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By David Roppo
99% of the job postings written in the marketplace, today, are to great candidates what Back Woods Off is to mosquitoes – great repellent!
In this day and age, there are less qualified candidates to choose from. Surely, if they happen to read your post, you don’t want to send them running for the hills. Unfortunately, that is exactly what happens most of the time.
Without question, finding great talent has become increasingly more difficult. I believe there are a few fundamental reasons for that. Perhaps the biggest reason is the 18-24, working class, age group has only grown by 0.6 percent from 2000 to 2010. The 45-64 group, however, has grown 31.5 percent during the same period. In short, there are, and will continue to be, more people leaving the workforce than entering. Basically, the personnel pool is shrinking.
As a leader, if you want to find the talent you need in the years to come, you might want to consider a new and more creative approach – one that begins with a job posting that answers the following sixty-four-thousand-dollar question:
What’s in it for the candidate?
Surprisingly 99% of them do not. Below are two job postings. They both offer the same starting wage for similar positions. Read through each job post, carefully, then tell me which one you would respond to and why.
Retail Sales Associate
Unload merchandise and move directly to the sales floor. Read, interpret, follow, and execute plan-o-grams without supervision.
About us:
We are a fast-moving publicly traded company with more than 10,000 stores in 45 states. We work in a fast-paced energetic atmosphere that embraces innovation and teamwork. In our company, you can see a clear and quick path for advancement and career growth. We are committed to attracting talented and motivated people who can advance our vision and mission.
Position Summary:
The Sales Associate will act as the point of contact for customers, assist in setting and maintaining plan-o-grams and programs, stock merchandise in a timely manor and according to specifications, and perform other duties as necessary to maximize profitability, customer satisfaction, and teamwork, while protecting company assets.
Job Functions:
Unload delivery trucks
Follow procedure to receive, unpack, and move merchandise to the sales floor
Build merchandising displays
Stock merchandise
Rotate and face merchandise
Assist customers by locating merchandise
Comply with company policies and procedures
Greet customers
Operate register to total customer’s purchase and bag merchandise
Assist with ordering merchandise using hand-held scanners
Clean front end of store and help set up displays
Required Skills:
Effective interpersonal and oral communication skills
Understanding of safety policies and practices
Ability to read and follow plan-o-grams without guidance
Knowledge of basic cash handling procedures
Basic mathematical skills
Work Experience and/or Education:
High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
Compensation:
Starting wage – $10.00 per hour
For consideration, complete an application and associate assessment online at firststopretailers.com
Now, here’s the second posting:
Customer Service Associate – A Retail, Business Management, Career Fast-Track
3 reasons why you’ll say, “I love my job,” on the path to a very rewarding and unimaginably, successful career in retail, business management.
Thank you for your interest in ABC Company. We appreciate you exploring the possibility of joining our team.
About the Position:
Are you currently pursuing or considering a career in retail, business management? We have both part and full-time entry level customer service associate positions available. Our training programs are second to none in the industry, so you’ll learn everything there is to know about retail management, and you’ll have fun doing it. Starting wage for Customer Service Associates is $10.00 per hour.
About the Company:
ABC Company is rated among the top ten retailers in the U.S, although many of our employees will tell you that, in their eyes, we’re number one. We believe the majority of big box retailers have taken the fun out of retail, destroyed the employee experience, and in turn, negatively impacted the customer experience. At ABC, we believe caring is both contagious and reciprocal. Many companies feel that the customer comes first. It is our firm belief that employees come first. We know that if we genuinely care about our employees, and put them first, they, in turn, will put customers first. This philosophy creates a thriving and successful culture and delivers a positive experience for everyone, especially the customer.
What’s in it for you:
1.Unlimited opportunity and advancement in retail, business management to shift supervisor, assistant manager, manager, district manager ETC. Our store managers are earning $70,000 per year plus. District managers are averaging $95 to $100,000 per year.
2.Recognition, praise, and reward for achievement, hard work and hi-performance.
3.A positive workplace environment and a culture which is based on thriving and successful team members. (Your success is our success)
How to Apply:
We have a limited number of positions available so don’t delay. For immediate consideration, contact Jane Smith by phone at 273 – ###- #### or email your cover letter and resume to [email protected]
Which post would you reply to? Feel free to leave a comment.
Simply put, a job posting is a sales pitch! To write compelling job posts, you must learn to think like a marketer. What’s your company’s unique selling position. How can you convey that and answer the sixty-four-thousand-dollar question in the ad. Of course, if you succeed in attracting high quality candidates, you will have to back it up. You can’t just talk the talk, you must also walk the walk. If you can’t deliver on it, then don’t write it.
As a leader, finding qualified candidates is the first step, but, to be successful, you must also hire, develop and retain them as well. That requires leadership, but not the conventional, trickle-down type. I’m talking about a new, but proven, revolutionary approach for the 21st century.
Head over to my website, download my free book “Legendary Leadership Secrets, Revealed,” and I’ll show you, exactly, step by step, how to find, hire, develop, and retain talent, and how to lead them in the 21st century.
Isn’t it about time for better employees, bigger margins, extraordinary, leadership success, and some peace of mind?
About
Download my free book “Legendary Leadership Secrets, Revealed,” and I’ll show you, exactly, step by step, how to find, hire, develop, and retain talent, and how to lead them in the 21st century.
