What to Include in a Job Posting

Previous Recruiting Daily Advisor articles have discussed the difference between job descriptions and job postings, and provided tips for writing job posts that get attention. But what should you include in a job posting? What are the most important elements of an ad?

Before you attempt to hone the language or include media, website links, and other features, make sure you have the basics covered.

Job Ad 101

Here are items you don’t want to forget.

• Job title. In lieu of a title, companies will sometimes say things like, “We’re looking to add another member to our team.” This kind of statement serves little purpose, even when followed by a list of job tasks. A title, on the other hand, immediately provides insight into what the job entails, presuming it’s a functional title. For this reason, you want to always use functional titles in job ads.
• Overview of the job. Note the word “overview.” You want to highlight the most important aspects of the job, including primary tasks and key responsibilities. The objective is to let the person know what he or she will be doing in broad terms. Details can be discussed later.
• Information about the company. Your company name is not enough, unless it’s a household name. Even then, it’s helpful to provide a quick synopsis: “ABC Bank, the largest bank in the Midwest, has 4 million locations and 1 billion customers.” Obviously this is not true, but it raises another point: Don’t indulge in hyperbole; you want to attract candidates who genuinely want to work for you, the real you. Authenticity is essential.
• Where the job is located. Is the position at your corporate headquarters? If so, where is your headquarters located? Is the job at a satellite office? Which one? Is there an option to work from home on a full- or part-time basis? Include this information in the job posting.
• Details about work environment. Provide relevant details about the place where the person will be working. Is it an office building? Is it a factory floor? A construction site? Then, provide a bit more detail. A previous Recruiting Daily Advisor article gives this example: “The position is at our corporate headquarters, in Brooklyn, New York, close to public transportation and parking. Our open floor plan encourages collaboration and a team mindset.”
• Benefits package. Do you offer a competitive benefits package? If so, say so. If your benefits package is extraordinary, say more. For example: “Our company offers fully-paid medical and dental insurance, four weeks vacation, a six-month sabbatical after three years of employment, and an array of other benefits. Our benefits package is one of the reasons we are on numerous ‘best company’ lists.”
• Specific perks and other offerings. There’s no such thing as a free lunch – unless you offer free lunch. If you give employees lunch every day or have other attractive perks, like an onsite gym, consider including these in the job posting as well.
• Career growth / advancement opportunities. Does your company have a formal training and development program? Do you offer tuition reimbursement? Is yours a growing organization, with countless opportunities for advancement? Zero in on what career growth and advancement means at your organization. Then share this information.
• Salary. As Recruiting Daily Advisor has noted in previous articles, there’s ongoing debate about whether you should include salary in a job posting. If you’re not in favor of including an actual number, you should still mention salary. “Competitive salary” suggests the position pays market value, within a given range. “Salary commensurate with experience,” on the other hand, suggests your company will pay more for the right individual. Choose your words carefully, as job seekers will consider this aspect of your job posting, along with other information, when evaluating an employment opportunity.