Weekly Tips: Recruitment for Science Communication Roles (Feb 15)
As a recruiter, writing a good job description is crucial to attracting suitable candidates. This is especially true for science communication roles. For this week, here are our 3 tips to keep in mind:
- Be clear and concise: So this is obvious, but job posters still make the classic mistake of not being clear. As such, make sure the job description is easy to read and understand by using precise language that avoids jargon that may not be familiar to candidates. Focus on articulating the essential requirements and responsibilities of the job.
- Emphasize the mission and impact: Another obvious point that is usually missed. The point here is that candidates are motivated by the mission and the impact of the work. As such, it is essential to highlight how the role contributes to the overall mission of the organization and the impact it will have on the broader community of stakeholders.
- Use inclusive language: Finally, use inclusive language to make the job description more welcoming and accessible to a diverse pool of candidates. Avoid language that may be gender-biased or exclusive, and focus on the essential skills and qualifications for the job. Share the job description with a few people to get feedback before posting it publicly.
Useful Readings
- Delfgaauw, J., & Dur, R. (2008). Incentives and workers’ motivation in the public sector. Labour Economics, 15(6), 1200-1221.
- Cable, D. M., & Judge, T. A. (1996). Person–organization fit, job choice decisions, and organizational entry. Organizational behavior and human decision processes, 67(3), 294-311.
- Dobbin, F., & Kalev, A. (2016). Why diversity programs fail. Harvard Business Review, 94(7/8), 52-60.