Get the Most from Job Postings

Posted on by ASCENT: Administrator Support Community for ENT

When you are recruiting a new hire, don’t you love sorting through dozens, if not hundreds, of resumes belonging to under-qualified individuals who may or may not understand the position they are applying for? Of course, you don’t. The best way to avoid this hassle is to create a concise, clear job description that outlines specific duties and requirements for the candidate. Here are some tips to get you started:

  • Format. Utilize effective formatting: 1) Overview of position, 2) Job duties, 3) Requirements, 4) Company mission and 5) Call to action. Be sure to paint a picture of both the position and the company culture.
  • Be clear in your requirements. When job searching, people will generally apply for positions that are just out of range of their qualifications. This is why you want to prioritize the must-havesin your ideal candidate.
  • Use laymen’s terms, and don’t abbreviate. The exception to this is common industry terminology, but don’t use company-specific terms that those on the outside won’t know. In addition, search engines are much more likely to recognize common phrases than uncommon abbreviations.
  • Keep it professional. Some companies will try to spruce up their ad by using fun symbols, all-caps and catchy phrasing. Unfortunately, this can come off as a sketchy used car sales pitch to many professionals, keeping them from applying.
  • Utilize search engines. When drafting your job description, put yourself in a job-seeker’s shoes and try to think of phrases they would Google to find the job. Include these in the job posting. In addition, you can use online job finding sites such as CareerBuilder.com, which targets candidates with relevant job postings.
  • Tell them how to apply. Almost all job applications are done online, saving time and money. This can be done via email or via a job hosing site. Sites like Indeed, Monster and LinkedIn all allow the applicant to both view the job posting and apply all on one page. Be sure to include specific instructions for what you’d like included in their application (resume, CV, references, etc.).

Do you have tips for creating a job posting? Share in the comments below.