It’s always very flattering to be asked to help judge industry awards. However, when it comes down to it and you have a pile of 25 nominations for each category (I joke not!) dealing with dreadful entries takes all the pleasure away. So here are my top tips on how to write an award winning awards entry.
READ THE BLOODY QUESTION
This is my number one tip. You can write four paragraphs of beautiful prose on why your company is so amazing BUT if you were asked to talk about your use of social media or employee engagement then I’m going to immediately see red.
STICK TO THE WORD COUNT
When I have 25 different entries to read I do not want some of them going waaay over the word limit. Additionally, once you’ve answered the question please stop talking. No waffle!
GIVE EXAMPLES, STATS AND FACTS
The number of times I’ve read a gushing narrative about the amazingness of a companies reward structure or revenue achievements without a single example or stat. You don’t have to give away your trade secrets but bear in mind that judges treat information shared in award entries with the utmost confidence.
DON’T USE JARGON
I’ve been in the recruitment industry for well over 20 years but still see strange acronyms and jargon on awards entries which means absolutely nothing to me. Hard for me to get excited about your entry when that’s the case.
BE PASSIONATE AND PERSUASIVE
I love an award entry where you can feel the company is a winner. Help bring that out in your entry by showing passion and the use of persuasive language.
Finally, this ought to go without saying – but ….
ONLY ENTER AN AWARD THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY WIN.
I’ve seen nominations for social media awards from companies who frankly my six year old has a bigger online presence than and “Manager” awards from bosses who could give Lord Sugar a run for his money.
Good luck!!
PS I help non recruitment businesses write their own award winning entries – so if you are outside of the staffing/recruitment industry do feel free to get in touch.
