How to Write a (Better!) Job Posting
It’s an employer’s market. You have all the positions, the payroll, and the power - so why aren’t you getting the qualified applicants you expect?
If you’re receiving a glut of unqualified responses, it may be time to take a closer look at how you’ve written your job posting. Here are some handy tips to help you get it right.
- Don't reinvent the wheel. If the position itself is reasonably self-explanatory, don't detail every teeny-tiny aspect of the position. An admin assistant, for example, should know how to use basic office equipment - so listing previous use of a phone, fax, copy machine, desktop computer, etc. is utterly redundant (and makes you sound like a tedious micro-manager). Don't do it.
- Include a salary range. Though some employers think that listing the salary range as "DOE" or "commensurate with experience" will save them money in negotiation - they're wrong. The truth is that a failure to list a salary range will cause the most qualified applicants to pass. And the phrase "Company X offers a competitive salary and compensation package" is a no-no. Be transparent about your budget, and let prospectives know what you're willing to pay. It saves everyone time, and time is money.
- Describe your environment. Today's employment environment is changing - and today's prospective employees are often seeking a specific experience. Share a bit about your company culture. Even a simple expression (such as "this is a casual, friendly environment" or "our clients value our conservative approach") may land some insight as to whether they'll be a good fit.
- Check out your competitor's ads. What are they hashing out that you're not? What makes you the better employer? Address and expand on those details, and you’re more likely to gather the attention of applicants who align well with your organization-specific offerings and requirements - not just the industry standard.
- Describe the job in terms of value, not tasks. Place an emphasis on the impact the performance of this role holds as part of the greater whole - and less on the individual tasks performed. Prospective employees who value teamwork and collaborative thinking will find your organization more attractive, and you’ll promote a comprehensive, big-picture perspective of your organizational mission and goals from the get-go.
- Limit the description of your position to one page. Imagine your annoyance at receiving a multi-page resume. That's exactly how your multi-page job posting feels to applicants. Please - save the novella of duties for the first day of staff training. Keep your posting relevant, clear, and concise.
Still feeling flummoxed by the task of defining your open roles, and crafting truly relevant job postings? You can always click here, and hire a real professional. ;)