Writing a job
ad to appear in print media and an ad to appear on an Internet job board are quite
different propositions. Yet all too often, consultants cut and paste their print
ads to appear online and then complain about the high number of low quality responses
they receive online.
Here are three tips to help consultants improve the quality of online ad
response:
1. Include a salary in the job title or teaser.
According to US-based site Headhunter.net, job postings on their site that
include salary information receive 42% more views and 41% more applications than
those without (or those advertising the salary as "negotiable"). Why
hide the salary in the body of the job copy when this information does not appear
in the search results screen of sites such as Seek.com.au? Clearly state the salary
in the job title or teaser and increase the number of candidates clicking thru
to view the full details of your job.
2. Don't abbreviate.
Why abbreviate within an Internet ad when you are not charged according to
the length of the ad you create? There are also times when using abbreviations
ensures that your job will not appear in a candidate's search results. For example,
if a candidate types "Management" and you have abbreviated this in your
advert to "Mgmt", your ad may not appear in their search results.
3.
Make good use of the teaser.
Teasers are short descriptions at the beginning
of your ad that spark the candidate's interest and curiosity. They are also essential
to master because most job boards list search results in a "summary format"
- that is, with only your job title and a teaser showing. Too many candidates
start their online ads with something to the effect of: "This company has
a turnover of $250 million and considers itself a leader in its field". Who
cares? Why not try and entice candidates to click thru to your full ad. For example:
"Grab the smelling salts! This $60K Assistant Accounting opportunity will
knock you out! Click here to find out why
"