Words we should ban from job ads, descriptions and freelance call outs
There's a deeper impact beyond the ick...
I love reading job descriptions. Even when I’m in a role, on a contract or have plenty of work, I’ve always enjoyed scrolling job ads, seeing what’s out there and how the roles are described.
But lately there have been quite a few that have thrown up (and made me want to throw up) words which are just so ick.
The one I often see is rockstar. Second only to Guru. Wizard. Ninja (thanks to all those people who, when I asked about this, said ‘ninja’ was their job ad ick word).
At first, for me this was quite a funny thing. I was planning to make this missive about the words and why they are so ‘gross’. The language is thoughtless and lazy. Apart from anything else it’s inaccurate.
Rockstar - do I need my own guitar?
Guru - well, I do Yoga and have been to India, does that help?
Ninja… it’s a long time since I did anything close to ninja moves.
Superhero - do I need a cape? I do have one, actually, from a charity shop that I customised with pink fringing. No? Oh. How about my crocheted one? Hello?
Even in one job listings email recently, there was someone looking for a ‘content architect’. Please.
It’s not just full-time job ads, either. I see these words and others (please do share yours if you have more!) in shout outs from companies who are looking for freelancers.
They want people who are ‘stars’, who are multi-tasking wizards…
It’s all so… high octane. So very ‘go go go!’.
Which leads me to the more serious part.
Huge thanks to writer Diane Shipley, who shared her feelings on this with me when I also posted on Instagram asking for people’s take on ‘ick words’.
Diane shared her ick word was ‘energetic’. She added: “I suspect it often means they want you to work beyond a reasonable capacity, plus I have an energy-limiting illness but can still do good creative work!”
And there’s the real rub.
These words, which have massive expectations, are actually restrictive for some because of how we interpret them. When the ick moment is gone at a word like ‘rockstar’, there are feelings left behind. Feelings that you won’t match up to their expectations, that they need someone who is so high-performing you won’t be a good fit.
You may feel, alongside the fear of job hunting in the current climate, that if you have to be an all-seeing, all-knowing expert/guru/ninja then you best not even suggest yourself for the role or contract, thinking that if they need someone who is AMAZING then you and your physical or mental challenges might not fit the bill.
And that’s a massive shame.
It’s a huge shame and worry for those seeking work, and it’s also a big shame for the recruiters. Because, by using these words, they are potentially putting off people who would be the perfect fit.
I’d love to see more companies use gentle words. To say they’re looking for someone ‘compassionate’ or ‘considered’, perhaps to use a word of the moment, more ‘demure’ than ‘brat’.
What do you think?
Share your ick words and alternatives in the comments and please do share this if you’ve enjoyed it.
xJenny
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