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Creating the Job Posting
Importance of the Title
An informative title is more effective at drawing in potential candidates than a generic one. For example, instead of just stating the exact title of the job, such as "Developer," consider something more descriptive, such as "Senior Developer for high-growth company in New York City." Building more information into the title makes it stand out from others and can motivate viewers to read further.
Company Image and Description
Sell your company brand—your image, market position, values, and culture—to potential employees. A company's brand also includes its size and location, expertise within a particular industry or service area, and awards and recognition.
Job Description
The job description should include an overview of the position's responsibilities, as well as the job's requirements, such as skills and experience, education, or special certifications. State whether the position is full- or part-time, where it is located, and salary information. It is acceptable to use a phrase such as "salary commensurate with experience" instead of quoting actual figures.
Be aware that your job posting must comply with federal, state, and local nondiscrimination laws. For example, you cannot state that you want a person of a certain gender, age, or race. In addition, your advertisement should be realistic and honest. Do not make promises that you aren't going to keep, as it will reflect badly on you and your company, and could create contractual obligations.
For more information on developing a job description, please click here.
Application Instructions
Provide clear, precise directions on how to apply. Outline specific steps such as emailing a resume or submitting an application through your website's recruitment portal. Be explicit as to what the candidate should include, such as a resume, portfolio, or a completed application form.
An applicant's ability to follow instructions is your first screening tool; feel free to add a very specific instruction in your directions to test attention to detail. For instance, you could direct applicants to copy and paste into their application a line from the job posting, such as "Attention to detail is an important part of the job."
Be Sure to Proofread
Proofread your job posting several times for spelling and grammar errors as well as accuracy, and have at least one other person proofread it as well. Any errors will reflect poorly on your company and may result in fewer candidates applying.
Advertising the Job Opening
You will want to place your job posting where it will attract the highest number of qualified candidates. When planning your recruitment advertising, consider the following tips:
Identify your targeted candidates. If these are people with specialized skills, identify those skills—e.g., computer programming, video editing, or quantitative analysis.
Research the best places to advertise based on your targeted candidates. You'll probably want to consider major job posting sites that cover many professions, as well as specialized online posting sites that target specific industries. Other ideas to consider are local colleges and graduate schools that have their own job posting boards for students and alumni, as well as newspapers that can offer a combination of print and online advertising.
Consider posting the job opening on your company's intranet, or in a company-wide email. Opening up the search to your existing employee base can result in candidates who know the company and whose qualifications you are already familiar with.
Implementing a candidate referral program at your company can also yield good results.
Develop a timeline, allowing enough time to place the advertising, receive a response, and conduct interviewing.