The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that there will be 11.9 million new employment opportunities in the United States between 2020 and 2030.1 Whether you run a small business or work for a large organization, you’ll have to compete for the best qualified individuals. As a result, how you promote your open positions affects your chances of getting them filled.
Some Quick Topics on Effective Job Opening Advertising
Unemployed people are not the only potential applicants out there. The unemployed are not the only ones you want to appeal to when deciding how to advertise employment. According to a study conducted by LinkedIn, 30% of the presently employed population is looking for new opportunities at any given moment.
Here are a Few High Level Tips
Online and offline channels including job boards, social media platforms, classified ads, and company websites are all great places to start advertising your job openings.
Tailor each ad to the specific position you are trying to fill by using keywords that will resonate with potential candidates.
Including a clear and concise job description in your ad will also help attract the right kind of candidate.
Use language that paints a clear picture of what the position entails and what the company is looking for.
In addition, consider offering incentives like flexible work arrangements, telecommuting options, or sign-on bonuses to sweeten the deal.
What are the Available Channels for Finding Potential Applicants?
When determining which advertising methods to use, employers should consider cost, reach, and the target market.
University partnerships can serve as a potential source of applicants whether the job requires specific skills or can be completed by a recent college graduate.
Job fairs are another option for finding potential employees. However, they can be expensive and time-consuming to attend.
LinkedIn, the professional social media site, can also be used to find potential employees. The site has a feature that allows users to see who is looking for a job and what skills they have.
Headhunters can also be a valuable resource for finding potential employees. However, they can be expensive to work with. Headhunter services are typically reserved for higher level openings because of the cost.
State Employment Centers and services often through unemployment offices do have people actively looking for employment that could fill your role with or without some additional training.
Another option for advertising employment opportunities is classified ads. Classified ads have a smaller reach than other methods, but they can be very effective in reaching certain audiences. For example, older candidates may prefer using classifieds to find new opportunities.
The Bottom Line
Employers should consider and use a variety of channels when advertising job openings in order to reach the largest number of potential applicants. Based on the type of position and the skills required, one channel may work better than others so it is best to keep track of how certain channels perform for specific job types and skills.