A clear and engaging job description helps attract the right candidates. But writing one is no easy feat. To inspire you, we dove into the Workable job board to identify some of the best job ad examples that are currently out there. From using simple language to employing creativity, here are some creative job posting examples and what makes them so effective.
Contents
7 of the best job ad examples from the Workable job board:
If you want to promote your company culture
Larger, more well-known brands don’t need to be super creative with their job ads; candidates already want to work there. On the other hand, for cool tech startups, it’s perfectly acceptable – almost compulsory, in fact – to use casual language in a job ad to showcase their work culture. This way, they can attract candidates even if they’re not big names. But what about companies that carry the stigma of more traditional, not-so-fancy industries?
The key here is to be as transparent as possible. Just because you don’t have a ping-pong table (which might actually not be a bad thing), it doesn’t mean your employees are not happy or that you don’t offer other, more meaningful benefits. Make sure your job ads reflect your work life by giving specific examples and sharing employees’ stories to demonstrate their positive engagement in your company.
The Equity Project (TEP) Charter School proves that you don’t have to blow your budget to promote your open roles. In their job ads, they’re being transparent about salaries, so that candidates know exactly what to expect:
Also, the school organizes in-person information sessions, where people who’re interested in a position can get first-hand experience of the work life. Here’s how candidates can learn more and RSVP in one of these sessions through a job ad:
If you want to attract tech talent (when you’re not a tech company)
Naturally, developers will be fascinated to work with a company that builds software. Likewise, designers will actively look for job opportunities at design studios and agencies. For candidates with a tech background, industries like retail and fashion are not usually a first choice, when it comes to applying for a new job. Still, those industries require qualified tech employees, for example to build their website, support their e-shop or design their logos and ad campaigns.
To attract tech talent, you need to speak their language. Instead of using random, meaningless buzzwords – those actually turn candidates off – you could ask for help from current team members who’ll be able to better describe the role. Here’s how Lyst, the global fashion search platform, advertises its engineering positions:
Candidates, reading this job ad, learn exactly what they’ll be working on and what frameworks, languages and tools they’ll be using. This way, they get the full scope of the role and can start picturing themselves as part of the team.
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If you want to speak to specific groups of candidates
Most job ads begin with a generic ‘About us’ section. When you’re often hiring for various roles, consider differentiating your intro for each department (e.g. one intro for engineering, another one for sales, etc.) This gives you the chance to improve your pitch to job seekers, by highlighting what matters the most to them.
For example, candidates for engineering roles will be intrigued to hear about the tech stack you’re using or what new features you’re working on. Have a look at this Senior Android Engineer job description from Workable:
If you’re hiring remote candidates
Hiring remotely is challenging as you compete for talent with companies from all over the world. Add to this, the fact that non-local candidates might not be familiar with your brand. This means you need to put extra effort to make your job ads stand out.
Leadfeeder, a website traffic software company based in Helsinki, has distributed teams across Europe and the US. On their careers page, it’s clear from the job title which positions are remote and which are not:
Let’s take a closer look at a remote job for a Content Strategy and SEO Lead:
Reading the job ad, candidates get a very good idea of what the role entails and where their team is based, so they can decide if this works for them. Being transparent helps candidates consider remote job opportunities, even if they haven’t heard the company before.
And of course, it’s always a nice idea to highlight the perks of working for a remote company, like the chance to meet your distributed team overseas:
If you’re in an industry with a high turnover rate
To increase employee retention, companies should focus on hiring people who seek a career – not a temp job. You can do this by highlighting your employee development plans and training programs you offer.
Here’s an example from Boojum, the Irish burrito chain. The job ad starts by making it clear that there are career development opportunities within the company:
And later, under the ‘Benefits’ section, candidates read all the reasons why they should consider a position at Boojum. These benefits include a list of training sessions that prove that the company invests in their people.
Along the same lines, Charlotte Tilbury, the popular makeup brand, lists all the benefits that employees will get once they join the company. The following example is for an Assistant Business Manager and includes benefits from career development and trainings to life insurance and product discounts:
If you’re hiring interns
When advertising internships at your company, it makes sense to provide details about the job duties. This way, you’ll attract interns who understand that this is a real job opportunity that will help them use their knowledge and further develop their skills.
This is an example of how Belmond Group, the large hotel company, describes the role of a Front Office intern:
For more ideas on how to write effective job descriptions, check out our guides here and here or read our complete job posting ebook. You can also browse our library of 650+ job description templates that you can easily customize and post to advertise your open roles.
Once you’ve advertised your open roles, it’s time to start thinking about promoting your company, too. Here are 10 of our favorite careers pages to get you inspired.
Frequently asked questions
What is a job ad?
A job ad is an ad that you pay to be placed on a job board or recruitment site. These ads typically include information about the job, salary, and a description of the job that you are trying to fill.
What makes a bad job advertisement?
One of the biggest job advertisement mistakes you can make is to not include the full responsibilities and duties of the role. Otherwise your candidates won't know what to expect from their day-to-day role. As well as engaging the reader, your job advertisement needs to be clear and succinct to speak directly to your audience to get your ideal candidates.
What are some tips to help my job ad stand out from the competition?
You can add certain elements to your job ad like bullet points. This gives the candidate quick access to the overall picture of the job. Use concise wording in the job description that relate to your company to build trust with potential candidates.
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FAQs
How do you write a catchy job posting? ›
- Perform a thorough job analysis. ...
- Keep the job posting in the 300-700 word range. ...
- A job title must be clear, direct, and specific. ...
- Describe the job opportunity. ...
