Responding to Resumes Online: How to Create a Good Job Description
If you search a resume database or use a resume finder (like the Talent Finder that lets you search all across the internet), you are going to get many results. Luckily, these are going to be good results. When you use a resume database, you search with a relevant keyword or keyword phrase. This is often the position of the job you’re looking to fill. The resume database or resume finder in question will pull up resumes for you that contain your search phrase or a slight variation of it.
Using a resume database or resume finder is a more efficient way to fill an open job position. Instead of getting a stack of resumes from unqualified job candidates, you seek out the qualified candidates yourself. But, since you didn’t create an online job listing, you must describe the job when responding to a resume you found through a resume database.
When you email a response to a resume you found via a resume database, you don't have all those required form spots there waiting for you. You must decide what to type yourself. In addition to saying, "call us to schedule an interview," information about the job should be provided. But wait! What should or should not be included?
Avoid Job Requirements: Since you searched a resume database and found resumes of qualified persons, you already know they are qualified for the job. If they didn’t meet the job requirements, you wouldn't be contacting them. You only waste your time by typing and their time by reading job requirements.
Focus on the Job Duties: In your mind, an office secretary might sit at a desk typing all day long, but a job seeker might have a different view. Her last company might have considered her a jack of all trades (payroll, customer service, and more). Quickly outline some of the required job duties by using bullet points. Don’t just give the individuals you contact via a resume database the job title, but let them know what job duties that title entails.
Avoid the Salary: Unless offering amazingly high pay compared to competitors, it is best to not mention salary right now. A lot of times, the mention of salary turns away good job candidates because they feel they lose a lot of their negotiation options. Even if you would be willing to negotiate a better salary, many job seekers automatically think that the salary posted is written in stone.
Mention Location: Are you a small business owner or is your company opening a new location? If so, location is vital. If a business isn't very well known, there is a good chance that the job seekers you contact have no clue where you are located. They might not respond to your contact made via a resume database if they have no clue where they would be working. Also, if constant travel is required, mention it now.
Focus on the Potential to Grow: An awful thing to happen to a hard worker is to wake-up and realize that they are in a dead-end job and basically stuck there. If new hires have the potential to grow within the company state so. Show that the company is more than just an okay place to work for the time being; show it is a great place to spend a long and good career.
Now that you know what to say when contact the job seekers whose resumes you came across online, are you ready to start searching?