A Different, but Authentic, Job Ad
Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to work with a Sage partner, Bill Delgado of Keystone Software Solutions, on creating a job placement ad for a position he has been trying to fill for several months.
It is a long story, but the gist of it is that it is really hard to find someone with a very specific skill set in the software implementation industry unless you either: a) hire someone from a competitor, or b) someone from another geographic area decides to move to your location, you have to be willing to groom your own new talent.
After a few failed attempts, however, to find the specific talent, Bill has decided to begin the search anew.
I suggested that they might want to rethink the ad they had been placing. I dug up an article I remember reading from Peter Block on how Ernest Shackleton advertised for people to join him on his failed excursion to the South Pole.
In the article Block suggests the following ad:
Join our organization and become part of a place where:
- You are expected to care primarily for the well-being of the institution and the larger society. We have no mentoring program, modest benefits and no organized way of planning your career.
- Our purpose is to do something important and worthwhile, even if we don't make the pages of Wired, Fast Company and Red Herring. Life is not a fashion show and we are not role models. Quick growth is overrated. Besides, who would want to go through life wired, in fast company and in pursuit of red herrings?
- The realistic chances of getting rich quickly are actually quite slim. Only a few players in our industry will really prosper, so come to work for a place where the experience of each day is a reward in itself, and let tomorrow take care of itself.
- Safe return doubtful. Our company is a risky place to be. The work is hard, the relationships are volatile and the management keeps changing its mind. Signs of imminent improvement are hard to find.
Here is the ad Bill is running this week.
Join Keystone Software Solutions and become part of a place where:
- Our purpose is to help business thrive through a synergy of people, processes and technology.
- You are expected to care primarily for the well-being of the organization and its customers. We have no mentoring program, modest benefits and no organized way of planning your career.
- The realistic chances of getting rich quickly are actually quite slim. Only a few players in our industry will really prosper, so come to work for a place where the experience of each day is a reward in itself, and let tomorrow take care of itself.
- Safe return doubtful. Our company is a risky place to be. The work is hard, the relationships are volatile and the management keeps changing its mind. Signs of imminent improvement are hard to find.
If interested, Keystone Software Solutions is seeking candidates to provide implementation and support services for financial and business management software. Prior experience implementing Sage MAS 90 business management software or accounting background is a plus.
I am curious as to what the response will be. What are your thoughts on this type of ad?