Communication

Why is good communication important?

The way you communicate can mean the difference between success and failure. Plain language, avoiding jargon and using acronyms sparingly will make your opportunity more accessible.

Complicated language can feel intimidating and confusing, potentially putting people off going further in the process.

Take time to consider how much information you need to give. You'll always need to write an opportunity description, as this is your essential tool to communicate information about your opportunity. 

Tips for communicating well

You should also consider:

• Would it be helpful to write a role description outlining any skills and experience your opportunity needs? Remember to keep it short and succinct.
• Do you want people to apply for a specific role? It might be helpful to ask people to fill in a simple application form if so. Download an example application form.
• Where will you be promoting your opportunity? On a website, notice board, e-bulletin or social media? You'll need to communicate in different ways depending on the method you choose. We recommend using multiple paths and tweaking your communication style for each. Just make sure your core message stays the same. 
• Who are you hoping to communicate with? Some methods of communication will speak to specific audiences better than others.
• Make sure the opportunity is as accessible as possible. For example, some disabled people might need easy read booklets or coloured paper information packs.
• When meeting with people face to face or speaking over the phone, you also need to think about how you are communicating. Be responsive, and try to connect with people on a human level. Be yourself, don’t overcomplicate things, and be understanding.

Tools

Creating a group agreement

If you're asking people to join a one-off focus group or discussion event, a group agreement lets everyone know where they stand and helps to create a safe space for openness and honesty. If you're setting up a regular forum, make sure you have some terms of reference in place to define expectations.

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