7 Deadly Sins of Tech Company Careers Pages
When you're recruiting for tech positions, you'll likely spend a lot of time looking at various careers pages. For the most part, this is an enjoyable experience as it often offers an unfiltered look into a company's culture and philosophy - giving you a sense of what the company is really all about. However, after you see a few thousand, you start to notice certain trends. Some of them make sense, but others have been so overused that it’s time to put them out of their misery. Here is our list of the seven most common cliches found on tech company careers pages.
1. WORK HARD, PLAY HARD
The phrase "work hard, play hard" is so open to interpretation that it has become virtually meaningless. Some job seekers may interpret this to mean socializing with their coworkers outside of work, while others will picture family-friendly outings. Also, keep in mind that many candidates are interested in maintaining a clear distinction between their personal and professional lives. If you assert that you work hard and play hard, this will not dissuade some people, but it will not attract them either.
2. DISRUPT, DISRUPTIVE OR DISRUPTING
More and more people are expressing their disdain for the term "Silicon Valley's emptiest buzzword," so we won't beat a dead horse. This phrase is overused to the point where people tune it out automatically, so don't bother saying it.
3. INNOVATIVE/AT THE FOREFRONT
If you are one of the lucky few who are leaders in your industry, you should be proud. As an industry leader, you probably won't have to tell candidates about the treasure they can find here - they'll already know. Instead of using worn-out adjectives to describe your company, take the time to illustrate what it is that makes you so innovative, and why potential candidates should want to be a part of it.
4. LIKE A STARTUP, BUT…
Just as you felt awkward the first time you received a Snap from your Aunt Carol, you may feel the same way when listening to a century-old investment bank or accounting firm tout its similarities to a startup. As a preliminary statement, we would like to say that there is nothing wrong with being an established company. While many candidates may find the security and stability of working for a large organization appealing, it is important to make sure you can back up any claims you make about the company being similar to a startup. What characteristics of your company make it comparable to a startup? Is the company dedicated to open source tech? The more specific you are, the better.
5. FAST PACED
This is another phrase that is often used with good intentions, but can be a warning sign for experienced job seekers. The truth is that employment at some companies comes with long hours and strict deadlines. While this may not be problematic if candidates are aware of what they are agreeing to, this is not the type of selling point that most recruiters would want to use as a lead-in. The term "fast-paced" was coined to imply the expectations of an applicant if they accepted the offer. A quick Google search will show you that "fast paced job" is not a desirable term for most organizations.
6. CHANGING THE FUTURE
Do you remember when we thought the future would be cool? We thought we would have jetpacks and flying cars, all food would come in pill form, and no matter what, we would be living in luxury condominiums on Mars. But if you look at most tech companies' careers pages, it would appear that the future is a very dark place that requires a lot of improvement. If you want to make a difference, don't just tell candidates you're changing the future. Show them how you're changing the future.
7. GRATUITOUS PINGPONG TABLE SHOTS
The culture of an organization can be seen in many things, such as the way its employees work together. The office space can play a role in a job seeker's decision to accept a new position, but don't expect the most qualified candidates to be swayed by your foosball table. Think outside the box when it comes to showing off your office space. RetailMeNot, for instance, permits job seekers to take a 360-degree video tour of its headquarters, and Bigcommerce employs Google maps to give an immersive walkthrough experience.
