Writing a job ad
What to put on the ad so the right people ask about it.
A good ad, part by part
This is a real-sized ad from the board (sample), with what each part is for.
Line cook
Riverside bistro, 60 covers (sample)
Riverside
Four evenings a week, 16:00 to 23:00
$17.50 an hour
Permanent
Closes Tue 28 Oct
Filled
Filled
JB-2036
The job title
The words people use when they talk about the job: line cook, not culinary associate.
Employer and place
What kind of business you are and the part of town, so people can picture the trip.
Hours
Days and times. “Four evenings, 16:00 to 23:00” gets more replies than “flexible”.
The pay line
In numbers, before tax. It is the first thing people read.
The tabs
One per opening. Tell us when you fill one and we tear it, so people can see the job is going.
Before you send your ad
Read it once as a job seeker would. If a line does not help someone decide whether to ask, cut it.
- Pay in numbers, before tax
- Hours as days and times
- A closing date
- How many people you need
- What experience is needed, and what is not
Hiring this month? Put it on the board
Send the job title, pay, hours and how many people you need. We check the ad and put it up within one working day, on the website and on the felt board at the library.