As I find myself contemplating a new blog entry that focuses on job postings, I realize that I have been doing this way too long. Yikes! Gone are the days when the pressure was on every Thursday afternoon to submit your final print copy to an ad agency by 5pm sharp for Sunday’s job section. By Monday morning, you were sure to have a slew of faxed responses stacked on your desk to weed through (at least that’s what we hoped for!) You had to be selective – extremely selective – with your choice of words in these employment listings (aka job postings in the internet age) because ad space, resources and budget were typically limited. How could you make this job stand out from all of the others to peak one’s interest? There is no doubt that times have changed – technology, delivery, speed, style etc., – but the elements of a well-written job posting, in my opinion, have not.
With the recent launch of ChumBonus, I thought it might be useful to share some tips with our new clients to promote good job posting techniques. After all, our business model is success-based, so why not start off on the right foot to get your jobs noticed and gain traction within the crowd? One thing to keep in mind is that today’s chums want instant feedback – or close to it – and they also won’t spend very much time reading lengthy postings. Considering this, here’s what we recommend:
- Begin with a good job title. Many times this is what initially gains a viewer’s interest. List what you are looking for and include the most important MUST HAVE skill(s). Ex: Sr. Project Manager w/ PMP Certification & SDLC
- Clearly list items that may disqualify a candidate. We recommend mentioning this early on in your posting as you don’t want to waste anyone’s time. Here are some examples: Local talent only; active Secret Clearance required; we are not providing H1B Sponsorship at this time etc.
- Always include a salary range. The majority of folks who view your job posting will opt out if the salary information is not clearly listed, or if you simply write ‘negotiable depending on experience’. People want to know what their earning potential is and including this data will save everyone time. If the salary range is on the low side, focus on other perks that make this job exciting (performance bonus, stock options, leading edge technology, virtual office, great location etc.)
- Be direct and to the point. Include the most important skills and job requirements needed. If it is a must have skill, then list it as such and state ‘no exceptions’. You can elaborate on the specific details during the next stage of the interview process.
- Don’t be boring. Choose an inviting format to present the position. The last thing you want is for a potential hire to get turned off because they open your posting only to find a job description that looks like a term paper, in a never-ending paragraph format. They won’t even last through the first sentence! We recommend using a bullet format to summarize items such as job responsibilities, job requirements, technical skills etc.
- Avoid template job descriptions. If you are required to use one, we recommend sharing this longer, detailed job description with the candidate after he/she is identified. Try to be as creative as possible to make your job stand out.
We hope you find these tips helpful. Please feel free to share your comments, experience, suggestions and/or feedback with us. We’d love to help you get noticed. 
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