Job Posting Tips for Employers - How to Craft Online Job Postings

There is a common thread running through all bad online job ads - they are uninspiring and don't sell the firm/company or the perks of the job. Here are some do's and don'ts to crafting job postings that will interest the right candidates while discouraging unqualified applicants.

Don't use your firm's official job description as your online job ad.

A long, boring description of job duties and requirements is not going to entice applicants. Instead of a long list of requirements, mention only those that are non-negotiable and state that applicants must meet these requirements in order to be considered.

Sell your firm or company!

You are doing yourself a disservice if you don't mention the perks of working for your firm in your job posting. Give job seekers a short description of who you are and what you do. Tell them why they should want to work for your firm, whether it's growth opportunity, exceptional benefits, flexible schedules, great work environment, or an emphasis on employee appreciation. If you don't have any selling points, make it your mission to implement strategies to attract the strongest candidates.

Incorporate keywords into your job posting.

Ensure your job is seen by incorporating keywords relating to the job in your posting. For instance, an attorney position could be searched with the keywords "associate, counsel, lawyer, litigation, or litigator." By adding these keywords to the end of your posting and incorporating them into your job ad, you will have a greater chance of being seen by the right candidates.

Give applicants a direction to follow.

A quick way of weeding out unqualified candidates is to give a task to be completed along with their application. You can do this by specifying that applicants give a one paragraph explanation of how their experience qualifies them for the position. This should lessen the number of uninterested or unqualified candidates who respond, while giving you an idea of how well an applicant follows directions.

You'll find that a little extra effort upfront will pay off with a more qualified response to your job postings. Put yourself in the candidate's shoes and consider what would appeal to you in a job posting. Be clear about what qualifications are absolutely necessary. Weed out the unqualified by challenging applicants to think before they send you their resume. Happy job posting!

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