As an employer, creating an effective job advert is a critical step in attracting qualified candidates who are the right fit for your practice, especially of you're using a paid job board. A well-written job advert can help you save time and resources by bringing in the right candidates and avoiding a flood of unqualified applicants. However, many employers make common mistakes in their job adverts that can hinder their recruitment efforts. In this blog post, we will discuss the top 5 job advert mistakes that employers should avoid to improve their chances of attracting top talent.
Ambiguous Job Titles: A job title is often the first thing a candidate sees in a job advert, and it plays a crucial role in capturing their attention. Just by clarifiying whether the role is suitable for a 'graduate' or an 'experienced' clinician, applicants will self select and you are way more likely to attract suitable applications.
Lengthy and Complicated Job Descriptions: A job advert and a job description are two different things. Be transparent about the expectations and requirements of the role, including the necessary qualifications, experience, and any specific skills or certifications that are necessary, but you don;t need to tell the applicants what they will be doing on a daily basis. This will help you attract candidates who are genuinely interested and qualified for the position, without creating an advert that is too lengthy or demanding
Lack of Clarity about Compensation and Benefits: Most vets and nurses are already in work, so are keen to know about the compensation and benefits associated with your job before they apply, to make sure that a move is worth their while. Failure to provide clear information about the salary, bonuses, benefits, and other perks in your job advert can result in losing out on qualified candidates who are looking for a competitive compensation package. Be transparent about the compensation and benefits associated with the role to attract candidates who align with your practice's expectations and budget.
Lack of Information about Practice Culture and Values: Candidates are not only interested in the job responsibilities and qualifications, but they also want to know about the practice culture and values. Neglecting to provide information about your culture and values in your job advert can result in losing out on candidates who prioritize a positive work environment and align with your values. Include a brief overview of your culture, values, and mission statement to give candidates a sense of what it's like to work with you and what you stand for as an employer.
Using Cliched language: Here are the top 5 cliches that are commonly used in job adverts:
"Dynamic and Fast-paced Environment": This phrase is often used to describe a workplace that is constantly changing and requires employees to work quickly and adapt to new situations. However, it has become overused and lacks specificity, as almost every organization claims to have a dynamic and fast-paced environment. Instead of using this cliche, provide concrete examples or descriptions of the specific challenges or projects that candidates can expect to work on.
"Excellent Communication Skills": This is a vague and generic phrase that appears in many job adverts. While effective communication skills are important in almost every role, using this cliche does not provide any insight into the specific communication requirements of the job. Instead, specify the type of communication skills needed, such as written, verbal, or presentation skills, and provide examples of how these skills are relevant to the role.
"Team Player": Another common cliche that is often used in job adverts is "team player." While teamwork is essential in many workplaces, this phrase has become cliched and lacks specificity. Instead of using this generic term, describe how teamwork is valued in your practice and provide examples of how the role collaborates with others or contributes to a team-oriented environment.
"Self-Starter" or "Proactive": These terms are often used to describe a candidate who is motivated, independent, and takes initiative. However, they have become overused and do not provide much insight into the specific expectations of the role. Instead, provide specific examples of the type of proactive behaviour or self-initiative that is required in the job, such as taking ownership of projects or identifying and solving problems proactively.
"Detail-oriented": This is another common cliche used in job adverts, particularly for roles that require attention to detail, such as administrative or quality control positions. However, it lacks specificity and does not provide any context on how attention to detail is relevant to the role. Instead, provide examples of the specific tasks or responsibilities that require attention to detail and how they contribute to the overall success of the job.
In conclusion, while it's important to effectively communicate the requirements and expectations of a job in a job advert, it's equally important to avoid using cliches that lack specificity and have become overused. Instead, provide concrete and relevant information about the role, its responsibilities, and expectations to attract qualified candidates who are genuinely interested in the position.