Writing effective job descriptions - Emphasis

Writing effective job descriptions Writing effective job descriptions Rob Ashton explains how to write your way to the ideal candidate. Back in January, we lamented that the UK was sitting on a glut of unwanted Christmas presents. Matching present to person is seldom an easy task. It takes time and effort. But in the run up to Christmas, many people would have taken a wild stab in the dark; picking up something passable from a department store and hoping for the best. Little wonder then that the bill for unwanted gifts is an estimated 700 million (according to recent research by eBay and market-research firm TNS). When it comes to choosing a new recruit, no HR professional would ever use this haphazard approach. But sometimes you can outline exactly what you want in a job specification and still end up with the equivalent of a naff jumper. Communicating with prospective candidates is not a perfect science. But its disheartening to trawl through CVs or application forms that bear little relation to the qualities that you carefully described. Not to mention a waste of time and money. In such a situation, the problem is that somewhere along the line, what the hirer meant was lost in translation. And even though they may have received some spot-on applications, theyll be unable to shake the feeling that theyve lost the opportunity to find the largest pool of talented individuals. If thats ever happened to you, the good news is that learning some writing skills techniques can help you to be as clear and concise as possible increasing your chances of finding the ideal people for your positions. So here are my seven tips for writing winning job specifications that will resonate with job hunters. One Examine why you need the role to start with. To do this you can brainstorm using the headings who?, what?, where?, when?, and why? Make sure that the role fits your departmental processes and that you are not empire building. And be realistic about the nature of the role. Whether the role is temporary or permanent, you need to understand the commitment of either structure to the organisation. Two Before you begin writing the job spec, focus your thoughts on the job hunter. Avoid a one-size-fits-all approach by asking yourself: Who will read it? How much do they already know about the prospective job? What do they absolutely need to know? What will excite my ideal candidate? What response do I want from them? Then write a clear description of duties and include the key deliverables. Whether its a junior or senior role, use language that the level of applicant you want to attract will understand even if this includes jargon. But avoid management-speak at all costs. Three Be honest about the duties of the role. In most situations, candidates will appreciate your candour about the level of energy required. And it will help you find someone with the right level of drive. Four Write a summary of your company and department. And include an organisation chart defining where the position sits. It also helps to provide some background information explaining why the role has been created and how it will integrate into the organisation. Five Outline both the hard and soft skills and experience required to make the role a success. Make your writing reader-centred by using words such as you, we and us. Opt for verbs instead of nouns. For example, instead of Were looking for a hardworking consultant for the completion of an IT project write Were looking for a hardworking consultant to complete an IT project. And choose simple words over more complicated ones. Its better to say you want someone enthusiastic (or even keen) rather than someone ebullient. Six Clearly define the location, salary, benefits, duration of contract (if necessary) and start date. And make sure you account for statutory requirements, such as procurement or legal terms and conditions. Seven Finally, ensure your contact details are included and end with a call to action. Something simple such as, If this sounds like you, call the human resources department now will encourage candidates to apply. Remember to keep your focus on your ideal candidate throughout the writing process, and youll increase the chances of securing the perfect match.

Best Places to Find Gifts for Geologists

Best Places to Find Gifts for Geologists Stumped on what to get the geologist in your life for the upcoming holiday, birthday, or anniversary? Heres a short list of places to shop and gifts to get for that person who loves all things geological. The gift ideas in this geologic gift guide range from serious to wacky, plus a few items to make your jaw drop! Not on the list are all of our favorite books for geologists - for those, visit our  book reviews. Geological Tool Gifts   The Brunton Co. The Brunton Company is the maker of world-standard field tools for geologists, starting with their famous compasses many of us know simply as Bruntons. Forestry Suppliers For everything from hammers to sieves, Forestry Suppliers has a great inventory of tools your geologist will enjoy. Amateur Geologist Amateur Geologist boasts all sorts of gifts for geologists from the tools they’ll need in the field to books, geological maps, and even fun, educational items for kids. One can never have too many 10X magnifiers – at least a geologist can’t! Here are our picks for the best magnifiers on the market. Magazine and Guide Gifts for Geologists Bobs Rock ShopWhile Bob doesnt sell rocks at his rock shop (Bob’s Rock Shop is actually an online publication and community for rock enthusiasts), but this great Web destination has advertisers who do- or you can get a subscription to  Rock Gem  magazine here. Earth MagazineEarth Magazine is one of the best and most popular magazines for those who take geology seriously (the publication was formerly  titled Geotimes). You can buy gift subscriptions for your geologist on their site. Mountain Press PublishingMountain Press Publishing’s online bookstore is home to the highly regarded Roadside Guide and Geology Underfoot series of books. U.S. Geological Survey Maps and MoreYes, the USGS has a store, and it’s full of great gifts for geologists! Find maps, posters, passes, products and more from the worlds coolest government agency. Desert GuidesDesert Guides host an assortment of books about getting around, and even finding wealth, in the desert. Your geologist will get lost in the fascinating information and stories! Minerals, Rocks, and Collectibles Gifts Science Stuff Science Stuff, formerly known as Earth Stuff, has gifts for any young scientist. We especially like their Earth science section with rocks, minerals, tools, fossils, and books for smart kids interested in all things geology. The Mineral GalleryThere are hundreds of mineral shops on the Web, but the Mineral Gallery probably has the best selection of minerals for sale for your geology enthusiast. FulguritesWhen lightning strikes the ground, sediments are fused together by the energy creating beautiful and unique crystal-like structures. Various mineral dealers sell the melted results as collectibles, you can find them at the link above. Top Stone Rolling FountainsThese fountains feature large stone spheres spinning miraculously suspended on water. Uniquely beautiful, these gifts are perfect for the geologist or rock enthusiast who has everything. We love this site. Spheres To YouThey call themselves the biggest seller of stone spheres in the world, and we believe them. Their selection is incredible. The Soft EarthPottery artist, Joan Lederman, uses pedigreed seafloor mud from Woods Holes oceanographers to make wonderful objects and collectibles. U.S. Geological Survey Bench Mark ReplicasFull-size reproductions in pewter of those cool brass benchmarkers from all around the world from the most famous summits to the South Pole. They even make earrings, pins, pendants, and more.