If you read my previous blog, 5 Tips for Writing a Job Posting, then you’re well on your way to writing a successful job posting. Before you post that job, though, here are five points to avoid when writing a job posting.
1. Ignoring compensation
Salary plays a big role in a candidate’s decision to accept a job offer or even apply. If your company offers a competitive compensation plan, be sure to mention it. If your company offers a lower salary, talk about the other perks of joining the company such as benefits, culture, advancement opportunities or flexible schedules. While salary can be a major draw, culture and flexibility can be equally attractive to other candidates including millennials.
2. Forgetting to sell
This is where many employers drop the ball. You’re trying to sell your opportunity to a potential candidate. Don’t just use the same cookie cutter job posting that has been in place for 10 years. Get creative and stand out from the others! When creating the job posting, you’ll want to answer two questions:
- a. What will candidates love about the job?
- b. What do employees love about your company?
3. Leaving out potential deal breakers
This ties in with my previous post under clear expectations. Lots of travel, straight commission, third shift and etc. All can be potential deal breakers for a candidate. Don’t waste your time or the candidate’s time. Make sure to communicate any deal breakers as it could be a factor into a candidate’s decision to apply for the job.
4. Making promises you can’t keep
“Pay increase after 90 days” or “weekly bonuses” are great examples of promises you may not be able to keep. If you hire someone but they aren’t exactly a rock star and you can’t quite bring yourself to fire them, do you really want to give the person a pay increase? Probably not. But if it’s in writing, they will hold you liable to it. Be sure to mention there is potential for those opportunities and don’t make it a guarantee or promise.
5. Discrimination
You may not realize you’re doing it but mentioning “seeking recent college graduates” or “young and energetic” can be construed as discrimination. Any mention of age, race, sex, national origin, disability or religion can be considered an act of discrimination.
