The Right Way To Write A Job Posting

A job opening is a job opening, right? That depends on what your job posting says.  A poorly written one can result in all the wrong responses, or worse yet, none!

Before you actually sit down to write your job posting, take the time to think through all the details of the position. Consider hours, pay, responsibilities and so on.  Be as clear as possible.  It will save you time in the long run and whoever does the interviewing will thank you for it!

When writing your ad or posting, it's a good idea to have a job title – it's the first thing that will attract a potential applicant's attention.

Next, list the major duties and responsibilities. It's best to be up front about the position. If you have an opening for an Administrative Assistant and the job involves typing 95 percent of the time, then mention it. You'll instantly weed out those who are turned off by typing, while attracting those who absolutely love it!

Also mention the amount of experience you'd like your ideal candidate to have. If you don't mention this in your posting, you run the risk of being flooded with resumes from people who aren't even remotely qualified. Again, be as specific as possible. If you're seeking someone with computer experience, list the exact programs he or she will be working on.

Next, briefly describe your company in a few words or a short sentence. Is your company a start-up or an established business? Is it a fast-paced or casual environment? Give the applicant a hint as to what the corporate culture is like.

As for the sticky issue of salary range, that's up to you! On one hand, you limit room to negotiate with your ideal candidate, however, by being up front about the salary range, you'll attract serious candidates. One possible way around this issue is to ask the applicant for their salary requirements.

At the close of your ad or posting, you'll want the potential applicant to take action. Determine how you would like to receive resumes. Give them options. It's nice to receive resumes via e-mail or fax, however, some applicants don't have access to a computer or fax machine. Also, decide if you want to include your phone number. Perhaps you'll want to consider including your phone number for sales or receptionist positions. (You'll want to see if they have a pleasant phone voice.)

 If your posting follows the guidelines above, be prepared for a flood of calls along with a ton of resumes from qualified candidates!

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