Nick Misa

Augmented writing has taken off and employers have taken notice. You could hire a copywriter to write your job descriptions but wouldn’t you rather give your ENTIRE hiring team (recruiters and hiring managers included) augmented writing tools?

So, one of the biggest challenges is writing job descriptions that are gender-neutral and free of other bias.

This is where using an augmented writing tool helps so much.

What is Augmented Writing?

Augmented writing is writing that involves technology that serves as a writing coach.

It also helps improve writing by highlighting problem words and suggesting better words.

Augmented writing tools (which often use A.I.) are important for job descriptions because they notice things such as:

  • Gender bias — 94% of employers lean masculine.
  • Exclusionary words — You might be using politically incorrect/offensive terms.
  • Age bias — Did you know you can sued if you use language suggesting you want a young candidate (“digital native”, “recent grad”, “youthful energy”, etc.?
  • Unconscious bias — Remember, most bias is inadvertent (unconscious)…but the outcome is still poor if you have it.
  • Paragraph and sentence length —  The length of your sentences and paragraphs impacts your apply rate.
  • Use of bullets — Most JDs have bulleted sections but what’s the right # of bullets?
  • Optimal job titles — Many JDs use internal speak when it comes to a title (as opposed to what the candidate is searching for)

Augmented Writing Tools for Job Descriptions: Quick Comparison

ToolTypeBias DetectionJD-SpecificBest For
Ongig Text AnalyzerAugmented writing + AI Yes (gender, age, race, LGBTQ, disability, neurodiversity, former felons, elitism, mental religion, health)YesTeams writing JD at scale
TextioAugmented writing + AIYes (gender, age, disability, neurodiversity)YesEntire hiring teams
Datapeople (by Payscale)Augmented writing + AIYes (gender inclusivity)YesPay transparency and compliance
PowerPostsBehavioral science-based writingYes (neutrality)YesAttracting ideal-fit candidates
Job Page Grader (by Happydance)SEO and conversion analyzerNoYes Job page performance and SEO
CloversInclusive language optimizerInclusion and readability scoringYesATS & cross-platform inclusivity
Applied (by Phenom)Inclusion and conversion analyzerYes (gender requirements)YesInclusion and readability scoring
AdafaceAI writing + skills assessmentYes (neutral tone)Partial Tech role JDs
TextmetricsAugmented writingYes (gender inclusivity)NoMultilingual & enterprise JDs
GenderDecoderBias checkerYes (gender only)PartialQuick gender bias scans
GrammarlyGeneral writing assignmentLimitedNoGeneral writing polish
Hemingway AppReadability editorNoNoSimplifying complex copy

 

Text Analyzer (by Ongig)

Ongig’s Text Analyzer is an augmented writing tool focused on job descriptions. So, it’s part of Ongig’s mission to eliminate biased job descriptions.

Here’s an example of gender bias:

Ongig augmented writing tool gender bias

An augmented writing tool like Text Analyzer can also be used to identify racially charged phrases:

augmented writing job description tool race

Also, Text Analyzer flags LGBTQ+ bias too (e.g., personal pronouns):

augmented_writing_job_description_tool_lgbtq_bias

In addition, here is an example of age bias flagged in the Text Analyzer augmented writing tool:

augmented_writing_job_description_tool_age_bias

Ongig’s Text Analyzer also flags complex words (e.g., legalese) that is unnecessary — it even gives you a punchier synonym to replace it!:

augmented_writing_job_description_tool_complex words

So, here’s an example of Text Analyzer flagging excessive use of bullets:

augmented writing ongig excessive use of bullets

 

Ongig’s AI Writing Software Features

Ongig offers many AI writing features. For example, Ongig’s AI is behind Section Finder (see below), which is machine learning-based tech that makes educated guesses on which sections you use in a job description.  In addition, it’s been proven that more candidates apply to jobs based on certain sections (e.g. Benefits, Salary, Diversity Statement, etc.).

Ongig is AI writing software for writing job descriptions

Text Analyzer’s Key Features

  • Analyzes job descriptions in real-time
  • Gender Bias and Non-Gender Bias (including race, age, disability, LGBTQ and more)
  • Optimizes job description length and job titles
  • Has a “Paragraph Analyzer” to help shorten sentences
  • Highlights overuse of bullets or adverbs
  • Flags items that could get you sued or bad PR
  • AI Writing for creating job postings fast

Introducing Text Analyzer’s AI-Assisted JD Writer!

With our latest update, creating job postings from scratch has never been easier. Simply type in a job title, and let our AI-powered JD Writer do the rest. So, here’s how it works:

  1. Input Job Title: Firstly, open a new job, click “Write Sample,” and type in the desired job title, like “Web Developer.”

