DAAAAAmn...That Job Description of Yours is Weak...

Raise your hand if you're tired of job descriptions that sound like they were created in the risk management department.  Wow...Everyone's tired of it?  Then why do all the job descriptions still suck?  Raise your right hand and repeat after me:

"I, <state your name>, do solemnly swear to fight the status quo regarding job descriptions that are boring and lame.  I pledge to take the time to write a job description that has not sold its soul to the legal department, and I promise to think like a marketer when writing job descriptions that actual candidates will see, acknowledging the fact the quality of the JD drives candidate engagement.  If a lawyer appears at my door after my first attempt, I swear I will set up a parallel universe where candidates can see the good JD in addition to the bad one as a negotiated middle ground to the legal constraints.

If I ever lose my passion for this commitment, I promise to apply for a transfer to the position of LOA coordinator at my company"

If you said "state your name" instead of saying your name, you're a wiseguy(gal).  Your HR Capitalist nickname is also "Flounder" from here on out...

Here's one to get you started - it's not perfect, but if we wait for perfection our JD's are going to sound like Ben Stein is reading them forever:

"DAXKO's Sales Team is looking for an Account Executive to work out of our Birmingham office.  We like our team members to communicate with style and grace, be passionate about software and serving the nonprofit world, work harder than anyone else they know, and keep it all in perspective by having fun.  Sound like you?  Read on.

What We Need You to Do:

--Meet and call people in member-centric nonprofits daily.  LOTS of people.

--Be likable while you sell. Seamlessly merge conversational stage banter with needs analysis while talking to potential customers.

--Find pain. Make pain better via DAXKO Solutions. Make potential customers like DAXKO and you.

--Customize proposals to fit needs of potential customers.  Write like a bard; present like a thespian.

--Help us build the business as a result of your considerable relationship-building and business skills.

--Negotiate as needed.  Be nice, but effective.

--Close new business.  No pressure…

--Hobnob in the industry, positioning DAXKO for future business not yet on the radar screen.
Keep the customers you sign up happy.

--Ever seen “Planes, Trains and Automobiles”?  You don’t have to share a hotel room, but we need you to travel up to 50% of the time.

What You Need to Have:

--At least 3-5 years of experience selling software/technology or to member-based nonprofits. We like both sectors, we want you to like at least one of them too. Both would be great...

--Killer software sales skills.  Technical chops a plus.  You don’t have to code, but you need to understand SaaS isn’t an attitude.

--Some Sheepskin.  We need the bachelor’s degree.

--Self-starting ability is a must. 

--All the other stuff everyone needs.  Be cool (professional demeanor and composure) and encourage other people to talk more than you do (able to listen and communicate effectively).

About DAXKO

Headquartered in Birmingham, AL and recently recognized as one of the “Top 25 Best Small Companies to Work for in America,” DAXKO is a leading provider of software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions to nonprofits nationwide. As a fast-growth, energetic, and profitable company, DAXKO challenges team members to be innovative contributors every day."

So it's not perfect, but it's a start.  If I was a player I would have named it "Rainmaker".  These things take time.  Take the pledge and try to be different today.

Comments

[Michelle]

I think people try to have job descriptions accomplish too many things. Me, I don't worry about job descriptions. I let them serve their internal purpose for HR (documenting the job's duties, tasks, responsibilities, working conditions and requirements). This is all mostly important when determining compensation and fitness for duty.

What you described above is more of a position description. Something for recruiting purposes. This is where you get to make it pithy without the legalize.

So for me, there is no fight. Maybe I have sold out but this just isn't a battle I feel passionate about. There are too many other hills to charge.

Should I put in my transfer request now? :-D

[Bob Corlett]

Too funny, just a few hours ago I posted a rant on boring job descriptions, and how they are partly responsible for killing the job boards:

http://thestaffingadvisor.wordpress.com/2009/09/24/are-job-boards-dead-or-are-your-job-ads-just-deadly-dull/

[HRinSD]

If I could get one of Lou Adler's "performance profiles" through my FLSA department I would, but it don't fly, nor should it.

Until then the solution is the same one that keeps me from fighting with my wife over who gets to play with the wireless laptop, we each have our own.

[Mitch]

What you describe is really a comms issue and is one of the reasons why companies should consider having a retained talented recruitment marketing firm on their PSL at all times. Unfortunately having job specs alone informs too much of what goes on thereafter in ads, job postings and recruitment agency calls to prospective candidates.

Great blog site by the way.

[JoblessInSeattle]

I'm more bothered by the job descriptions which over-reach: looking for "strategic consultants" able to "influence executives" yet think that's going to come from someone with 3 years of experience and no advanced degree.

I'd like to see more truth in advertising on job descriptions: what are the job responsibilities, what are the KSAs required, and how much we're willing to pay. Then we'd be getting down to it.