Competency-based versus task-based job descriptions: effects on applicant attraction

In order for organizations to attract applicants, they need to ensure they are using attractive recruitment techniques. Limited previous research has examined the effect of varying types of job description formats on applicants’ level of attraction to an organization. This study examined applicants’ attraction to organizations based on competency-based and job-based job descriptions. Participants were finance, management, or nursing students actively or soon to be engaged in a job search. All were asked to evaluate two potential jobs based on provided job descriptions. One description was competency based and the other was task based. Job descriptions were tailored based on academic major and anticipated career goals. Personality and love of learning were also assessed as previous literature suggested these constructs could affect attraction to a particular job description. Overall results suggest no difference in attraction across the two types of job descriptions and love of learning was not related to applicant attraction. However, openness to experience was positively related to evaluations of competency-based job descriptions for nursing majors. Implications and future research are discussed.