  2. Generate JD: Secondly, select the sections you want to include based on your custom templates, then click “Generate Now.”

  3. AI Content Creation: Text Analyzer then uses AI to craft a comprehensive JD, ready for use or editing.

  4. Optimize Content: In addition, you can reduce masculine bias and streamline sentences by clicking “Optimize Content” and  “Rewrite Now.” Then, watch your job score increase as the AI enhances your draft.

  5. Enhance Gender Neutrality: Replace feminine words with gender-neutral alternatives to further improve your score. Also, remove any “exclusionary words” to ensure inclusivity.

  6. View Changes: Additionally, compare versions with ease by clicking “View Changes” before finalizing your edits.

  7. Export Options: Easily export your optimized job posting to Word, PDF, or HTML. Also, premium and professional plans offer API integration for seamless ATS integration.

So, take advantage of these new Text Analyzer features by requesting a demo today and supercharge your recruitment workflow!

Text Analyzer Pricing

Ongig’s Text Analyzer’s pricing begins at $17,900 per year and is based on job volume and feature needs. There are free trials for companies that qualify. So, request a demo to get exact pricing.

For more tips on writing job descriptions, check out our How to Write a Job Description — Best Practices & Examples.

Clovers

Available as a Chrome extension, Clovers’ Inclusive Language Optimizer provides a comprehensive solution for enhancing language across job postings, candidate emails, LinkedIn InMails, and more.

Clovers Job Descriptions Optimizer Key Features

  • Analyzes job descriptions in real time and gives an initial inclusion score 
  • Identifies problematic terms and phrases related to  gender, race, ethnicity, physical ability, veterans, and LGBTQ+ individuals and replaces them with inclusive alternatives
  • Utilize it effortlessly in ATS systems, Google Docs, email clients, social media, and throughout the web for all your candidate communications. 

Clovers Pricing

Reach out to Clovers for more pricing information.

Textio

Textio is an augmented writing platform for different uses.

One of their goals is to give employers the words they need to attract the people they want to hire, using language that reflects the very best values and culture.

Textio Hire augmented writing

Textio Hire Key Features

  • Predicts how your writing will compete for talent
  • Suggests changes to get a more qualified and diverse candidate pool
  • Helps employers write new hiring content in a fraction of the time
  • Textio Score –  Measures how your job description will perform in today’s hiring market
  • Textio Verified: AI output has been pre-screened as “Safe for Work” (SFW) and free of “hallucinations” or “internet slop” common in generic AI
  • Provides deeper analysis on gender bias, ageism, disability inclusion, and neurodiversity
  • Integrations: They have expanded seamless integrations with ATS platforms like Workday, Greenhouse, iCIMS, Oracle, and SAP SuccessFactors

Textio Pricing

Textio’s pricing is determined by the number of jobs you have open at the time you subscribe.

Datapeople (now a Payscale company)

Datapeople’s Smart Editor specializes in augmented writing for job descriptions.

So, the goal is to help hiring teams write job descriptions that are thoughtful, concise, and welcoming to candidates from every background.

Datapeople

Datapeople’s Smart Editor Key Features

  • Provides language guidance on job descriptions
  • Provides content guidance via augmented writing on job descriptions
  • Job description score – Based on job title, job description structure, and avoidance of language known to make a bad impression.
  • First Draft AI: generate job content from scratch
  • Guidance and Compliance AI: handle local pay transparency laws

Datapeople Pricing

There are three plans: Comply. Architect and Attract. Reach out to them to request a custom quote.

Check out TapRecruit versus Ongig for a comparison of the 2 job description writing tools.

PowerPost

Powerposts is a behavioral-science-based platform that uses I/O (Industrial-Organizational) psychology to attract “Ideal Fit” candidates.

Powerposts

PowerPost’s Key Features

  • Scans postings. Highlights words that should be changed and suggests alternatives to make it entirely gender-neutral.
  • The tool doesn’t just check for “neutrality”; it crafts content to match the “Team Dynamic,” “Inner Hero,” and “Local Climate” of the role.
  • It now includes a module specifically for hiring managers and recruiters to collaborate on the “magnetic message” of a job post.
  • PowerAnalytics: They have added a dashboard that provides “Who-data,” showing how well your job descriptions are performing in real-time.

PowerPosts Pricing

Reach out to PowerPosts for more pricing details.

Job Page Grader (by Happydance)

augmented_writing_job_description_tool_job page grader

Job Page Grader is specifically designed to grade your individual job detail pages.

Job Page Grader’s Key Features

  • Scans job description pages by URL
  • Scans for sentiment and readability
  • Identifies words with gender bias
  • SEO: Whether the page is optimized for Google for Jobs.
  • Mobile Performance: How fast the page loads on a smartphone.
  • Conversion Optimization: Whether the “Apply” button is easy to find and the process is frictionless.

