Do you have a vacancy at your place of work that needs to be filled?
Or, are you undertaking a project that you need help with because you cannot tick all the boxes by yourself? Either way, it’s time to draw up a job advert!
In 2025, when you are posting a job advert, you need to go beyond just what the person who is applying can expect in the job. You need to make the job more appealing to different audiences, while also being honest about the job description and making sure you are as transparent as possible to attract the right crowd.
So, how do you create a job advert that will help get the right people applying? Here are five tips for writing a job advert that could attract the top talent your business needs.
- Know Who You Want To Attract
It sounds obvious, but when drawing up your job advert, who do you want to attract?
For example, if the role is for a graphic designer and the job is for a set period, you will likely want someone who is trained in graphic design, has a portfolio, and is a freelancer. It may be recommended to add a “what you’ll bring” section to the job advert, so you can list exactly what you are expecting from anyone that you hire.
If the role is permanent, then you will want to appeal to those who may want a bit more than a paycheck and may be looking to advance in their career. So, mention the chance for promotion, as well as salary, and if there is no chance for a promotion, mention how the skills that they will learn in this job can help them in other roles, should they choose to leave in the future. Of course, if you are having trouble identifying who you want to fill the post, as well as how to write an appealing job advert, it can be worth contacting a team like the HR Dept to oversee both areas for you.
- Advertise it Online
Of course, you need to get this job advert online to get it seen, and, irrespective of the size of your company, one of the best places to do this is on LinkedIn. This platform allows you to post one free job, which, if written well, will attract a lot of talent quickly.
In general, you should aim to get the advert onto as many job sites as possible, with Indeed, The Guardian, and Reed. The more places it is advertised, the more likely you are to find the right candidate to fill it.
- Be Specific
One thing that savvy job seekers will note is whether your job description is specific. If it is vague, they are more likely to skip over it.
For example, which sounds better for a job role?
“Our team is looking for an Office Assistant to help with daily tasks, such as supporting the team, handling paperwork, and other duties as needed.” Or “We are seeking an Office Assistant to help maintain a busy office, with duties including greeting visitors and answering incoming calls promptly, as well as managing calendars, meeting schedules, and processing invoices.”
The second one hammers down exactly what the applicant will be expected to do,and it will increase the chances of you getting the right applicant for the role.
- Follow legal Guidelines
There are also some legal guidelines you need to follow when placing a job advert.
The Equality Act 2010 prohibits discrimination in hiring practices based on age, gender, race, disability, religion, or other protected characteristics. So, all job adverts need to be clear, use inclusive language, and avoid requirements related to the role. For example, you cannot specify a certain age unless it is justified.
You also need to state if the role is permanent, temporary, part-time, or full-time, and you must also display accurate information about pay and responsibilities. Jobs that involve regulated activities, such as overseeing children or working with vulnerable adults, also need to mention background checks, such as DBS, so that the applicant is aware of this process.
- Follow-Up
It is the bane of job seekers everywhere when they apply for a role and hear nothing back.
Yes, you may have found the absolutely perfect applicant for the job, but what about the others who applied? This is not a necessary rule, but it can help to maintain the reputation of your business. If you have narrowed down the list of applicants to five and have chosen one, please inform the others, rather than leave it open. This job may need filling in the future, and the last thing you want is to be associated with ghosting applicants.