Write Better Job Descriptions to Eliminate Gender Bias

 

Writing accurate and descriptive job summaries is essential for attracting the right type of talent. If your job descriptions are too vague or generic, you may end up attracting a large talent pool that isn’t qualified for the job — and your screening process will take that much longer. Another important thing to keep in mind is the risk of gender bias. Some roles may often be assumed by either men or women, but you cannot discriminate based on sex for any position at your company. You need to make sure your job description conveys that anybody qualified for the position should apply — regardless of gender.

Here are some ways to write better job descriptions to eliminate gender bias:

1. Be mindful of word choice.

Avoid using masculine words in your descriptions, no matter how much you want to emphasize a certain trait or characteristic. For example, avoid using words like ‘assertive,’ ‘decisive,’ ‘driven,’ and other terms that tend to be linked to masculine energies.

2. Highlight must-have skills.

It will be in your favor to prioritize the must-haves and ‘nice-to-haves’ within your job description. Even a bulleted list can make it easier for the candidate to determine whether they are truly qualified for the job. This will help screen out candidates that could be a ‘maybe’ so you don’t have to move forward with an interview.

3. Eliminate nonessential skills.

Unless having an outgoing personality or similar qualities are required to perform the job well, eliminate nonessential skills that tend to turn otherwise-qualified female talent away. Provide a taste of company culture, but you don’t create a job description for a model employee. You want the employee’s unique personality and contributions to benefit your team, so you may not need to create a laundry list of traits, work habits, or personal characteristics as part of the job description.

If you need help with your financial recruiting efforts, consider working with an award-winning staffing firm. Casey Accounting and Finance Resources can help you attract quality candidates.

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How Will TED Talks Help Your Career in 2017?

If you want to improve your career prospects in 2017 or simply invest in your career this upcoming year, don’t overlook the value of watching TED talks. TED speakers come from all walks of life to share unique perspectives and insights about their industry, life, spirituality and everything in between. Whether you need some motivation to get your career on track or want to develop some leadership skills, tune in to a few TED talks to boost your career opportunities this year.

Finding Work You Love

If you’re still trying to find your dream job or figure out what career path you want to explore in the upcoming years, maybe it’s time to rediscover your passion. If your job has become a source of misery and you’re trying to find meaningful work, watch this TED talk by Scott Dinsmore: How to find work you love.

Getting Back Into the Workforce

If you’ve decided to return to the workforce after a few years of being a stay-at-home parent, traveling or any other reason, you’ll need to develop some skills to re-enter the workforce and secure your ideal job. In some cases, an internship may be a necessary step towards career success — especially if you’ve been out of work for some time. You’ll want to watch Carol Cohen’s TED talk: How to get back to work after a career break for some tips.

Feeling Good About Your Work

Are you satisfied with your job or role? Do you wish you had more motivation and desire to work harder? If you’ve been wondering how to find meaning in your work or are just curious about how we find a sense of purpose in our work, tune in to this TED talk by behavioral economist Dan Ariely: What makes us feel good about our work?.

The new year is the perfect time to take stock of your career, map out some goals and determine where you want to go next. If you need help finding your dream job, consider working with an award-winning accounting recruiter. Casey Accounting & Finance Resources can help you get your career back on track.

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2017 Salary Survey for Accounting and Finance

Casey Accounting & Finance Resources has compiled updated salary data for the fields of accounting and finance. With the start of the year, candidates are looking for jobs as a part of their resolution, making the job market busy.

With compensation trends changing on a monthly basis, both sides can benefit from having this information during job negotiations.

Casey Accounting & Finance Resources can help financial professionals who want to learn more about what salary expectations should be. We have compiled our salary survey list with updated facts and figures including job descriptions for more than 120 accounting and finance positions for the Chicago metropolitan area.

Email us today at FinancialSalarySurvey@caseyresources.com and we will be happy to share this with you.  In the “YOUR MESSAGE” section, please enter “2017chicago-finance-recruiters Accounting & Finance Salary Survey”.  Enjoy the rest of the summer!