Job Page Grader Pricing

The Job Page Grader augmented writing tool is free by copying and pasting your job posting URL and email into the website.

Applied (now acquired by Phenom)

The Applied JD Analysis Tool is an augmented writing tool alternative out of the U.K. So, Applied (aka BeAppied) acts as a gender decoder for job ads.

Applied augmented writing tool

Applied JD Analysis Tool Key Features

  • Identifies any gendered language
  • Inclusion score – Measures gender coding, “must-have” requirement inflation, and over-emphasis on education.
  • Conversion score – Measures “Reading Burden” (complexity), word count, and “Buzzword Bingo” to predict how many candidates will actually finish the application
  • Flags corporate speak

Applied Pricing

Check Phenom’s website for details.

Adaface

Crafting compelling job descriptions is paramount to attracting top talent, yet it’s a challenge many companies face. Inspired by the practices of industry leaders such as Robinhood, Khan Academy, and Superhuman, Adaface introduces a powerful solution. So, by leveraging insights from thousands of technical interviews and the best practices of renowned companies, Adaface has developed a free Job Description and Job Title Generator that ensures your job postings stand out in today’s competitive landscape.

Key Features:

  • Job Description Generator: Adaface’s tool uses AI. So, empowers you to create concise and effective job descriptions effortlessly. Therefore, whether you’re seeking developers, engineers, or marketers, this tool ensures your JDs are on point every time. It also uses real-time insights and language patterns to tailor your postings to your target audience.
  • Free Templates: Access a repository of free job description templates, saving you time and effort while ensuring consistency across your hiring processes. Thus, from entry-level positions to executive roles, Adaface’s templates are designed to meet the personalized needs of each user, offering a clear idea and a set of alternative words to make your job postings stand out.
  • Inspiration from Top Companies: Gain insights from the job descriptions of industry giants like Slack, Intercom, and Root Insurance Co. So, include elements that resonate with candidates and you’ll attract the best candidates for your organization. Also, Adaface’s AI tools analyze language patterns and highlight words to ensure a neutral tone of voice to support fair and friendly hiring decisions. Thus, increasing response rates and enhancing the candidate experience.

In today’s fast-paced recruitment process, Adaface’s Job Description and Job Title Generator creates well-written content that speaks directly to your target group. With its user-friendly interface and powerful AI tools, Adaface takes the guesswork out of content creation, offering a valuable resource for recruiters and content writers alike. 

Pricing:

Adaface offers a range of subscription plans tailored to your hiring needs:

  • Individual – $180/year: Includes 12 credits annually.
  • Starter – $500/year: Provides 50 credits per year.
  • Pro – $900/year: Offers 100 credits annually.
  • Scale – $3000/year: Ideal for growing teams, providing 500 credits per year.
  • Growth – $5500/year: Suited for expanding organizations, offering 1000 credits annually.
  • Enterprise – $20,000/year: Designed for large enterprises, with 5000 credits per year.

How Credits Work:

  • Test Creation: Custom tests require 10 credits, while ready-to-use tests consume 5 credits each.
  • Candidate Invites: Each candidate invite costs 1 credit. If a candidate doesn’t take the test, the credit is refunded.

For example, creating one custom test (10 credits) and inviting 90 candidates (90 credits) would total 100 credits used.

Textmetrics

Textmetrics harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to offer an innovative solution that transforms your recruitment process. So, this platform revolutionizes job postings with a gender-neutral tone. It also reduced jargon and increases alignment with diversity and inclusion objectives.

Key Features:

  • Job Description Generator: The platform’s advanced algorithms ensure each job description is tailored to perfection. Thus, guaranteeing accuracy, error-free content, and alignment with your brand identity and diversity and inclusion goals. Therefore, by leveraging real-time insights and language patterns, Textmetrics creates job postings that resonate with your target audience, attracting diverse candidates and fostering inclusivity.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Designed with simplicity in mind, Textmetrics’s platform is accessible to recruiters of all levels. Its intuitive interface streamlines the job ad creation process, saving time and effort while empowering users to utilize its powerful features effectively. So, say goodbye to the complexity of traditional writing platforms and hello to a seamless experience that enhances your recruitment efforts.
  • Content Generation & Optimization: In addition, Textmetrics’s AI-powered Job Ad Generator seamlessly combines content generation and optimization. Craft engaging and compelling job postings that reflect your company’s values, culture, and desired characteristics effortlessly. Therefore, with advanced language capabilities, recruiters can create customized vacancies in just a few simple steps, ensuring each posting is tailored to attract the best candidates.
  • Inclusive Language: Textmetrics ensures your job descriptions incorporate inclusive language and promote equal opportunities. So, by attracting a diverse pool of candidates, you’ll foster a workplace where every individual feels valuable and finds representation. In effect, with Textmetrics, you can create job postings that resonate with diverse candidates, promoting inclusivity and enhancing the candidate experience.

