It can be difficult to attract the most skilled and qualified candidates to roles within the life science industry – competition is strong, and demand is high. So, how can you make your vacancies really stand out so that the best applicants see them.
The Importance of the Job Description
A job description is a form of sales. It is selling your organization and the job that you are advertising. Remember that candidates are basing their decision about whether to apply on how persuasive your advertisement is.
If you can make the role sound exciting and your business is dynamic and full of opportunities for the future, the best candidates are more likely to be drawn in. Communicating the benefits your company has to offer must be done through a well-tailored job description. So, how can you achieve this goal?
Be Clear and Enthusiastic
Job specifications need to describe in detail what the daily work entails while also creating excitement and buzz about the possibilities of working for your organization in that specific position.
You need to give candidates enough information, so they know whether the role is right for them, but you also need to inject sufficient enthusiasm into your advert so that they get the impression that your organization is the perfect place to work.
Communicating Your Criteria
A vital element of any job description is the way in which you communicate your selection criteria. If you make an error in this regard, you could end up with a lot of applicants who simply aren’t up to the task in hand. All roles required certain skills, and you need to be sure that you outline these with clarity in your description.
Listing qualifications and skills that are both “essential” and “preferred” will ensure there is no ambiguity at all about the type of person you’re looking for to fill the role.
Highlighting Benefits and Compensation
A job description’s purpose is to sell the role and your company to the best candidates so that they actively desire to join your team. A large part of attracting the top talent is to clearly communicate the benefits and compensation that you can offer them if they decide to take you up on your offer of employment.
While many companies choose not to advertise compensation information for competitive of other reasons, only about 10% of all positions in the Life Sciences share this information so making this public in a job post might also give your firm a competitive advantage. If you elect not to publish this in your job description, ensure to communicate these details early in the process.
If you offer something special to your workforce, such as additional days of leave, annual bonuses, a company car, or any other benefits, make sure to mention it in the job description.
Attracting the Most Skilled Candidates to Life Science Roles
It can be difficult to attract the best candidates to your life science vacancies, but it’s clear that crafting an excellent job description is a key element in achieving that goal. By portraying your organization in the best light, you can win over the hearts and minds of top talent.