Your Ad May Not Be What It Appears To Be

If you can give your recruiting clients some good advice nuggets like this, you might make more sales!


In this day and age of social media, job boards, and mobile devices, the one-size-fits all job posting doesn't work the way it once was.
While many traditional job boards suffered with the advance of social media, the big aggregator job boards like Indeed.com and SimplyHired.com thrived because they pull jobs from all different job boards to make searching easy for candidates.

Here is the problem:
You ad on the aggregator sites, or any website or mobile device, might not show the important information first. By important I mean the information YOU the recruiter think is important, mainly the candidate's qualifications. Look at the ad below taken from Indeed.com (Please note I've changed the company name):

Desktop Tools Support Specialist
ZZZ International - Milwaukee, WI
See original job posting at ZZZ International »

ZZZ is looking for a Desktop Tools Support Specialist for a 4 months contract for our client located in Milwaukee, WI. Under the direction of the Manager Data Quality, Global SAP Territory Management the Desktop Support Specialist: Supports the automation of business and transactional processes using desktop based business applications. Supports the day-to-day operation, maintenance, troubleshooting and enhancements of such transactional desktop tools which, in turn, support the Global Sales Territory Management business function and up or down stream processes. Analyzes, codes, tests, configures and deploys desktop based applications of varying degrees of complexity leveraging his/her VB, VBA, MS Access and MS Excel developer skills. The applications supported by the Specialist are typically transactional in nature with update capability. Data analysis, requirements gathering, formulation of technical solutions, coding, testing, debugging, documenting and deploying new or revised application functionality utilizing VBA/VB and MS Access. Provide day-to-day technical support to the end-users. Occasionally, the incumbent may prepare and deliver training on new or existing functionality to end users. Working closely with the manager, end users and other team members to coordinate tasks, elicit requirements and/or provide technical support in the usage of the tools deployed and supported by the incumbent. Problem solving, situational auditing, quality assurance of the deliverables and, ability to gather requirements; translate into functional specifications and into technical solutions. Provides technical support (troubleshoot, maintenance, enhancements, etc.) of desktop based transactional applications written in MS Access/VBA-VB rel 6. Gathers and documents business requirements and transforms them into technical specifications. Applies SDLC best practices when solving business problems utilizing desktop multiuser tools. Troubleshoots issues reported by the End Users, peers and/or associates as they relate to the utilization and performance of the desktop applications. Translates functional requirements into sound technical solutions. Codes the scripts, tests and deploys the modules, queries, procedures, macros to meet the needs of the end users. Participates in Analysis and Design sessions with the manager, the end user and/or Territory Management team members. Ensures that the application’s documentation is always current and that it meets the requirements established for this type of solution. Acquires the necessary knowledge as it relates to SAP CRM Sales Territory Management as well as its upstream and/or downstream processes that utilize the territory data. Serves as a point of contact for technical consultation to the end user and/or other team members. Consultation topics: Desktop tools functionality, MS Access, best practices, etc. Investigates and resolves data discrepancies identified during the testing of existing, modified and/or new functionality deployed in the desktop tools. Recommends improvements and/or procedural modifications that may enhance the customer experience as they interact with any of the deployed desktop tools. Attends mandatory training sessions and participates in team meetings as needed. Able to make important and informed decisions. Applies software development skills to solve business challenges. Able to work effectively and collaboratively with colleagues and peers. Team player who will be committed to a timely completion of assigned tasks. Detail oriented, organized and able to keep track of multiple tasks being performed simultaneously. Demonstrate good customer service support skills. Self-starter and demonstrated ability to work productively with limited supervision. Ability to perform effectively and efficiently in a fast paced environment working under strict deadlines. Excellent communication skills: (1) the ability to communicate technical information to non-technical personnel and (2) interview end users to gather information on defects, requirements for new functionality and/or to address end user’s requests for support. Proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite. Talent and Resources, Aligned. www.superiorjobs.com. EOE M/F/D/V SDI International - 1 day ago - save job - block » View or apply to job The ad above never gets to what the real requirements for the job are. It appears that any recent college graduate in IT could apply for this position. Here is the same ad taken from the company website:  Desktop Tools Support Specialist Ref# 263903 Office:

Atlanta, GA - SDI (15002320) Category:  Professional Description: 

ZZZ is looking for a Desktop Tools Support Specialist for a 4 months contract for our client located in Milwaukee, WI.

