Tips for Writing a Great Job Ad
It’s challenging to find the perfect team members, but it all starts with an effective job advertisement.
The primary challenge that employers often face lies in attracting the right candidates. This could be due to the overall job market conditions, but how you write your job ad plays a crucial role too.
To begin, let’s explore the two key elements of your job ad!
Short Description
This is what job seekers see first when they’re browsing online. It’s essential to make a strong impression here.
Consider these aspects:
- Job Title: The title is the first point of attraction. Use clear, standard titles that are commonly understood in the industry.
- Salary: The pay rate is a major deciding factor for candidates considering a new job.
- Location: Mention where the job is based. For roles that allow remote work or require travel, select the most central location.
- Short Summary: Use concise and direct language. Mention the team size and a key skill that's important for the role.
- Additional Highlights: If possible, mention other attractive features of the job, such as flexible working hours, work-from-home options, or team-building activities.
Long Description
Crafting an effective job ad is key to drawing in the best talent.
Here are some steps to enhance your ad:
- About Us: Use this section to 'sell' your company. Talk about its achievements, size, and what makes it unique. Include details about the company culture and values.
- About the Job: This section should make strong candidates feel, "This is the job for me!" Use bullet points for clarity and start sentences with dynamic verbs like 'organize', 'lead', or 'develop'. Mention the team size and the job responsibilities.
- Skills and Experience: Outline the essential skills and experiences needed for success in the role. Avoid focusing solely on years of experience as it's not always the best indicator of suitability.
- Benefits: Beyond salary, mention other benefits or perks like professional development opportunities or unique company offerings.
- How to Apply: Provide clear instructions on the application process and what applicants can expect next. Include a contact for further inquiries.
Additional Tips
- Optimize for Mobile Viewing: Many job seekers use their phones, so ensure your ad is mobile-friendly.
- Include a Video: If available, add a video that showcases your company culture and values, making your ad stand out.
- Post in Multiple Locations: Where possible, post your job add across multiple locations to reach a wider audience. For example, on your local community job board, Indeed, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.
Overall, a well-crafted job ad not only attracts talented individuals but also showcases your company as an exciting place to work.
Here’s some additional resources on writing your job ads!
Business Development Canada is an online resource that provides support to both small, and medium-sized businesses, across Canada. They aim to support entrepreneurs with the development of their business. Their article on writing effective job ads highlights their top 5 “things to include” in a listing.
Canada Talents is a community-driven agency that focuses on inclusivity and diverse talents in the workplace. Their article touches on the importance of optimizing your ad with keywords, and how to write your ad geared towards potential candidates.
HAYS is a company that provides support to employees to help them reach their career goals, while simultaneously supporting employers and their businesses to reach their goals. Their article on writing the best job ads touches on key insights and data that is important to note, as well as details on the written description itself, use of language, and more!
Indeed is a job seeker’s website with job postings from across the world. Their article outlines the details of what should be included in an effective job posting, and provides concrete examples of how they could be written.