Textmetrics creates job descriptions that attract the best candidates. With its user-friendly interface, powerful AI tools, and commitment to inclusivity, Textmetrics empowers recruiters to create job postings that stand out and attract top talent. 

Pricing:

Textmetrics offers flexible pricing plans tailored to your needs:

  • 7-day free trial
  • Pro Plan: starts at €99/month
  • Enterprise plan: Contact Textmetrics for details.

Gender Decoder

In recruitment, the language we use can subtly harbor biases. So, Gender Decoder highlights this by detecting and fixing linguistic gender-coding in job ads. There’s a lot of gender stereotypes in society today, and they often influence our choice of words, inadvertently blocking specific demographics.

Key Features:

  • Bias Detection: Gender Decoder meticulously identifies subtle biases ingrained in job ads. It uses a fixed word-list algorithm based on a specific 2011 research paper (Gaucher, Friesen, and Kay). This tool is a transparent “dictionary-checker” that scans specifically for a predetermined list of masculine-coded and feminine-coded words. From masculine-coded phrases to gendered stereotypes, Gender Decoder reveals linguistic nuances that might otherwise evade notice.
  • Research-Backed Insights: Drawing from extensive research, Gender Decoder underscores the impact of linguistic gender-coding on candidate perceptions. Words like “bossy” and “feisty” seldom describe men, perpetuating gender stereotypes. Empowering recruiters with research-backed insights, Gender Decoder enables them to confront these biases and cultivate inclusivity in their hiring endeavors.
  • Quick Assessment: In addition, Gender Decoder facilitates a swift and efficient evaluation of job adverts for linguistic gender-coding. Therefore, whether crafting new postings or reviewing existing ones, the platform offers real-time feedback to ensure language aligns with diversity and inclusion objectives. So, with instant insights, Gender Decoder streamlines the recruitment process, fostering an environment of inclusivity and equal opportunity.

Gender Decoder stands as a powerful tool to combat bias in job ads. Leveraging artificial intelligence and research-backed insights, it empowers recruiters to create language that resonates with diverse candidates. Thus, promoting inclusivity and fostering a more equitable hiring process.

Pricing:

Gender Decoder is available as a free resource to promote awareness and combat bias in job ads.

Other Augmented Writing Tools (not focused on job descriptions)

If you’re looking to leverage augmented technology beyond recruiting/HR, there are a couple of great tools to consider:

Grammarly — Grammarly is the best-known augmented writing tool for general writing. It has introduced “Career Guides” and specialized AI templates for recruiters, such as “Candidate Follow-up” and “Offer Letter Polish.” They still have a free tier, Pro now costs $30/month. For the enterprise, contact their sales department. 

HemingwayApp — This augmented writing tool focuses on general writing. There’s a free version. The new AI version of the tool has two tiers: the Individual 5K Plan ($8.33/month) and the Individual 10K Plan ($12.50/month).

Neither Grammarly or HemingwayApp is a job description tool. So, you won’t see any features like job title analysis or flagging of words that are known to hurt job ad performance. But they can be helpful to your overall writing.

 Limitations of AI Writing Tools

It’s important to remember that AI is meant to help you with administrative tasks, such as drafting job descriptions. Ultimately, you still need to review these job descriptions to ensure they accurately reflect the business requirements, align with your company culture, and comply with the law

FAQs

  1. Will using AI tools make my job postings look “robotic” to candidates? AI-generated job descriptions often lack company-specific details that make job postings remarkable. To avoid sounding robotic, always review and tweak your JDs with nuances specific to your organization, such as day-to-day team dynamics or growth opportunities.
  2. Do these tools handle legal compliance and salary transparency? Not 100%. AI models can still “hallucinate” or miss local regulations. Use augmented tools to generate the JD structure. But you still have to perform the final compliance audit to ensure salary ranges and physical requirements are legally defensible in your specific jurisdiction.
  3. Can AI-generated job descriptions actually improve my hiring diversity? Yes. Standard AI tools can accidentally generate biased job descriptions. But AI-powered job description software like Ongig is specially designed to flag gendered language (e.g., “ninja” vs. “expert”) and ageist phrasing. However, it’s crucial to review the job description to retain the employer’s voice and tone, striking a balance between neutrality and humanity.

Why I wrote this

Using augmented writing technology makes your job description writing punchier and, in some cases, more inclusive. And it can save your recruiters and hiring managers a bunch of time. To eliminate boring and biased job descriptions, check out Ongig’s Text Analyzer augmented writing platform to see more.

by in Writing Job Descriptions