The foundation of a strong company culture starts with clear communication. One of the earliest forms of communication in any hiring process is the job description. While many see job descriptions as a list of tasks, they are tools for setting the tone of the workplace and aligning expectations with company values. In this blog, we’ll examine how accurately representing company culture through job descriptions can build trust, boost employee engagement, and create a more cohesive team.
What is company culture
Company Culture is the personality of a business and is something that can only be felt. It’s not a tangible asset or a rating on a site. It is the shared values, behaviors, traditions, and beliefs that shape what and how an organization does things.
What is a job description
The job description provides clear expectations on the responsibilities, duties, skills, and qualifications needed for a job. It is a document that provides guidelines for job promotions, yearly evaluations, and setting salaries. It can also be a tool for managers to confirm if an employee is meeting performance expectations.
Because of its power to communicate, the job description is a foundational component of organizational culture. Get it right and trust can be established early between employees and employers forging long-lasting partnerships and positive work cultures. Get it wrong and many problems can arise as a result of this one document.
Company values and attracting the right candidate
Clear company values set standards for what is expected and provide shared organizational goals the entire company can work to uphold. When hiring for values, turn them into examples in job descriptions. Describing the type of person or traits that would be a good fit for the company will draw in like-minded candidates to apply for the open position.
Establish a foundation for performance management
Clear job descriptions offer employees a roadmap for success, outlining expectations and performance measures. If a job description is accurate, employees know exactly how they’ll be assessed during performance reviews and what they need to do to excel. On the other hand, an unclear or outdated job description creates uncertainty, leaving employees unsure of how to meet expectations or advance their careers.
Effects of hiring on team morale
Engaged employees are more likely to stay with the company, contribute effectively, and perform at a higher level because they feel valued and connected to their role. However, poor hiring decisions, such as bringing in a nurse who lacks the required skills, can harm team morale. The existing team must pick up the slack, leading to frustration and disengagement. On the flip side, hiring the right candidates and ensuring that employees have the necessary resources can boost productivity and team cohesion. Employees who see their contributions making a real impact are more motivated and satisfied, helping the organization function more efficiently.
Challenges
When job description and company culture don’t align
When employees are placed in an environment where company values or their required job duties aren’t clear, they may struggle to adapt to change. With mismatched values, job skills, and required job duties, employees will realize that things aren’t what they expected them to be. For example, if a company values transparency and communication, but they engage in questionable behavior that leaves employees in the dark or blindsided, the company is likely to foster a negative company culture.
Unclear job descriptions can contribute to high turnover and new hires with the wrong skills
Job descriptions should aim to be clear and realistic about what they are seeking in a candidate. Use company values and desired skills to guide you in writing a job posting. Clear values and skills in a job description will give you a better chance of attracting candidates who are a good fit. Without being clear, you run the risk of making a bad hiring decision, frustrating employees and candidates with mismatched or unclear expectations of reality. You also run the risk of hiring an ineffective employee because the company wasn’t transparent or communicative about what they were looking for. Hiring someone lacking the desired skills can also cause turnover when the new hire realizes they don’t have the knowledge and skillset to do the job successfully.
Addressing how company culture changes over time
As company culture shifts and matures, new challenges often emerge. Communicating these changes can be complex, especially when long-standing values are questioned by employees or leadership, creating resistance. When a company grows, hires new employees, or alters its business strategy, maintaining the original culture can become increasingly difficult. Regularly updating job descriptions is essential to ensure they stay in tune with the company’s evolving values and responsibilities. Mosh JD can help you craft updated job descriptions that better capture changes in roles and expectations, ensuring alignment with the company’s current direction.
Using neutral words to describe company culture
When describing company culture it is important to use neutral words in order to create a professionally objective environment that welcomes all employees. Neutral language avoids unconscious bias that can unintentionally exclude certain groups of people or suggest certain behaviors are superior to others. Using neutral words also gives a straightforward look at the company’s culture and values.
Reputation as an employer
One major issue is when job descriptions and values are poorly integrated, leading to situations like candidates going through a lengthy four-stage interview process without knowing the pay or learning during new hire orientation that the job is not what was originally described. These disconnects create frustration, resulting in high turnover, and tarnishing the company’s reputation. If candidates feel misled or undervalued, they are likely to see the company as disorganized or deceptive, ultimately driving away top talent and making it harder to attract the right people in the future.
Regularly updating job descriptions to reflect accurate roles and responsibilities is crucial. Mosh JD can help ensure your job descriptions align with evolving company culture, reducing the risk of hiring mismatches and protecting your reputation.
As organizations grow and evolve, the alignment between job descriptions and company culture becomes increasingly important. Job descriptions that accurately reflect the company’s values and expectations serve as a foundation for successful hiring and performance management. They help attract candidates who not only have the right skills but also share the company’s vision. By ensuring that job descriptions are clear and consistent with company culture, businesses can build lasting relationships with employees and create a work environment where everyone can thrive.
