Following up on my recent attendance at Job Boards Connect, one of the main trends was moving towards Quality rather than Quantity through better job adverts and applications. Most recruiters and employers prefer a few good CVs over many mediocre ones.
I have compiled a concise guide to help you improve your job adverts and posting etiquette. Invest time here, and it will pay rewards. If you write a great advert and include the right information, you are more likely to achieve high-quality applications.
The Advert Itself
Cutting and pasting the job description is easy, but this does not read very well as an attractive advert. The JD and the advert are different things. Think about it from the job seeker’s point of view.
Job seekers will consider four fundamental points: Job Title, Location, Salary, and Working Hours.
- Keep the Job Title short and simple. Titles under 20 characters do best.
Use a regular title, HR Manager, rather than Chief People Happiness Officer. Your client may be a cool company with wacky titles, but Job seekers search for simple titles.
- The Location is fundamental. Make the best use of The JobsBoard’s flexibility.
Town/ city is a free text box with scope for something like South London.
The Location is not visible in the advert but is vital when jobseekers are searching. For Best results, use a full postcode CT5 2AB. This doesn’t have to be the employer’s exact address; you can use something like the local library or nearby branch of Costa, but a full postcode will appear higher in searches.
- Including the salary will significantly increase your applications. Some estimates suggest +50%.
In many US states and an increasing number of European countries, including a salary is a legal requirement. Using “Competitive” or “Negotiable” will not do justice to your advert. Would you apply for a job where you didn’t know the salary?
- Working hours have moved away from the classic Mon – Fri 9-5, and there are wide variations. So, include the start and finish times and whether flexibility or hybrid working is available.
Spell check and Review.
Run a spellcheck, or use Grammarly to ensure you look your best.
It is also a good idea to review your job advert on desktop and mobile and make changes if necessary.
Summary of Success in Job Adverts
- Write an eye-catching advert
- Use a short, simple job title
- Use a full postcode
- Include the salary
- Clarify the working hours
Written by Tony Line, Director of Kent Recruitment and The JobsBoard
