Ah, the job advert—a peculiar beast that’s been around as long as people have been trading their time for money. Once upon a time, job ads were simple. You'd see a notice on a board or in a newspaper, written in straightforward language that told you what was needed and what you'd earn. But alas, like many things in our modern world, job ads have devolved into a baffling maze of jargon, buzzwords, and wishful thinking.
It seems that in their quest for innovation, some companies have decided that the best way to attract talent is to confuse them first. Because nothing says "we value clarity and communication"quite like an ad that reads like it was written by a committee of robots who recently discovered a thesaurus. Let's take a journey through time and explore how job ads have changed over the years—and not always for the better.
The Good Old Days: Clarity and Simplicity
Back in the day, job ads were like a freshly brewed cup of tea—simple, warm, and straightforward. They didn’t try to impress you with flowery language or abstract concepts. Instead, they got straight to the point.
Imagine a world where a job advert might have said:
"Wanted: Skilled Carpenter. Must have experience with hand tools. £15 per week. Apply at 23 High Street."
No nonsense, no frills. Just a clear message: here's the job, here's the pay, and here's how to apply. You knew exactly what you were getting into—assuming you were a carpenter, of course.
The Rise of the Buzzword
Fast-forward a few decades, and the job advert landscape started to become a little... crowded. Enter the era of the buzzword. Suddenly, every company was searching for someone "dynamic,""innovative,"or "forward-thinking."It was as if someone had declared a war on plain speaking, and buzzwords were the new weapon of choice.
Where a company once sought a "Sales Assistant,"they now wanted a "Sales Ninja"or "Revenue Architect."Marketing departments worldwide seemed to believe that adding "guru"to a title would somehow translate into higher productivity. Spoiler alert: it did not.
The Unattainable Wish Lists
Next came the era of the unattainable wish list—otherwise known as the job description. Employers began to believe they could find a unicorn: a candidate who was an expert in multiple unrelated fields, had 10+ years of experience in an industry that didn’t exist five years ago, and was willing to accept an intern’s salary.
What started as a reasonable list of skills slowly morphed into a litany of absurd expectations. Adverts began to read like a fantasy novel:
"Seeking a proactive self-starter with a PhD in rocket science who can also handle administrative tasks, manage a high-stress environment, and make a mean cup of coffee."
Oh, and let’s not forget the "must be passionate"requirement because who doesn’t dream of being passionate about data entry?
The Endless List of Perks (That Aren’t Perks)
In an attempt to lure talent, companies started padding their ads with perks. But somewhere along the way, they got confused about what counts as a perk. Free coffee? That’s just being human. An "open-plan office"? That's not a perk; it's a productivity black hole. "Casual Fridays"? So, one day a week you’re allowed to dress like a normal person?
Yet, somehow these "perks"became standard fare in job ads, often overshadowing the things that genuinely matter, like competitive salaries, career growth opportunities, and the ever-elusive work-life balance.
The Current State: Overstimulation and Confusion
Today, job adverts are like a smorgasbord of overthought concepts and misguided creativity. They bombard potential candidates with so much information that it's a wonder anyone applies for anything. It’s as if employers are more interested in showcasing their creative writing skills than in actually filling a position.
Instead of focusing on what truly matters—like clear responsibilities and reasonable expectations—job ads have become a showcase of overly ambitious demands and irrelevant details. The modern job seeker is left to decipher whether they're applying for a job or signing up for a reality TV show.
Hiring Without the Nonsense
Ready to bring some sanity back to your recruitment process? At Coburg Banks, we specialise in crafting job ads that are honest, clear, and effective. We believe in straightforward communication that connects the right people with the right opportunities.
If you’re tired of the buzzwords and wish lists and want to focus on attracting real talent, get in touch. We promise to keep the ninjas and gurus to a minimum—unless, of course, you’re recruiting for a dojo.
