Monster

Job Ad Best Practices

The most important recruitment tool is the job ad. Once you research the position, meet with the hiring manager and create an action plan to fill this position, you want to make sure your job ad is going to get the job done. See how you can optimize your job ad setup for better exposure on Monster to attract the best talent.

Ready to stand out in search results? Here’s a list of what you should incorporate into every job ad you post:

Job Title

Don’t get creative. Choose an industry standard job title your ideal candidate would search for. Pro tip: Use one of the job title suggestions that pop up as you type for better ranking in search results.

Also, enter only one job title – adding more than one will hurt your ranking. Keep it under 60 characters and do not add anything extra to the title:

  • No Salary
  • No Location
  • No Abbreviations all caps or punctuation (e.g. %, $, @, /, #, !)
  • No Calls to Action

Check out the SOC 2010 List for industry standard job titles.

    • Receptionist
    • Customer Service Representative
    • Certified Public Accountant
    • Director of First Impressions
    • Customer Service Rep/Call Center Specialist/Service Advisor
    • CPA: $150K – Arlington – Apply Now!!
  • Duplication Warning

    Do not duplicate your postings with job title variations. When a candidate runs a job title search, it surfaces exact matches as well as similar and related job ad titles – making the extra effort of posting duplicates unnecessary.

Job Location

When creating a job ad for a remote position, select No fixed location in the location section and then select Telecommute/home-based. Be sure to include the word “remote” or like terms (work from home, telecommute, flexible workplace, etc.) within your job description text to increase your presence in searches that use this filter.

If on-site, enter the primary location where the employee will work. Provide the street address, city, state, ZIP code, and country. “Jobs near me” is a very popular search, so it’s important to be clear about your location.

Pro Tip: Offering a Remote Position?
Job seekers are interested in jobs that will allow them to better manage their life, working hours, commute, and generally improve their work/life balance. If you’re offering a position that speaks to these desires, make sure to include some of the following keywords within your job description: Flexible Hours, Fully Remote, Virtual Work, Work from Home, etc.

  • 200 Bay St., San Jose CA 95134, US

  • CA 95134, US

  • Duplication Warning

    Monster’s search is designed to return job ads based on the physical location of a job ad. Falsely advertising positions in different physical locations will negatively impact relevancy. They may get flagged as fraudulent by candidates or rank lower in search results due to oversaturation. Monster strives to maintain the integrity and relevance of our services to job candidates and would ask employers to refrain from these kinds of practices.

Company Name

Candidates appreciate transparency and are more likely to apply if they can research the company. If you decide to check the box next to “Keep company name confidential” instead, your job ad may not get the exposure you are looking for.

Pro Tip: Leave the location out of it.
You might be tempted to add an identifier to your location, but this will only hurt your ranking in searches.

  • Clyde’s Coffeehouse

  • Clyde’s Coffeehouse on First Ave.

Industry and Job Type

The more information you provide, the better. Be clear about the industry and job type for each position so candidates will know exactly what you are looking for.

Salary Range

Salary is one of the main considerations in a job search and can be a big driver when it comes to applies. Listing a salary increases applications by 20%.1

Be upfront and you will attract candidates with matching salary expectations. This will also save you from reviewing candidates who have their sights set on a different pay scale.

Branding Elements: Logos, Videos & More

Infuse your employer brand positioning statement wherever you can and add some visuals to make your job ad more impactful:

  • Including your company logo in your job ad will help it stand out in search results and make it more memorable to candidates.
  • Create a Company Profile to tell candidates more about your company and opportunities. Incorporate your employer brand messaging and position your company as an employer of choice. You can also feature your logo and a video to help candidates recognize your culture, work environment and everything you have to offer.
  • Videos can give candidates an inside look into everything you have to offer, from the office environment to the company culture – and they can really help you engage qualified candidates. 78% of recruiters using video say it has helped increase the quality of applications. Add one to your job ad or Company Profile today! 2

Quality Job Description

This is where you sell the job to your qualified candidates. To boost your position in search results, make sure to include your company name in your description as well as a variety of keywords that candidates may search for. For a great overview of how to write each section, read 5 Steps to Your 5-Star Job Ad. Plus, follow these job ad writing tips:

  • Be clear and concise
    Describe your company and the job, but no one wants to read a novel to decide if they’re a good fit for this role.
  • Sell the position
    Why would someone want to work for you over a competitor? Growth opportunities? Exciting projects? Better location? An inclusive environment?
  • Go beyond bulleted lists
    Provide a little insight into your company values and culture. Plus, a friendly and inviting tone can do wonders when it comes to response rates.

 

1 Internal Monster Data
2 videomyjob.com