Recruiting the right talent starts with writing the right advert. A good job advert is often the difference between cultivating the company of your dreams and getting next to no applicants for vacant roles waiting to be filled. If you’re stuck on how to write a job advert, you’ve come to the right place – here’s how to attract the talent you’ve been looking for.
Importance of Job Title
First and foremost, getting the right job title nailed down is crucial. This is the first thing your applicants are going to see – this is what’s going to make them click, or not click. You want something that’s clear, concise, and to the point, with no room for confusion so you attract the right talent and get the people you want to the interview stage.
Key Elements to Include
Job Description
The most important section of all: the job description. Be transparent and upfront – don’t be afraid to include all facets of day-to-day tasks, as well as longer-time duties. Including everything that’s expected of the perfect candidate won’t only help to avoid miscommunications down the line, but it will also attract the right people to the next stages of the interview process, especially if it’s a more challenging role, as you want people who are going to be up to the task.
Job Requirements
This is a broad field and could include anything, from essential qualifications to level of experience within a certain field – anything that is an absolute must in order to work within this role. Try to find the balance between being upfront with what you want, and remaining open and flexible – different candidates will bring different qualities and skill sets, and you don’t want to miss out on a potentially perfect applicant simply because they have a bit less experience than what you’d ideally like.
Company Culture
This is your chance to let your company shine – take the time to explore what it is about your unique company culture that makes for such an appealing, attractive place to work. Add some personality to your advert by including your values and interests as an organisation. You want your advert to attract the right talent, but you also want your workforce to consist of people who align with you, your business, and most of all, with each other. Including key elements of your company culture is a great way to get the right people coming through your door.
Benefits
Beyond what makes your company culture so great, there are the finer details of company benefits to consider. This is going to be a key area of the job advert that applicants will be quick to jump to, so don’t miss out on anything here – make sure to include everything that might help attract more people to the role, whether that’s flexible working options, holiday allowances, or out of office benefits such as gym memberships or wellness programs.
Salary
A lot of people will be put off adverts that don’t at least include a salary bracket within the job description. Salary is often a dealbreaker, so make sure you have this mapped out and nailed down before you post anything.
What Not to Write
Here are some basics to avoid when writing your job advert:
Unrealistic Expectations
It’s important to remain honest and transparent when writing your advert, avoiding any exaggerated job responsibilities or qualifications required. A classic here is advertising for a graduate role with a graduate salary, but requiring at least a few years’ experience in order to apply. Be realistic about your expectations, and you’ll attract candidates who are genuinely interested and qualified.
Unprofessional Formatting or Grammar
Make sure to go through your advert thoroughly before posting, checking and re-checking for errors or slip-ups you may have included without noticing. A poorly written ad will come off as sloppy, reflecting badly on the company and potentially deterring people from applying.
Using Excessive Industry Jargon
Some industry-specific terms might be necessary, but it’s a good idea to avoid using an excess of jargon or acronyms as this could confuse potential applicants and make them less drawn to the role.
Optimising for Online
With the internet at your disposal, anything is possible. You have the opportunity to reach a diverse talent pool that spans a range of locations, cultures, and qualifications – you just have to know how to leverage your advert to optimise it online.
Make sure to use relevant keywords in your job description and title that candidates are likely to search for when looking for jobs. This will boost your advert’s chances of appearing in search results on job boards and search engines, giving you greater reach and opening up your job opportunity to an infinitely greater number of people.
It’s also a good idea to include a mobile-friendly format, as many people will be searching for job opportunities on their phone or tablet. Ensure your advert is formatted to be easily readable on mobile devices, and consider posting your ad to platforms and apps such as Indeed and LinkedIn.
How We Can Help
If you’re a manager or business owner wanting to attract the right candidates to your office door, we’re here to help. At The HR Dept, we offer professional recruitment services that support businesses in writing effective job adverts and attracting the best candidates to their company, with an experienced team offering a wealth of expertise in crafting tailored job descriptions alongside providing comprehensive recruitment support packages. Get in touch today to hear more about how we can help you find the team of your dreams.
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