Adams & Garth Blog

Ever post a job then get flooded with dozens of resumes from inexperienced job candidates in Lynchburg and throughout Central Virginia? Most managers have experienced this scenario a time or two. So how can you craft a job posting that encourages people with the right kind of experience to apply?

Here are some tips:

Tip #1: Use well-known and familiar job titles.

Use job titles that a candidate will recognize so they can easily find your position when performing a search for jobs in Lynchburg and throughout Central Virginia. Candidates can be confused or misled by unclear job titles, so it’s best to be as specific as possible, such as:

Director of Human Resources
Bookkeeper
Administrative Assistant

Tip #2: Command attention with a targeted headline.

Create a job posting with an interesting headline that will grab the attention of high quality candidates. Your headline should make a candidate want to know more about your company, and ultimately, respond to your job posting. Here’s an example:

Join a Lynchburg, VA company recognized by Fortune magazine as one of the fastest growing manufacturing firms in the nation.

Tip #3: Be brief and straightforward.

A job listing that’s 2,000 words long and filled with minutiae is simply going to frustrate candidates. Instead, be as clear and concise as possible, using simple sentence structure and punctuation.

Tip #4: Avoid exaggerated language.

Using some descriptive wording is fine, but don’t go overboard and excessively use industry buzzwords, or worse yet, misrepresent your company. Candidates will be able to see through this kind of language and will be turned off by it.

Tip #5: Include a clear call to action.

This sounds like a no-brainer, but too often postings will include multiple ways to apply for a job, like an email address, an Apply Now button, a link to the company website, a mailing address, and a fax number. This can lead to confusion; in fact, the less options, the better. Including a simple “Apply Now” or “Apply Online” button is completely acceptable. If the posting is in print, then include an email address and mailing address.

Tip #6: Use a template for all your job postings.

Using a template for all of your job postings is a good way to keep it simple. Be sure to include the following information for each posting:

• Job title
• Brief description of your company
• Job responsibilities
• Required credentials
• Application instructions
• Call to action

Tip #7: Format your job posting.

Use subheads and bullet points to highlight key points and to break up the copy in your posting, making it easier for candidates to skim quickly.

If you need additional help writing your job postings, or you’d like to outsource this task to a professional staffing agency serving Lynchburg and Central Virginia, please contact Adams & Garth. We can craft job postings that will entice the most qualified candidates for your position. We can also screen, interview and help you hire top performers. Contact Adams & Garth. We can help!