- Sell the job opportunity. ...
- Sell the company vision and culture. ...
- Describe the application process.
- An understandable job title. ...
- Supportive language that speaks directly to the candidate you're trying to attract. ...
- Required and desirable skills clearly separated. ...
- Headings to break up text. ...
- A salary range. ...
- Your contact details/application instructions.
Concisely describe the job's benefits. Summarize the benefits package. Keep the job's requirements clear and realistic. Use strong verbs to describe the job's responsibilities.
How can I make my job ad more attractive? ›- Personalise the advert. ...
- Talk about company culture. ...
- Make it easy to read. ...
- Avoid buzzwords and clichés. ...
- Use an infographic job advert. ...
- Link the advert to a video. ...
- Go wild and creative. ...
- Shout about your values.
- Write a compelling introduction. ...
- Tell job seekers who you are. ...
- Be transparent about job requirements. ...
- List the preferred formal qualifications. ...
- Let them know about your expectations. ...
- Reasons for applying to your company. ...
- Explain communication expectations. ...
- State the hourly pay.
- The basics.
- Relate to your customers.
- Help your business stand out from the others.
- Entice them to take action.
- Be specific.
- Be direct.
- Include keywords.
- Be proper.
Unclear job descriptions, undisclosed salaries and benefits, and confusing jargon are among the most common mistakes companies must avoid when creating their job postings.
What are five qualities of a good advertisement? ›- It's True to Its Offering.
- It's Easily Accessible Across Platforms.
- It Sets Realistic Expectations.
- It Speaks to Your Customers' Needs.
- It's Enticing and Persuasive.
- It Delivers a Clear Message.
- It's Carefully Thought Out.
- It's Focused and Concise.
While some phrases and terms attract job seekers, a few phrases or words turn them away. For example, words like “growth”, “challenge”, “creative”, “motivated”, and “flexible” gave candidates a positive impression.
What should you not say in a job posting? ›Using vague language or jargon that could be code for a hyper-competitive, cutthroat or even abusive work culture are among the cardinal sins of job postings. Another turn off for many job applicants, research shows: omitting the salary range for a position.
What's a good attention grabbing statement? ›
Anecdotes. Perhaps the most effective method of grabbing a reader's attention is to use an anecdote. Anecdotes are short stories that illustrate a point. When used properly, they can captivate your audience, and even make them forget they're reading an essay.
What are some attention grabbing sentences? ›- I lost my arm on my last trip home. ...
- A screaming comes across the sky. ...
- It began the usual way, in the bathroom of the Lassimo Hotel. ...
- Miss Brooke had that kind of beauty which seems to be thrown into relief by poor dress. ...
- We slept in what once had been the gymnasium. ...
- It was love at first sight.
- Speak to Your Target Audience. ...
- Write a Specific Headline. ...
- Create a Compelling Company Description. ...
- Draft an Accurate Job Description. ...
- Optimize Recruitment Ads For Search.
She replied to a lonely hearts ad. The cathedral was destroyed by the Great Fire of 1136 AD. The original castle was probably built about AD 860. The Roman Empire was divided in the fourth century AD.
How do you write a good display ad? ›- Use responsive display ads. ...
- Get ideas for ads. ...
- Optimize images and your brand logo. ...
- Use clear and compelling headlines and text. ...
- Include prices, promotions, and exclusives. ...
- Provide a relevant landing page. ...
- Create 3 to 4 ads per ad group.
Misspellings and sentences that don't make sense are a common result of not proofreading your job advert and job descriptions. By not spotting and resolving these writing errors, you make your job advert hard to read and understand, making your company look bad and like it has low standards.
What are 5 common mistakes made during a job search? ›- Errors on your job application materials. ...
- Not asking questions in the interview. ...
- Not being self aware. ...
- Not doing any research on the company. ...
- Not customizing your resume and cover letter. ...
- Not cleaning up your social media.
- Thinking advertising isn't necessary. ...
- Advertising without researching. ...
- Using only one medium. ...
- Using low-resolution images. ...
- No copy. ...
- Inappropriate color scheme. ...
- Focusing on your business. ...
- Selecting the wrong publication.
- Help suggest jobs if you're asked. ...
- Help them create a professional profile online. ...
- Seek out career coaches. ...
- Research online job boards. ...
- Ask them to list ideal jobs. ...
- Help them decide if they want to go back to school. ...
- Help them determine if a job is a good fit. ...
- Offer advice about job trends.
- Job Title. Make your job titles specific. ...
- Job Summary. Open with a strong, attention-grabbing summary. ...
- Responsibilities and Duties. Outline the core responsibilities of the position. ...
- Qualifications and Skills. Include a list of hard and soft skills. ...
- Salary and Benefits. Include a salary range.
How do you express excitement about job opportunities? ›
- Ask for the job. It sounds ridiculously simple, but one of the easiest ways to demonstrate your enthusiasm is to come right out and ask for the job. ...
- Say everyone's names. This is a small touch that makes a big difference. ...
- Project the right body language. ...
- Send a thank you note.
- Just start writing (you'll edit later) ...
- Speak the language of social media. ...
- Make your posts accessible. ...
- Keep it simple. ...
- Write to the reader. ...
- Have a clear purpose. ...
- Use (the right) pictures to enhance your words.
- Do your research. If you want your audience to notice and engage with your social posts, you need to make them highly relevant to your target group. ...
- Speak their language. ...
- Develop your voice. ...
- Be positive. ...
- Keep it short and simple. ...
- Use images and videos. ...
- Add a call to action.