How to Write a Job Posting:

Let’s get right down to work here, with tips on creating a job advertisement that gets noticed on your LinkedIn wall -

1. Use a killer job title.

This is the most important part of your job posting when you’re posting to boards. When you write your title, include the name of the position and the top one to three things that will make the job attractive to an applicant.

2. Add an emotive introduction.

This is a single paragraph that gives three to five details applicants will find most exciting about the job. It is similar to the led that newspapers use to hook you into reading the full article.

3. Tell your company story.

Information about your company that applicants want to know. How many years you’ve been in business, how long employees stay (if this shows that people stick with you), interesting clients or projects, equipment that applicants will be excited about, awards, accolades, and work culture facts that will interest them.

4. Really sell the position.

Rather than the typical laundry list of bullet points, only include requirements that are essential to this job. Try to limit yourself to one to three things. Then provide information on work hours, pay, interesting coworkers, education opportunities, benefits or perks, and anything else applicants will find interesting.

5. Push your location.

Moving is an obstacle to anyone considering your job that doesn’t live in your region. If you want to attract people from other places, sell applicants on the location. Give them details about schools, activities, crime rates, things to do, etc. If your location is an easy commute from many key hiring areas then make sure to spell out the actual commute time. A candidate will always be keen on a role that can cut their commute by 30 minutes.

6. Repeat why they should apply.

This section is a quick bullet-pointed recap of the top five to six reasons someone should apply to your job. If you have a long job post this will make sure that your key points are front-of-mind when the candidate is hovering over the apply button.

7. Spell out the application process.

Detail everything from when they first apply to when they get hired. Candidates won't be left in the dark about "what happens next." This is especially important if you have a role that is a one interview hire. Candidates that are immediately available will jump on roles like this as they can get a job in days vs weeks.

8. Have other people read it.

Treat this job post writing exercise just as you would any other important piece of company marketing. Get multiple people to read it and provide you with honest feedback. Make sure you have fixed any errors before you post the job to hundreds of job boards.

9. Improve your email responses.

Look at all the emails that you send to candidates at each step of the hiring process. Pick them apart and ensure they are clear, personal, and continue to sell the candidate on the role at every step. A poor first response to a candidate application will undo all the good work you did in the job post getting them to apply.

Job Descriptions Are Not Job Posts:

Many people are confusing job postings with job descriptions. A job description should be a detailed if somewhat dry description of the responsibilities and expectations for a job that a company uses internally. A job posting is meant to sell applicants on your company, team, location, and all the things that make working for you great. That’s what you should be posting to job boards.