A well-written job description is one that welcomes professionals of all abilities and backgrounds to apply for an open position at your organization. Studies have shown that a more inclusive workplace can create a better sense of community, increase worker engagement, and promote a more positive workplace culture. That’s why it’s critical to be sure that you are writing inclusive job postings and descriptions when hiring for a new role. If you need a few tips for writing inclusive job postings and descriptions, keep reading for some expert advice from the professionals at Prescott HR!
Remove Gendered Words and Pronouns
Organizations can sometimes unknowingly assign gendered words and pronouns to their job descriptions. If your organization implies through these words that a job may be more suitable for one gender over another, then you are missing out on a pool of qualified candidates. Some examples of gendered words include using words like nurture, support, compassion, or share, which are often considered female-coded words. Whereas words like aggressive, confident, assertive, or driven can be associated with male-coded words. Removing gendered words or pronouns from your job descriptions can show that your organization is inclusive of all potential applicants.
Avoid Racial Bias
In today’s modern world, employers should be aware of underlying racial bias that may make its way into job postings and descriptions. Pay careful attention to the words and phrases you use in your job descriptions to avoid showing racial bias. For example, never mention race or national origin in your job description. Using phrases like, “strong English-language skills” can deter non-native English speakers from applying for the job.
Welcome Disabled Workers
The rise in remote work and telework options has allowed disabled workers to apply for positions they maybe once would have avoided. There are certain keywords you can include in your job posting and descriptions that would be welcoming to disabled workers. For example, you wouldn’t want to say, “Must be able to stand for the entirety of a shift.” Instead, use more inclusive language like, “Must be able to remain in a stationary position during the entirety of a shift.”
Avoid Ageism
Ageism is a very real issue in the modern-day workplace. It’s important to not reference age or ability in job postings and descriptions, so as not to deter older workers from applying for the position. One way to do this is to make sure your organization does not ask for GPA scores when applying, which implies that you are only looking for recent graduates. It’s also helpful to avoid using “Junior” or “Senior” as part of job titles.
Work with Prescott HR
Does your organization need help with writing inclusive job postings and descriptions? Hire the experts at Prescott HR to help you! Prescott HR offers a wide range of services that can help your organization recruit a diverse and talented group of professionals. Our unintimated HR practices allow us to be focused and effective, providing your business with exactly what you need. Give us a call today at 443-351-8818 or contact us online.