Here are a few tips for companies hoping to attract top-notch talent to their business.
Anyone keen to change their job, or seek promotion, knows how difficult this can be. It’s particularly tough for first-time job seekers or those currently out of work and searching for a route back into employment. Nowadays, there can be hundreds of applications for a single job, with employers having the difficult task of sifting through each and every CV, while drawing up a shortlist of interviewees.
If an application fails to immediately catch the eye of an employer, or an agency tasked with compiling a list of potential job candidates, it can very quickly be disregarded. Yet it’s just as competitive for companies hoping to hire the best candidates. The job market is a minefield for both hiring managers and job applicants.
Research has shown that job seekers will decide whether to read on or click onto another page in just 14 seconds. That’s not long at all. A rule of thumb is ‘less = more’. Keeping job posts short and to the point works better than those which supply too much information.
We encourage use of bullet points and bolded text to make your job description easy to digest. Shorter posts receive around 8% more applications than average-length ones, we recommend less than 300 words. Focus on skills, qualifications, day-to-day responsibilities, company benefits, and salary. But remember, not all job seekers are only interested in financial rewards.
Candidates require an accurate picture of their daily experiences, and what level of skill and knowledge the company expects from them. Word choice is critically important, as gender biased word selection can deter female applicants from applying. We recommend using gender neutral job titles and pronouns to encourage a diverse pool of applicants.
If your company offers flexible working hours, it’s important to state this upfront. Nowadays, many applicants will consider flexible hours and/or remote working as a necessity instead of a perk.
Time your post well to attract the right candidates. Try to publicise your positions early on in the week, i.e. Monday is perfect, and avoid advertising new jobs later than Wednesday. Most applicants make their move early in the week. Don’t wait until 5.30pm on Friday, when many potential job seekers have already organised their activities for the weekend and perhaps switched off mentally.
Finally, the world of accessing job adverts has changed considerably over the past few decades. It used to be via newspapers, desktops and laptops, however now mobile phones are the first port of call for checking out job vacancies. So make sure your adverts are mobile friendly.
If you need help to create an effective job posting for your company, then don’t hesitate to contact LinkedIn. We have more than 130 templates to choose from, regardless of whether you possess a corporate-sized budget or that of an SME. This feature was brought to you courtesy of LinkedIn.
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