The Art of a Help Wanted Ad

26 Jun The Art of a Help Wanted Ad

So you need some help.  Maybe it is counter help at Burger King, maybe it is a CFO of your multinational company, but regardless of the position how you advertise the position matters.  There are as many poorly written ads out there as there are bad applicants and a bad ad is just a waste of time and energy.  We have all seen them.  They often read:

Posted on Monster.com

HELP WANTED

Manager.  Pet Shop in Santa Barbara.  Please apply in person.  123 East Street.  No Phone calls Please 123-456-7899

Well no kidding “help wanted” it was posted on Monster.com a job finding website.  I’m pretty sure you weren’t looking to buy a motorcycle or trade a stamp collection.  “Manager” great what does that mean?  Am I managing inventory, people, finances all of the above?  What kind of company is this?  Would I like working there?  Saying don’t call but lists a phone number is like asking people to fail.  They haven’t even listed any job requirements so now they are going to have to sift through 500 applications from people not remotely qualified.  Although, it was posted on Monster so you may also get a handful of grossly overqualified candidates with salary requirements that are way too high.

To write a great ad that is effective you need to consider several things:

• Who do you want to hire and where will they find your ad. Advertising in” The Economist” is great if you are looking for a corporate executive not so great if you are looking for an ice cream shop scoop kid.  Where will your potential employee find you?  Just like finding your target market with your product and service advertising you need to find your target market with your help wanted ads.
• Lead with an attractive call to action or job title, not with HELP WANTED.  What sounds better “HELP WANTED” or “Hiring Animal Lover/Leader for Our Team”
• Clearly define your expectations while also telling them something about your company.  Sell them on why working for you is great.  They are interviewing you too.  This is where the art comes in a bit.  If you aren’t a real wordsmith then consider hiring someone to write the ad for you.  Consider below:

  • • • • Manager.  Pet Shop in Santa Barbara.  Please apply in person.  123 East Street.  No Phone calls Please 123-456-7899. OR,
        • Compassionate animal lover with leadership skills needed to join are 15 person team.  Seeking ambitious person willing to care for animals, schedule staff, interact with animals, take the lead in customer service and help open and close our humane pet store with an extensive selection of animals, fish, and reptiles.  2 years management experience preferred but not required.  Pay commensurate with experience and ability.  Employee benefits include disability, flexible schedule, great work atmosphere, discounts on product and health benefits after initial trial period.  Please forward a letter of interest and resume or stop by the shop and fill out an application in person and come play with the puppies.  You can find us at 123 East Street, Santa Barbara. Woof.

Which ad would you respond to?

• Responding to applicants is also very important.  This is a representation of your company just like an interaction at the sales counter or a phone call.  Call those that you might want to interview right away before they accept something else.  Those that you know you aren’t remotely interested in respond with a form letter thanking them for their interest and encouraging them on their journey.

Try it out and see if you get not just more but better responses to you efforts.