Managing job descriptions in multiple languages sounds easy until you’re in it. One edit in English and suddenly you’re juggling five different versions across five time zones.

That’s the pain global TA teams keep telling me about. Everyone wants job description software that works in multiple languages — inside the platform.

Why TA Teams Care About Job Description Translation

If you’re hiring across borders, you can’t wing it with a Google Translate button. Candidates notice. And they judge your brand accordingly. One of our international clients told us their old process involved sending JDs to marketing, waiting three weeks, and hoping nothing got lost in translation — literally.

The challenge? Managing consistent, inclusive, on-brand content that works globally. It’s not just about words. It’s about tone, clarity, and cultural context. A phrase that reads fine in English might be awkward — or even offensive — in another language.

3 Lessons From the Field

1. Centralize first, then localize. One client in Europe had hiring managers editing JDs in five different languages. They moved to a centralized English library in Ongig, made their edits there, then translated the final versions. Less chaos, more control.
2. Don’t assume tech will fix it all. A global brand told us they tested “auto-translate” features in another tool — and got burned. The translations looked good on screen, but candidates flagged errors. Candidate trust tanked.
3. Be intentional with what you translate. One North American TA leader told us they only translate the jobs where they’re actively sourcing globally. It’s a smart way to avoid spending time and money where it’s not needed.

So, Should Job Description Translation Be In-Platform?

Honestly? It depends on your workflow. If your JD process is a mess in one language, adding four more won’t help. Get your foundation solid first — clean content, consistent tone, one source of truth — then layer on translation.

That’s where we see teams win. They use Ongig to fix their JDs, then hand off clean, consistent English versions for professional translation. No guessing. No back-and-forth. No weird phrases that make your employer brand look like it was written by a robot.

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