In defense of "rock star developers" as part of your job description.

In defense of “rock star developers” as part of your job description.

Well, not a defense of currently using that term. No one should still be using the term. However, how about the first person who used that in a job description? I think I can defend that now.

I talk to startups who are hiring regularly. I also post most of the job descriptions to the ATDC job board. What I think the job description world could use is better writing and better story telling.

Most description start with a stock paragraph about the company then go to a stock paragraph about the job then bullet points that even the best candidate checks 3/4 of the boxes.

My pitch, share a vision for the company and how this job helps achieve that vision. Startups need doers and dreams not box tickers with ‘x’ years of experience.

As terribly cliché and un-helpful as the term ‘rock star programmer’ became, in the beginning, it helped define the person and define what the company needed from the person.

Everything is story and job descriptions are no different. Share the journey of the company and how this role is going to help in that journey. Be specific and creative in wording and look for those who want to join for those reason.