It can be incredibly frustrating when your job post doesn’t get any traction, or if the candidates that apply aren’t the candidates you want. This is especially true in healthcare, where commonplace staffing shortages can wreak havoc on patient care. But writing effective job ads isn’t always easy. You may be overlooking some surprising factors when it comes to attracting top candidates.
Here are some reasons your job posts may not be working.
1. You’re not listing compensation
Only 12% of job postings on American job sites indicate salary. Including compensation, even if it’s just a range, can make more effective job ads.
In fact, an increasing number of candidates won’t apply for a job without this information. Sharing salaries can attract top candidates, create a more qualified applicant pool, and build trust with potential hires.
Being open about compensation can also help candidates determine if you’re a competitive employer. Good compensation is a major selling point, and there’s no reason to hide it. If your job advertisement isn’t attracting your ideal candidates, try adding your preferred salary range to the posting.
2. You’re overlooking SEO
Candidates today face a sea of digital job advertisements, and often use search engines to find relevant positions. It’s easy for a job posting to get lost in the flood.
Search engine optimization (or SEO) can help lead your ideal candidate straight to your posting. In today’s digital age, it’s in your best interest to optimize your job ad for the web.
Even if you’re new to SEO, there are a few key changes you can make to help your job posting stand out. Decide on one or two key terms, and then feature those prominently. Make the title of your job post clear and straightforward, and include all relevant information, like location and start date. Use the job title in the job posting at least five times to further increase your visibility.
3. Your job description isn’t accurate
It can be hard to condense all the responsibilities of your positions into simple and effective job ads. Sometimes, even if it’s not your intention, your job description may be inaccurate.
You may also be using an outdated description that doesn’t accurately reflect your current needs. This is a problem, since discovering a job is different than advertised can be a headache for applicants. Even before the interview stage, misleading job posts can lead to applications from candidates who don’t match your qualifications. To further reduce confusion, you should keep your job descriptions relatively short.
Check out our blog on nursing job descriptions for some examples of comprehensive and accurate job posts.
4. You’re posting at the wrong time
According to LinkedIn, most job seekers look at and apply to jobs from Monday through Wednesday. Even if you’ve crafted an effective job ad, posting your job on the weekend might not lead to much interaction.
Time of day may also be a factor, along with your candidates’ time zones. When in doubt, look at your own data. When have you gotten the most candidate engagement on previous job posts? Try posting or reposting at those times.
5. You’re distributing job ads to the wrong places
With so many healthcare job boards, it can be difficult to know where your talent network actually congregates. You may be missing out on your ideal candidate, simply because they’re checking a different job board.
Additionally, you may also not be distributing your jobs to enough places. Along with job boards and your own career page, consider posting jobs on social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Facebook. Even TikTok can help you attract new candidates.
Alternatively, use a platform like Apploi. We distribute your job postings to dozens of the best healthcare job boards so you don’t have to.
6. Your job posts aren’t mobile-friendly
Mobile phones have revolutionized the job market, making it easier than ever to apply to jobs from anywhere. 85% of Americans own a smartphone, so if your job posts aren’t mobile-friendly, you risk missing out on top talent.
Your ideal candidates may be busy. They could be parents, already working, or have other commitments. Mobile job ads can allow candidates to peruse and apply with flexibility.
In fact, candidates applying to jobs through Apploi in 2021 were 2x more likely to respond to employer texts than to emails. Make sure your candidates can apply via mobile. Ease of access makes a huge difference when it comes to attracting top talent.
Apploi Has a Solution
Apploi can streamline your job posting process, so you have access to the best candidates possible. Interested in learning more about how you can recruit, hire, and onboard healthcare staff quickly? Contact us today for a free demo of our complete talent management solution.
