What to Do with a Consultant Who Writes Terrible Job Ads

Let me introduce you to Steve.

Steve works as a recruiter in the tech sector. He knows the industry inside and out. There are few who can match his on-phone patter. Clients love him, and his candidates adore him. He is the consummate professional.

The problem is he writes job ads that look like this:

BANK JAVA EXPERT LONDON!!

my client is looking for exp java dvp for a bbank. Dont miss out email thru your cv for chat. cheers, steve (me).

 Alas, Steve is to ‘writing’ what silly putty is to industrial adhesives.

Often recruitment marketers face the ignominy of a consultant whose writing just plain blows. They lament pulling together a beautiful content strategy only for Steve destroy it in a flurry of CAPS, poor grammar, and – worst of all – poor writing.

If your agency can’t afford the luxury of an advertising team, what steps can you take to stop your consultants “Steve-ing up” your job ads?

Consultants feel a sense of ownership of the roles they’re filling. They know what the client wants, and they don’t want to flounce around with pretty words.

This is the point where the marketing team enters (with its fancy quills and writerly graces). 

The truth is that writing job ads can be laborious. So, the trick is to position yourself both as an expert and a timesaver.  

Have your consultants send you a spec sheet – a list of bullets will do. These are key things they want their ads to say. It can be as prescriptive or free-wheeling as they want, so long as it lists the important bits:

• Role: Java developer role
• Industry: Banking
• Company: Cool Dog Bank. Global leader, 10,000 employees worldwide. Growth opportunities
• Location: London
• Type of role: Permanent
• Essential: Java 8 and Java Micro Services, Spring boots. (core banking, card payments, digital).
• Desired: API management, marketing and customer ops
• Pay rate: Market plus benefits
• Deadline: Three weeks
• Who to contact: Steve@hellyeahrecruitment.com

When you cut away the chaff you’re left with the client’s wheat. It’s up to the content experts to turn it into bread:

Java developer needed for global banking juggernaut - London

One of the biggest names in the banking sector wants an experienced Java developer for a permanent position.  

You’re a senior Java expert working in the hustle and bustle of the finance sector.

You love Java 8 and Java Micro Services, Spring boots and have a flair for bringing them all together. Ideally, you’re also an expert in API management and know to work with marketing and customer service teams.

My client offers an attractive salary and benefits package and the opportunity to grow and develop in one of the biggest names in the sector.

Send your CV through to Steve@hellyeahrecruitment.com

What we now have is a tasty job ad oozing with delicious detail. It turns a dry description into something that’s likely to be read and acted on.

The key is to take your consultants on a journey. Don’t deny them the right be involved – but position yourself as a timesaver who happens to be an expert at wordsmithery. It frees them up to do what they do best while you do what you do best.

After all, it makes sense to let the experts do the expert-ing. 

 

Updated 12:31 pm: Job position changed from "contract" to permanent.