Information to Include in Job Ads

April 13, 2006

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Use common sense and follow these guidelines to make sure that your ad passes muster. The same rules apply regardless of whether you go with a newspaper, trade journal, or electronic posting.

Tell enough about the job so that those reading the ad can decide whether they are interested and qualified. This is necessary whether it is a four-line ad in the classified column or a full-page, four-color spread in a professional journal.
Give the job title along with a brief description of duties, especially if the job title is ambiguous. Use your job description.
List the minimum education, experience, and skill levels that are acceptable, if applicable. Point out any special criteria such as extensive travel or relocation that would immediately weed out applicants unwilling to take on those aspects of the job.
Use proper grammar and punctuation so your ad will be easy to understand.
Don't overuse abbreviations and acronyms that make it difficult to read or understand the ad. If you must use them, stick with the simple ones.
Be specific about the type of equipment, software programs, etc., that applicants should know how to use or operate.

Remember — writing it right saves you and applicants a lot of time and energy. They want to find the right job as much as you want to find the right employee, and a clear, specific job ad goes a long way toward that end.