- Human Curious
- May 28, 2024
- 4 min read
Job Posting Optimization Tips for 2024: Attract More Candidates
In today’s competitive job market, attracting top talent can be challenging. Nearly three out of four (74%) UK businesses feel hiring has become harder in the past five years. Additionally, four out of five (80%) UK businesses report persistent difficulty filling jobs, more than double the pre-pandemic rate in 2019. The tight labour market, impact of Brexit reducing access to EU talent pools, and the Great Resignation have all contributed to these widespread hiring challenges faced by UK employers across sectors. Firms are responding by increasing training budgets, using temporary staff, and considering hiring from abroad, though at a limited rate so far. HR teams need to refine their strategies to draw in the best candidates. This guide provides actionable job posting optimization tips to enhance your recruitment process and make your job openings more appealing.
Here are the top recruitment tips for job posting optimization in 2024:
1. Do Not Hide the Salary on the Position
Salary information is important to candidates and job posting optimization. Never say "competitive salary." Candidates need to know if the salary can afford their living costs, especially with rising expenses in the UK. Providing salary transparency upfront signals to the candidates that the company values openness and fairness in its hiring practices. It helps set proper expectations and avoids wasting time on candidates whose salary requirements don't align with the budgeted range.
Importance of Salary Information
67% of job seekers say salary information is among the most important pieces of information they look for in job postings.
Job postings that include salary ranges receive 30% more applications than those without salary information. Furthermore, 63% of candidates say they would not apply for a job that did not list a salary range. The salary information is significant in job posting optimization.
2. Prioritise the Key Job Duties
Employers should list what they truly need. No one is perfect. Prioritise the key job duties and skills required, rather than listing everything you want. This focus helps candidates understand what is essential.
Provides Clear Expectations
Clearly outlining the core responsibilities and essential functions of the role upfront allows candidates to self-assess if their skills and interests align with the position's demands. This transparency helps attract better-fit applicants and reduces the likelihood of early turnover due to mismatched expectations.
Focuses on What Matters Most
Job descriptions can become bloated by listing every possible task. Prioritising the 3-5 key accountabilities that make up the bulk of the role (e.g. 15-25% each) focuses candidates on the vital aspects rather than getting bogged down in minor duties.
Improves Readability
Using concise duty statements with action verbs to describe the main responsibilities, along with clean formatting like bullet points, improves scannability. This makes the core functions easily digestible for candidates reviewing many job postings.
Aligns Candidate Qualifications
By highlighting the fundamental duties, HR can tailor the required and preferred qualifications listed to closely match the skills and experience truly needed to succeed in those key areas of accountability.
3. Showcase Your Company’s Appeal
Your company’s reputation plays a crucial role in attracting candidates. Promote what makes your workplace special. Highlight your company culture, values, and any awards or recognitions.
Career Progression
94% of employees say they would stay at a company longer if it invested in helping them learn.
Additionally, 76% of employees are more likely to see their future at a company that hires from within. Companies committed to talent development are 1.5 times more likely to outperform their peers in achieving superior business performance.
Work-Life Balance
83% of workers say they would be more loyal to their employers if they had flexible work options. Companies that support work-life balance for their employees experience 25% less employee turnover. Furthermore, 40% of employees say they would pay for unlimited vacation, even if it required a 23% salary reduction.
Company Stability
Job security is crucial. 60% of employees say job security is a "very important" factor when considering a new job. Companies with high job security have 50% fewer employees looking for new jobs.
Company Culture and Values
A strong workplace culture is essential. 88% of employees believe a distinct workplace culture is important to business success. Companies with strong cultures saw a 4x increase in revenue growth.
Team and Management
82% of employees say their line manager influences their desire to stay or leave a company. Employees who rate their managers as excellent are 4 times more likely to be engaged at work.
Additional Tips for Job Posting Optimization
Leverage Social Media
Use social media platforms to reach a wider audience. Post job openings on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Engage with followers and showcase your company culture through posts and stories.
Employee Testimonials
Share testimonials from current employees. Positive experiences from existing staff can be very persuasive. Prospective candidates are more likely to apply if they see that your employees are happy.
Make Job Posting SEO Optimised
Ensure your job postings are optimised for search engines. Use relevant keywords and phrases that potential candidates might search for. This increases the visibility of your job listings.
Streamline the Application Process
Make the application process simple and user-friendly. A lengthy or complicated application can deter candidates. Ensure your application form is straightforward and easy to complete.
Conclusion
Attracting more candidates requires a strategic approach. By not focusing solely on salary, prioritising key job duties, and showcasing your company’s appeal, you can enhance your recruitment efforts. If you’re still struggling to find the right candidate, consider partnering with us for additional support. We have the expertise and resources to help you identify and attract the best talent. If you need help finding the right candidates for your company, our team is here to assist. Get in touch with us today to learn how we can support your hiring needs and help you build a stronger team.
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