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Managing job descriptions in multiple languages sounds easy until you’re in it. One edit in English and suddenly you’re juggling five different versions across five time zones.
That’s the pain global TA teams keep telling me about. Everyone wants job description software that works in multiple languages — inside the platform.
Spoiler: Ongig doesn’t do that yet. But what we do offer (and what’s working for our global clients) is job description translation after the English version is finalized.
Why TA Teams Care About Job Description Translation
If you’re hiring across borders, you can’t wing it with a Google Translate button. Candidates notice. And they judge your brand accordingly. One of our international clients told us their old process involved sending JDs to marketing, waiting three weeks, and hoping nothing got lost in translation — literally.
The challenge? Managing consistent, inclusive, on-brand content that works globally. It’s not just about words. It’s about tone, clarity, and cultural context. A phrase that reads fine in English might be awkward — or even offensive — in another language.
What Translation Really Looks Like (When Done Right)
When our clients use Ongig, they edit and optimize their job postings in English first. That includes removing jargon, simplifying language, and running them through our bias and readability tools. Then, if they need translations, we help with that next step.
Once users in our Text Analzyer platform finish their edits, they click on the “Export” button in the job editor. Next, they choose their export format (Word Doc, for example), and then choose the language to translate to and click “Export”.:
This saves a translated version to your computer or emails it to someone on the team. You can also set up syncs to an ATS, and we always recommend someone “audit” the translation before pushing it live to your career site, just to be safe.
3 Lessons From the Field
- Centralize first, then localize. One client in Europe had hiring managers editing JDs in five different languages. They moved to a centralized English library in Ongig, made their edits there, then translated the final versions. Less chaos, more control.
- Don’t assume tech will fix it all. A global brand told us they tested “auto-translate” features in another tool — and got burned. The translations looked good on screen, but candidates flagged errors. Candidate trust tanked.
- Be intentional with what you translate. One North American TA leader told us they only translate the jobs where they’re actively sourcing globally. It’s a smart way to avoid spending time and money where it’s not needed.
So, Should Job Description Translation Be In-Platform?
Honestly? It depends on your workflow. If your JD process is a mess in one language, adding four more won’t help. Get your foundation solid first — clean content, consistent tone, one source of truth — then layer on translation.
That’s where we see teams win. They use Ongig to fix their JDs, then hand off clean, consistent English versions for professional translation. No guessing. No back-and-forth. No weird phrases that make your employer brand look like it was written by a robot.
Why I Wrote This
We keep hearing from global teams struggling with multi-language job descriptions. This post is for you. If you’re tired of translation chaos, request a demo and see how Ongig can help you get your English job descriptions right before the translation step. It’s not in-app yet, but we’ve got your back with the next best thing.
FAQs
Does Ongig support live multi-language editing?
No, but we offer post-editing translation support.
What languages does Ongig translate into?
The platform currently translates to 10 languages (Danish, French, German, Hungarian, Norwegian, Polish, Romanian, Spanish, Swedish, and Ukrainian). But we work with you to match translators based on your markets.
Can I edit job descriptions in French, Spanish, or German within Ongig?
Not yet. All editing currently happens in English before external translation.
Is translation included in the Ongig subscription?
Translation is included in the premium tier. Or as an add-on to other tiers.