Under the direction of the Manager Data Quality, Global SAP Territory Management the Desktop Support Specialist:

• Supports the automation of business and transactional processes using desktop based business applications.
• Supports the day-to-day operation, maintenance, troubleshooting and enhancements of such transactional desktop tools which, in turn, support the Global Sales Territory Management business function and up or down stream processes.
• Analyzes, codes, tests, configures and deploys desktop based applications of varying degrees of complexity leveraging his/her VB, VBA, MS Access and MS Excel developer skills. 
• The applications supported by the Specialist are typically transactional in nature with update capability.
• Data analysis, requirements gathering, formulation of technical solutions, coding, testing, debugging, documenting and deploying new or revised application functionality utilizing VBA/VB and MS Access.
• Provide day-to-day technical support to the end-users.
• Occasionally, the incumbent may prepare and deliver training on new or existing functionality to end users.
• Working closely with the manager, end users and other team members to coordinate tasks, elicit requirements and/or provide technical support in the usage of the tools deployed and supported by the incumbent.
• Problem solving, situational auditing, quality assurance of the deliverables and, ability to gather requirements; translate into functional specifications and into technical solutions.
• Provides technical support (troubleshoot, maintenance, enhancements, etc.) of desktop based transactional applications written in MS Access/VBA-VB rel 6.
• Gathers and documents business requirements and transforms them into technical specifications.
• Applies SDLC best practices when solving business problems utilizing desktop multiuser tools.
• Troubleshoots issues reported by the End Users, peers and/or associates as they relate to the utilization and performance of the desktop applications.
• Translates functional requirements into sound technical solutions.
• Codes the scripts, tests and deploys the modules, queries, procedures, macros to meet the needs of the end users.
• Participates in Analysis and Design sessions with the manager, the end user and/or Territory Management team members.
• Ensures that the application’s documentation is always current and that it meets the requirements established for this type of solution.
• Acquires the necessary knowledge as it relates to SAP CRM Sales Territory Management as well as its upstream and/or downstream processes that utilize the territory data.
• Serves as a point of contact for technical consultation to the end user and/or other team members.
• Consultation topics: Desktop tools functionality, MS Access, best practices, etc.
• Investigates and resolves data discrepancies identified during the testing of existing, modified and/or new functionality deployed in the desktop tools.  
• Recommends improvements and/or procedural modifications that may enhance the customer experience as they interact with any of the deployed desktop tools.  
• Attends mandatory training sessions and participates in team meetings as needed.
• Able to make important and informed decisions.
• Applies software development skills to solve business challenges.
• Able to work effectively and collaboratively with colleagues and peers.
• Team player who will be committed to a timely completion of assigned tasks.
• Detail oriented, organized and able to keep track of multiple tasks being performed simultaneously.
• Demonstrate good customer service support skills.
• Self-starter and demonstrated ability to work productively with limited supervision.
• Ability to perform effectively and efficiently in a fast paced environment working under strict deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills: (1) the ability to communicate technical information to non-technical personnel and (2) interview end users to gather information on defects, requirements for new functionality and/or to address end user’s requests for support.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite.

Talent and Resources, Aligned. www.superiorjobs.com. EOE M/F/D/V  Requirements: 

Required Skills / Qualifications:

• BS degree in Computer Science, MIS or related field.
• Minimum of 4 years experience in development and maintenance of Transactional Business Applications written in MS Access.                                                                                                                      
• Minimum of 4 years experience developing automated solutions utilizing MS Access 2007 or better (MS Access 2002 experience will be considered), VB and/or VBA, MS Excel 2010.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience maintaining, enhancing and/or developing desktop based applications utilizing MS Access and MS Excel.
• Minimum of 4 years experience in VB and/or VBA.
• Minimum of 4 years experience in System Testing and Q/A.
• Minimum of 4 years experience in Windows XP.
• Minimum of 3 years experience with software testing (unit, system, performance and regression) and developing test scenarios, test cases and document test results.
• Minimum of 3 years experience in MS Excel.

Minimum of 2 years experience in the following:

• Systems Analysis & Requirements definition.
• MS Word.                                                                             
• MS Power Point.                                                                    

Preferred Skills / Qualifications:

• SAP CRM experience.
• Knowledge of SAP CRM.

Location:  Milwaukee , WI Minimum Experience (yrs):  Required Education:  Not Specified

EOE/M/F/D/V

It makes a big difference on who might apply for the position when the requirements are listed doesn't it (yes, I know there will still be unqualified people applying)? I wonder how much time has been wasted by the recruiters from the company going though resumes from people who honestly thought they were qualified because they saw the Indeed ad, but not the ad on the company website?

In fairness I am not saying the difference in these two ads is the fault of Indeed or any other websites. What I am suggesting is two things:

1. Make sure the requirements you want the candidates to have are listed first. Hit the candidates right away with what you want them to have. Then what you want them to be able to do. Save some time for yourself and save time for the candidates too.

2. Check how your ads look on the different websites and devices you have from time to time.

Thanks!

Ev
"A Heck of A Nice Guy"