When you need to fill a position in your business you need to advertise for someone qualified to do the job. This is quite an easy task in itself, but there are a few hints and tips that can help you get the most out of advertising and some that might help you separate the good candidates from the bad.

Get your advertisement right

Wherever you decide to advertise you need to concentrate on what you’re going to write. To begin with it’s always a good idea to stick to the facts and not embellish the job at all. You won’t be thanked for making the job sound more attractive than it actually is. Anyone applying for your position is doing so for their own very specific reasons and reading your flowery descriptions about how great it is to work there is not likely to help at all; it will only serve to put people off.

That’s not to say you can’t make the job sound reasonably nice, but you must stick to the facts. Tell the prospective employee all the good things they want to hear like the pay, and working hours etc; not that the gardens are beautiful in the springs etc.

Be specific

If you have a position that requires specific skills and qualities ensure that you put them in the ad, and don’t be afraid to write that anyone without these skills “need not apply”. It’s good to focus your requirements as much as you can in order to get a small group of focused candidates applying. Some people may think that more candidates is better, but to have a few who really fit the position is much better.

Be sure to advertise in the right place

If you need someone with very specific professional skills then it’s not really time and cost effective to advertise in the local newspaper. You may wish to advertise in dedicated publications and journals etc. For example, if you require a teacher or lecturer then it’s always best to advertise in The Times Educational Supplement. This works the same in every profession. Medical and scientific staff will more than likely be found in journals specific to their specialisation, and the same goes for IT specialists.

Recruitment consultancy

This is always another avenue if you don’t mind spending a little money finding the right person for the job. Recruitment consultants will take all the pressure and hassle away from finding the right applicant for your vacancy. Their vast experience has given them experience in virtually all industry sectors and it’s this knowledge that you pay for above all else. Be sure to go with a reputable consultancy that has a proven track record of success.

Job Centre Plus

Job Centre Plus is an excellent resource to use when you’re looking for a particular candidate. You may not get highly specialised candidates with this method, primarily because these candidates will be looking in professional publications more than likely, but you will reach a lot of people. The beauty of Job Centre Plus is that now it’s online, anyone can access your vacancy at anytime. With all the centres across the country, all boasting interactive, touch screen job search panels and the website live 24 hours a day, you can reach thousands of potential employees from just one resource. Job Centre Plus uses something they call EDon (Employer Direct Online). This service allows you to post your vacancies online quickly and easily, anytime you want. This will be updated in job Centres across the country and updated on the website as soon as you advertise another position.

Conclude

As long as you make sure you focus your search to a certain degree, if you use even some of the tips above you should be able to find the candidate you’re looking for. Be sure to make notes during the application process so you have some relevant questions to ask your successful candidates.

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