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Tips for More Effective Job Postings

Some of these are specific to TheLadders.com, while some are more general, but all will get you a more targeted, qualified response to your job postings.

1. Be Detailed. The more you spell out the details of the position, the more targeted your response will be. Be sure to include as much information as possible about the hiring company and the position. If you'd like to keep the company confidential, be sure to at least include a Company Headline that gives a brief description of this company (ie "Fortune 500 Pharmaceuticals"). If the job doesn't require a specific location, be sure to label it "Virtual/Travel". This will ensure that your job is seen by all interested candidates.

Remember: a good job description contains the necessary information. A great job description gives job seekers every bit of information they need to decide whether or not they'd like to apply.

2. Highlight Key Information. Don't be afraid to use bolding to call out your most specific requirements and guidelines for application -- make it impossible for job seekers to miss!

We recommend that you not only use bold font to distinguish this key informtion, but also highlight these points at the beginning and/or end of the job description. It's especially helpful to put strict requirements or instructions at the very end, where they'll be right above the "apply" button.

3. Start Strong. Always start your job postings with an "attention grabber" or "hook" -- something that will pique that candidate's interest and entice them to read further. Many recruiters that we work swear by this format:

• "Hook"
• Company Description
• Detailed Job Description
• Bulleted List of Application Requirements
• List of Qualities that are Preferred but Not Required
• Bolded List of "Dealbreakers", or "Candidates Need Not Apply If..." (see tip #2 for more on this!)

4. Identify Your Target. Is your goal to reach a broad audience and get a lot of applications? Or would you rather receive a few, very targeted applications? To reach a broader audience and receive a lot of applications, write a more general job posting. If you prefer to narrow your applicant pool and target an exact audience, be very specific and use strong language to identify your ideal candidate.

With these tips, you should be off to the races posting your $100k+ jobs. 

Happy Hiring!