Let’s Roast.
This week, we’re roasting a job ad that’s as confusing as Toronto Pearson Airport’s missing Terminal 2. A role buried in jargon, with a title that doesn’t match the responsibilities, and a salary so MIA it might as well be on a delayed flight. For job seekers, it’s a warning. For hiring managers, it’s a lesson in how not to attract talent. Buckle up, this one’s a wild ride.
Follow along with the full job ad here:
The Bigger Picture
Why do organizations treat job postings as an afterthought, when they’re the first impression for both top talent and the public? This isn’t just about clarity, it’s about respect. A well-designed job ad signals a well-designed role, and a well-designed role is the foundation of a functional team. If you can’t articulate what you need, how can you expect to get it?
At a Glance: The Job Profile
Job Title: Scheduler
Report-to Title: “Your Manager”
Company Size: 10,001+ (Consortium)
Industry: Construction
What do they do?: Special-purpose consortium formed to manage major infrastructure projects at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
Head Office Location: Mississauga, ON, Canada
Job Location: Mississauga, ON, Canada
Geographical Operating Area: Mississauga, ON, Canada
Job Type: Full-Time, Unknown Duration
For the Job Seekers
Did you come across a job ad like this? These questions might help you shed some light on what working there is really like:
If the job title and responsibilities don’t align, ask: “Which one is the priority—scheduling or project management? And why the discrepancy?”
No salary listed? “What’s the range for this role, and why isn’t it transparent?”
Vague reporting structure? “Who will I report to, and how does this role fit into the larger team?”
Missing benefits or perks? “What’s the full compensation package, including benefits, professional development, and work-life balance?”
High-stakes environment? “What support or resources are in place to ensure success in this role?”
For the Job-Seeker Seekers
Are you writing a job ad for a similar role? Consider these hidden issues that might impact the success of your recruitment campaign:
Issues
Misaligned Title/Responsibilities: Confuses candidates and may deter qualified applicants from applying.
Lack of Transparency: No salary, benefits, or job duration creates distrust and wastes time for both parties.
Poor Role Design: Combining scheduler and project manager duties without clarity risks burnout and inefficiency.
Weak Employer Branding: Fails to sell the organization’s culture, mission, or value proposition.
Outcomes
Missed Talent: Top candidates may overlook or avoid the role due to ambiguity.
High Turnover: Unclear expectations lead to mismatched hires and quick departures.
Reputation Damage: Signals disorganization and lack of respect for candidates’ time.
Fixes
Clarify the Role: Separate scheduler and project manager duties or clearly define the hybrid expectations.
Include Salary & Benefits: Transparency builds trust and attracts serious candidates.
Define Reporting Structure: Candidates need to know their place in the hierarchy and decision-making authority.
Sell the Culture: Highlight what makes the organization unique—mission, values, growth opportunities.
The Verdict
Jennifer Houle:
2 / 10 (Job Ad)
2 / 10 (Role Design)
I’m mad at this job ad. There’s no information in it that describes to the candidate why they should apply or work for this organization. It doesn’t even list a salary, which is a legal requirement for companies of this size regulated by the Province of Ontario.
Paul Austin-Menear:
3 / 10 (Job Ad)
1 / 10 (Role Design)
Total clusterf*ck. Is this actually a Scheduler job, or is it a Project Manager job in disguise? The requirements listed out suggest the latter, but I suspect they’ll try to pay the salary of the former… because it’s lower. The bait-and-switch nature of it pisses me off.
Support the Show
Roast the Post is a passion project of Jennifer Houle and Paul Austin-Menear. The show helps job-seekers and employers get dud job ads out of their lives. There are several ways that you can help us on our mission to unf*ck the hiring process…
1 —> Share this episode with someone who’d like it.
2 —> Pick up a copy of our new e-Book, the Job Description Decoder and leave a review. Proceeds will be donated equally to Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon and the Toronto Humane Society.
3 —> Send us a one-time or recurring tip on Buy Me a Coffee. This helps pay for our production costs.
