Attracting the best candidates to open vacancies means posting job adverts that are appealing and persuasive. The most talented candidates know that their skills are in high demand, and they enjoy their pick of the roles available. Making your job adverts stand out is the first step to increasing the quality of your workforce and maximising your company's performance.
Let's explore how to make your job post stand out from the rest by making it accessible and attractive to a wide pool of talented candidates.
Why do job ads matter?
Job adverts are vital to your recruiting process. They act as your first point of contact with applicants, and they're your biggest chance to convince talented applicants to apply for your organisation. Everything from the sites you choose to post job ads on to the language you use in your adverts affects the success of your recruitment drive. Understanding that job ads matter and knowing how to make your job post stand out from the crowd can help to attract the best candidates for every vacancy you need to fill. It's also key to providing a positive candidate experience.
How to make your job post stand out
When you're crafting the perfect job advert, use positive language to grab the attention of potential candidates. Remember that the purpose of your job advert is not just to inform but to sell both the organisation and the vacancy you're offering to high-quality candidates. Here’s how to make your job post stand out:
1. Use a strong headline
The headline of your job ad is the first thing candidates see when they're scrolling through job listings, so it's important that your headline is capable of grabbing a candidate's attention. Make sure that the title of the position you advertise is accurate but appealing, and use a sub-head to clarify the role in more detail if you need to. If the organisation has a USP - such as operating globally or being known for inclusivity and progressive values - you could indicate this in your headline.
2. Highlight company perks
Company perks are one of the biggest differentiators between employers. Candidates who are weighing up vacancies against similar posts will likely favour positions that offer the best perks and compensation. List the perks that your company offers to its employees, including flexible working hours, pensions, gym memberships, and other popular benefits.
3. Make every word count
Busy, talented candidates don't want to spend hours browsing job ads for organisations they may have no interest in working for. Make your job adverts more readable and impactful by keeping them concise but insightful. Don't use the job description as your job advert, because this might put many candidates off; craft something punchy and link to the job description in the ad instead.
4. Cut down on the jargon
Cut down on the industry jargon that you use in your job ads to ensure that your ad carries mass appeal. Reducing the amount of jargon in your ad makes it more accessible to candidates from different cultures and backgrounds, and sells the organisation as a straight-talking, no-nonsense employer.
5. Include a salary range
Many companies choose to omit salary information from job adverts, usually so that they can tailor the salary they offer to the candidate they end up hiring. However, job adverts that lack a salary range are off-putting to candidates who don't want to waste their time applying for roles that may not offer a suitable salary. Include a salary range for each position or advertising salaries 'up to' the maximum of your range as this could help you to attract applicants of a higher standard.
6. Make your job ad accessible
Making sure that the job adverts that you post online are accessible to a diverse range of applicants widens your search to a bigger talent pool. Accessibility means writing job ads that are short, impactful, and easy to read, and using text and images that are easy to parse even for people with partial sight. Make sure that your careers pages - and the job board networks that you post on - are accessible on a wide range of devices including desktop and mobile to include candidates who apply for jobs on their smartphones or tablets.
7. Only ask for qualifications you really need
Consider the content of your job posts carefully before you write them. If you list minimum requirements, which are a useful way to narrow down your search and filter out unqualified applicants, make sure they're actually needed for the role. Otherwise, you could risk attracting overqualified candidates who are more likely to get bored and move on while you miss out on candidates who are a better fit for the vacancy.
8. Add some personality
Add some personality to job adverts to make sure that your job post stands out from similar listings. Attractive employers don't just offer candidates a good salary and an appealing benefits package; they also offer a positive working environment and a supportive office culture. Add some personality to your job posts to give candidates an insight into the workplace culture and what they can expect if they join the organisation. Use a conversational tone in your ads and don't be afraid to include a joke or two to show off your sense of humour.
Chat with us
Do you need help ensuring that your job ads attract the talent you're looking for? Chat with us at Idibu to find out how we can help you to create eye-catching job adverts that appeal to candidates with a diverse range of backgrounds and abilities.
