You’ve just received a massive job order from one of your best-standing clients. To make a good impression, you want to place a quality candidate as soon as possible. Now comes the most important part – how are you going to describe the role in your job post, so that top talent can’t resist applying for it?
Why It’s Critical to Get a Job Post Just Right
A job post is often the first impression a candidate has about an organization, so it’s imperative to be engaging. “You want to intrigue them, capture their interest and keep them from quickly passing over your job posting,” says Alissa Henriksen, Chief Recruiting Officer and Talent Search Strategist at Grey Collaborative in an article by Ziprecruiter.
The fact is that detailed and well-written job posts are more likely to gain the attention of quality candidates. Luckily, it’s not difficult to create one that will benefit you, as well as your applicants.
Below are a few tips you should consider trying for your next job post to attract candidates:
1. Give the Role a Clear and Specific Title
When candidates look for jobs online, they search for keywords that align with their skills and experience. Ensure the job you’re posting has a title that accurately represents what the role entails. For example, if you’re advertising a managerial position for the social media department, then your title should be as simple as “Social Media Manager”.
According to Indeed, using quirky titles like “social media guru” or “marketing maven” doesn’t resonate well with candidates. While these titles might hint that your work culture is relaxed and casual, job seekers get confused by them and are less likely to apply. Stick to specific titles so candidates feel more inclined to click on your post to learn more about the role.
2. Outline the Main Responsibilities of the Role
Paint a concise picture of how the job’s day-to-day will play out, but put the more interesting aspects of the role towards the top of the list. Linkedin published a study which showed that people are interested in understanding their main duties, and what will be expected of them in a typical day. Make sure to be clear about the role expectations so that candidates can identify whether their interests and skills align with what you’ve written.
3. State the Goals and Measurements of Success
Candidates want to understand what success looks like at your organization. For example, if your company expects the new hire to increase revenue by 5% at the end of their first year, that information should be included in the job post.
The same study from Linkedin showed that candidates appreciate seeing explicit performance goals in job descriptions. Few employers share these details in their posts. However, by adding this information, recruiters and hiring managers stand out from the crowd and improve their job posts significantly.
4. Be Transparent about the Salary and Benefits
You’ve written what you’d like to see from the candidate—now you have to let them know what’s in it for them. Out of the 450 people who participated in the Linkedin study, compensation was voted as the most important detail in a job description. Job seekers consider tons of job postings on a daily basis, so they need to know if it’s worth their time to pursue an opportunity.
If providing a specific salary isn’t an option, disclose a salary range that could be negotiable based on the candidate’s experience. Share some of the work perks and benefits that are offered as well. Perks like flexible work arrangements can be the tipping point for candidates thinking about applying.
Always Keep Candidates in Mind First
When writing job descriptions, ensure that details about the role take center stage. While it doesn’t hurt to add some details about the company and its culture, interested candidates will conduct their own research anyways after reading a compelling job ad. The details they’re most interested in seeing in job postings include:
- Exactly what’s expected of them
- What success looks like in the role
- What’s in it for them
By following these simple suggestions, you’ll be writing expert job postings that contain the valuable information candidates look for.