"If we post this job, we’ll be flooded with resumes that don't fit."
If you’re in recruiting and you’ve never thought this at some point, you’re lying.
It’s a real problem. The “resume black hole” isn’t some nefarious conspiracy. It’s simple math. Volume exceeds the ability to review it.
What’s the root cause? Lack of specificity.
If your job ads are just generic job descriptions - which let’s be fair, are copies of other job descriptions half the time - of course you’re going to get a thousand applicants.
Even if you throw in a “must have or else” at the bottom.
Why? Because it’s boring and no one’s going to read the damn thing anyway.
I know there are recruiters out there saying “Bullsh*t! Randos will apply no matter what!” (Happened last time I brought this up.)
Counterpoint: why isn’t *every* job you work on flooded with off-the-mark candidates then?
Because some jobs narrow themselves. When they don’t? You have to.
Try this. Start your “we’ll get flooded” job ad with the negatives. Yes, negatives. Front and center. The world won’t end. People will find it refreshing.
And some won’t apply.
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