How to write a winning ad for jobs, contracts and projects

A job ad is a powerful tool that can help you attract the best candidates to fill your open positions. But, if not written correctly, it can also be a major hindrance to your hiring efforts. When writing a job ad, it’s important to keep in mind what you want to accomplish with the ad. Are you looking for quality candidates? Are you looking for a specific type of candidate? What type of role are you looking to recruit for? Whatever your goal may be, make sure that it is clear in the ad. There are several elements to the ad such as the headline, the description, benefits, salary details and company information.

Job adswill vary slightly depending on the type of the ad – it will need to include different information for a job, a contract or a project. Tailor the ad to the job and avoid creating generic ads that apply to all the vacancies you recruit for.

Here are some tips to help you write a winning ad for jobs, contracts, and projects:

1. Use keywords

When writing your ad, be sure to use keywords that suitable candidates would be searching for. These keywords should be related to the position and the company. For example, if you are looking for a web developer, some keywords to include might be "web development,” "HTML,” "CSS,” and "JavaScript.”

2. Be clear and concise

When writing your ad, be sure to get straight to the point. The ad should be clear about what the position is and what the company is looking for in a candidate. Don’t use flowery language or try to be too clever – you want your ad to be easy to read and understand. Include a summary of duties, salary information, company details, benefits, skills and competencies required for the role.

3. Highlight the benefits

When writing your ad, be sure to highlight the benefits of working for your company. What sets your company apart from the competition? What can candidates expect if they are hired by your company? Be sure to answer these questions in your ad. Provide a summary of the advantages of working for your company such as flexible working, company events and funded training where these are provided. The ad should position your business in a way that appears attractive for the candidate. Find out what candidates in your industry value from an employer and ensure you offer these as much as you can.

4. Use persuasive language

When writing your ad, be sure to use persuasive language that will entice candidates to apply for the position. For example, you might want to use phrases such as "join our team,” "be a part of something great,” or "grow with us.”

5. Call to action

Last but not least, be sure to include a call to action in your ad. Tell candidates what you want them to do – whether it’s to apply for the position or to contact you for more information. In the call to action you may want to include details on next steps and how the candidate can apply. This could be something like ‘fill out our online application’, or ‘send your cv to…’ Make sure you are very clear on what you want the reader to do next if they are interested in applying. If the recruitment process takes place in stages, tell them. People always want to know what will happen next.

As you plan your ad, think about what the potential candidate would like to know. This will include details on the job, expectations, team , company culture, and specifics of the job such as duties and expectations.

You may also want to highlight what the recruitment process will look like - if the candidates are expected to complete a test, provide a work sample or go through another type of assessment. Be sure to let the candidates know what to expect so they can be prepared. The best ads are written with the candidate in mind rather than the company.

Often, job ads will be limited to a certain number of words which will vary depending on the platform. Your ad must therefore be succinct while including all of the relevant information. The goal is to write an ad that will not only attract the best candidates, but also to persuade them to apply for the position. By following these tips, you can write a winning ad that will help you find the perfect candidate for your open position.