Many recruiters are well-versed in developing job adverts to go onto their favourite selection of jobs boards. Some publish excellent adverts, and in so doing, manage to attract both quality and quantity so they have a great pool of candidates to consider. It is definitely a skill that is developed through practice and getting to the point where your adverts are as successful as this can take some time.
Some recruiters still have a way to go in refining their job adverts, so we thought a few simple tips might help:
- Make sure you use a job title that can be easily understood. Candidates use common job titles to begin their online search, so even if there is some unique aspect to the job you are advertising, try and separate the two, for example - HR Manager - Transformation, instead of Transformation Manager. It is important to think about this from the end-user perspective and tailoring your job title to what they are most likely to search for.
- Include a good clear paragraph about the company - who you are, what you do, where you are based, the values you hold and the markets you operate in, as well as the reputation you have. Make this as memorable as possible and as honest as possible as well. Any company claiming a reputation that they don’t have will quickly be shot down, it is still the internet after all and there is always scrutiny out there.
- Explain the main purpose of the job (in more than just one line), including what you expect candidates to deliver when they are performing in the role. Cover who their main contacts will be, explain what they'll be involved in on a day to day basis, and outline the structure within which they'll be working. This helps potential applicants to visualise themselves in the role and to figure out whether this is something that they can see themselves doing for the next few years.
- Describe who you are looking for - outline the experience you want your candidates to have as well as any qualifications that would be beneficial, and then set out the personal qualities they should possess in order to become a valued member of your team.
- It's always helpful to set out the salary or range for the job, so that candidates can consider whether a move is worth their while. If you want to leave it open, then include mention of the fact that the salary is negotiable and will depend on skills and past experience.
- And finally, set out what the application process is. It might be they can just submit a CV through the jobs boards you are advertising on, or they might have to fill out an online application form, but either way make sure it's clear to them. Always make sure that the next steps are as clear as possible. This is something that all good websites have learned and it is a large part of why Amazon is such a powerhouse in the retail sector. Nobody ever wonders how to take the next step and buy something on their site.
