Each opportunity presents its own challenge, and I wish the best of luck to all who continue adapt and evolve – if you can support these businesses, please do.

While Government support is available to businesses, the longer it continues I’m left asking if it is enough to enable businesses to survive in the long term? Furlough for example, which many believe is the lifeline to saving jobs and businesses, is not the reality for many. Furlough still presents an additional cost to the employer with paying pension, national insurance and holiday contributions.

While this may appear minimal, any cost when there is no revenue coming in is significant. The additional financial support that has been provided is not sufficient to cover many overheads that businesses have to occur on a monthly basis.

Based on this, and without additional support coming from the government, it would be naive not to expect further jobs losses in the coming months as businesses run low on funds to meet the costs still presented. Large or small, continued costs without sufficient support is unsustainable. Couple that with the uncertainty of reopening timescales, ever changing restrictions, and lack of clarity in strategy, it could get worse before it gets better.

With the news reported at the weekend that many sectors are now facing a potential reopening date of March/April, this will bring heightened uncertainty to many who had high hopes for 2021 beginning our recovery. In my own personal opinion, formed by talking to numerous businesses and strategists, it seems very clear that it will be the second half of the year before we will see any turnaround as more of the vaccine is rolled out.

In fact, the Danske Bank Quarterly Sectoral forecast published last week has predicted it will be a number of years before we witness a return to pre COVID-19 trade levels. What we are certain of is this knock-on impact which will be felt for a long time – we can only but hope for an expedient roll out of the vaccine so we can begin to rebuild and return to the world we once knew, and that itself will mean different things to us all!

As a community we all have a part to play in getting this virus under control. Adhering to the guidelines, and acting responsibly is little to ask of us, so we can avoid unnecessary pressure to an already overstretched NHS, devastating personal loss to families, and uncertain economic future. I, like all of us, am grateful for all of the work that the NHS and key workers have done over the past 10 months. Continuing to do our part now places less strain on the health service and enable them to focus on a quicker delivery of the vaccine.

With so much uncertainty, it is difficult not to feel overwhelmed. But as we all work towards brighter days ahead both personally and professionally, cooperation, adaptability and resilience is key.

Please stay safe, stay at home, and support local businesses as and where you can.