Posting a job opening is a crucial step in the hiring process. A well-written job post helps attract qualified candidates that are a good fit for the role and organization. Here are some best practices to create an effective job posting.
Be Clear About the Job Title and Description
The job title should accurately reflect the role. Generic titles like “Account Manager” or “Sales Representative” are vague. Include key responsibilities in the description so applicants understand the day-to-day duties.
For example, instead of “Sales Representative,” use a title like “Direct-Response Sales Representative for Online Education Company.” In the description, note key tasks like making outbound cold calls, managing lead pipelines in CRM software, collaborating with marketing on lead generation campaigns, and conducting product demonstrations via screen sharing.
An accurate, specific job title and description help attract candidates with the right background and qualifications.
Highlight Must-Have and Nice-to-Have Qualifications
List required hard skills, years of experience, education, certifications, and technical expertise needed for success in the role. These are the must-have qualifications.
Soft skills like communication, work ethic, and critical thinking can also be required if essential. Quantify soft skills whenever possible. For example, “5+ years’ experience providing empathetic customer service in a fast-paced call center.”
Separately, calling out nice-to-have qualifications helps determine the best candidates among those technically qualified for the job. These can include knowledge of specific systems and tools, industry-specific experience, and specialized training or education.
Ranking and organizing qualifications helps job seekers assess if they’re a potential match before applying. This improves application quality.
Explain What Makes the Role and Company Unique
Providing an inside look at the company culture, values, and mission helps attract candidates that align with the organization. Describe what makes the role itself interesting and fulfilling.
For example, highlight if it’s a new position that allows shaping a growing department. Or emphasize opportunities for mentorship, leadership development, and continuing education.
Giving a behind-the-scenes look gets the right candidates excited to apply. Those who won’t appreciate the specific role and company culture are more likely to self-select out of applying.
List Salary Information and Benefits
Research shows including salary range in a job post increases application rates. Transparency attracts candidates that find the pay fair and aligned with their expectations.
Sharing details about benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and flexible paid time off also helps inform interested candidates. Listing both salary and benefits shows the company invests in talent.
Exact salary can be listed for set roles. For jobs with flexible pay, provide a salary range. If compensation is negotiable, state the approximate range or minimum salary.
Explain the Application Process
Surprises frustrate candidates during the job search. Reduce frustration by setting expectations about the application and hiring processes.
List the required application documents like a resume and cover letter. Share what the initial application screening and interview stages entail and their timelines. Briefly explain the overall selection process and when final hiring decisions occur.
Transparency enables applicants to prepare and participate in the hiring process with confidence.
Highlight Company Culture and Values
Today’s workers, especially younger ones, crave purpose, growth, and fulfillment from their jobs. Showcasing company culture attracts talent seeking the right environment to thrive.
Share photos and videos that provide an inside look at the office environment and worker interaction. Describe community initiatives and social causes the company supports. Feature employee testimonials about why they love their jobs.
Highlighting values and culture attracts candidates with shared priorities. This aids retention after hiring too.
Use Strategic Keywords
Optimizing for keywords related to the role increases visibility when candidates search online job boards. Relevant keywords naturally appear in the job title, description, and qualifications.
Additionally, include keywords in a separate applicant tracking system (ATS) fields designated for optimization. Repeat important keywords like required technical skills and credentials 2-3 times maximum to avoid overuse.
An SEO-optimized job post appears higher in candidate searches. This expands reach to active and passive job seekers.
Post to Multiple Job Boards and Your Careers Page
Post the opening on high-traffic national job boards like Indeed, Monster, CareerBuilder, and LinkedIn. Target local candidates by posting on your state or city’s top regional job board.
Also post the opening on your company’s careers page. This is commonly the first place candidates look for openings. Plus it’s free to post jobs to your own site.
Casting a wide net across multiple free and paid job sites maximizes visibility and applications.
Make Applying Quick and Easy
Simplify the application process instead of requiring hoop-jumping. Allow applying via LinkedIn, Indeed, or your ATS with just clicks and a resume upload.
Long applications deter quality candidates. Avoid requiring complex cover letters, questionnaires, presentations, sample work products, and other drawn-out steps initially.
Easy quick apply attracts candidates. Vet them later through screening interviews and assessments.
Promote the Posting on Social Media
Share the job post link prominently on your company and recruiters’ social media accounts. Encourage employees to share the link with their networks too.
Social referral traffic attracts quality applicants. Promoting openings on social demonstrates your employer brand to passive candidates too.
Amplify reach by paying to boost social posts with the job link. Target ads contextually to users in roles similar to the opening.
Refresh and Repost Frequently
Job posts get stale quickly on sites like Indeed and Monster. Reposting regularly pushes the listing back to the top of search results.
It also shows candidates the role is still open and actively hiring. Stale posts give the impression openings are filled or fake.
Develop a schedule for refreshing your job posts across platforms. Review and edit details before reposting too.
Conclusion
Crafting an accurate, compelling job post is crucial for attracting qualified applicants. Follow these best practices to maximize applications from great candidates.
Be specific on titles, descriptions and requirements. Showcase company culture and employer brand. Use strategic keywords and post on multiple platforms. Make applying fast and simple. Promote openings on social media. Refresh and repost frequently.
Taking time to create well-optimized job posts improves recruiting results and candidate experience. Pair an excellent job post with structured application reviews, interviews, and assessments to make the most of applicant volume and quality.