Surveys show that over 70 percent of people who are already working are considering a new job.
But the fact that they’re already working means they don’t have as much time to dedicate to the search. Most of those people will turn to the internet.
Let’s look at how to craft great job advertisements that will get their attention.
Elements of Good Job Advertisements
A good posting needs to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into the job announcement. If the job sounds boring, they may not read past the first sentence or two.
Attention-Grabbing Title
Start with a strong title to grab the reader’s attention. Think of this as a headline more than a job title – make it sizzle.
Strong Introduction
Once the headline grabs their attention, the introduction needs to hold onto it. You can still lose readers quickly if the introduction doesn’t offer a pay-off for the promise of the headline.
Sell Your Company
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking job seekers need you more than you need them. That isn’t the case though – there are plenty of jobs for them to choose from, especially if they have highly-specialized skills.
Sell the reader on why your company is the best one they can work for. Do the same for the position you’re filling – what makes it such a great job?
Sell your company’s location too. Is there great local nightlife? Is your town a food lover’s paradise? Are there lots of outdoor activities in the area?
Share the most powerful reasons someone would want to come work for you.
Make the Application Process Clear
Once you convince the prospect that this is the right job for them, don’t put up roadblocks in the application process. Make it as easy as possible for them to apply and spell out all the steps clearly when you post a job.
And make sure you use a solid applicant tracking system to track the applications. You don’t want to have any slip through the cracks.
Job Postings vs. Job Descriptions
Keep in mind that this is a job posting, not a job description.
A job description explains what the job is all about in detail – the tasks it entails, the knowledge required, and various other expectations. A job posting doesn’t need to have all those details, just enough that people understand what it’s about.
You can always send them the job description if they want more information but don’t lead with it or you’re liable to overwhelm them with boring details.
Decide Where You’ll Post the Job
Once you have the job posting ready, it’s time to publish it on one or more online job boards. There are lots of options here, from small local boards to wide-open websites like Craigslist.
Some of the most effective places to post your job include:
- Indeed
- ZipRecruiter
- Monster
- Craigslist
And remember, you can post a job on more than one site for more exposure.
It’s a “Buyer’s” Market
When you’re preparing job advertisements, remember it’s a “buyer’s market.” It’s much harder for you to find the right applicant than for them to find job opportunities. Make sure they feel important and valued from square one.
Be sure to check out the rest of our site for more helpful tips and tricks about all kinds of subjects.
