Great Lakes Wire

In the competitive job market, employers must focus on crafting well-written job postings to attract qualified candidates. Dan Van Slambrook, a contributor for an SBAM-approved partner ASE, outlines several key areas to consider.

Firstly, first impressions are vital. Candidates form opinions about a company from the moment they read a job posting, highlighting the importance of avoiding spelling and grammatical errors, punctuation inconsistencies, or poor formatting.

Secondly, job postings and job descriptions should be treated differently. While the latter serve as internal documents detailing duties, requirements, and salary, postings should aim to engage candidates by using clear, persuasive language focused on career opportunities, company culture, and impact.

Van Slambrook likens job postings to marketing. They should attract attention, have an inviting format, and prompt candidates to act. Engaging language and readable content that reflects the company's culture and values are crucial. Dense text should be broken up with bullet points, subheadings, and white spaces to enhance readability, and a clear call to action should direct candidates on how to apply.

For clarity and accuracy, Van Slambrook highlights that postings should offer a clear understanding of the organization's operations, the role, qualifications, and the application process. They must also convey the company’s culture, mission, and values. According to Glassdoor, 77% of job seekers consider company culture before applying, emphasizing the importance of aligning job postings with the workplace environment.

Van Slambrook also recommends leveraging generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot to transform bland descriptions into engaging advertisements aligned with company culture. He underscores the importance of using available spelling and grammar checking software to avoid mistakes.

The article also addresses the classic debate of whether to include pay information in job postings. While transparency is advocated by some—given that research shows candidates are more likely to apply when pay is disclosed—Van Slambrook notes that transparency can lead to internal equity concerns.

Finally, he stresses the importance of compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, as this prevents legal issues and promotes fair hiring practices.