03 Tone of voice
Introduction
Our tone of voice defines how Talent IQ sounds. Use this section to keep every message human, warm and a little witty, whether it’s a job ad, a LinkedIn post or a client proposal.
Overview
Talent IQ speaks like a person, not a process. We’re confident, warm and plain-spoken, with a cheeky sense of humour and a habit of backing up our opinions with a good statistic. We never hide behind corporate jargon.
Youthful
Mature
Feminine
Masculine
Simple
Complex
Traditional
Contemporary
Friendly
Authoritative
Playful
Serious
Rebel
Conventional
Industrial
Natural
Economical
Expensive
Voice Principles
Talent IQ writes the way a smart, friendly recruiter talks over coffee: clear, honest and genuinely interested in people. We lead with a question or a provocation, back it up with a fact, and finish with something useful. We keep it short, we keep it human, and we always sound like we’re on your side.
Human
Write to people, not personas. Use “we” and “you”, share real stories and show that we understand both sides of the hiring table.
Witty
A little cheek goes a long way. Open with a question or a jab (“no hr? That’s like building without a foundation”), never at someone’s expense.
Smart
Back up opinions with cheeky statistics and real insight: “A bad hire can cost up to 30% of an employee’s annual salary.”
Warm
Be encouraging and transparent. Clients and candidates should always feel informed, supported and never left guessing.
Writing Style
Every message should reinforce what makes Talent IQ different: hiring that feels human, backed by real intelligence. These principles keep our writing aligned with our values and engaging for founders, hiring managers and candidates alike.
1.0 Lead with a hook
Start with a question, a provocation or a surprising statistic, e.g. “If you’re waiting to hire, you’re already behind.” Earn attention in the first line.
2.0 Plain English, always
Skip the LinkedIn-speak. Say “we find people who fit your team”, not “we leverage synergistic talent solutions”. Short sentences, active voice.
3.0 One handwritten word
In headlines, set one or two words in our handwritten script to add emphasis and personality, as in “intelligent hiring, impactful growth”. Never more than that.
4.0 End with a next step
Close with a clear, friendly call to action (“Hop on a call”, “Let’s get started!”, “Download our HR Scale-Up Playbook”) so the reader always knows what to do next.
