Organisations of all sizes are already feeling the pinch - and it can only get worse. Yet while everyone should be investigating potential cost-cutting measures, research by free classified ad providers Gumtree has revealed that 9 out of 10 companies are spending £4000 per candidate recruited - yet still failing to find good people.
In its 'Wasting a Wage' survey, Gumtree also found that:
- Over half of those surveyed admit that their job advertisements need to change
- 41% are tempted to use big words to liven up job descriptions
- 25% have trouble understanding their own job descriptions
- 33% spend just half an hour interviewing each applicant
- 46% feel that applicants' looks are key
Small and medium sized organisations, which have the smallest training budgets (if any at all), are particularly hard hit. More than half of the SMEs surveyed admitted that they struggle to make job ads sound interesting.
So what's the problem? They are far more job-hunters than there are vacancies, so something's going wrong somewhere along the line. Might it be that those candidates who do make it to interview stage are so perplexed at being hustled out after half an hour that they decide to take their skills elsewhere?
Comments (1)
Posted by Edwin | May 20, 2009 11:26 AM
The problem with most adverts is that they are written quickly due to being an administrative job.
Often done at the end of day when you're trying to get out of door...
First look at your objective - to have the best possible person apply to your role. Preferably someone not looking, has a quick browse and thinks ______________
Well what you might have filled in is "what that is an irresistable offer"
Put this into context, be creative and think how you can use this idea within ad writing.
Use the idea of an irresistable offer - after all you want the best people to buy your product (in this case yoiur vacancy).
Think of 3 ideas...
*Create a high return on investment for your prospect
For example, how is the role going to benefit that person. Remember you're hoping to attract the person already doing well in his current role.
*Create a clear message about your company This is the one brand-identifying message you always want associated with your business
*Create believability - add in a one line quote from a happily recruited individual
Create a template for all your ads that follow the same theme. Automate the ad writing process so it takes less time - it doesn't create a burdon on your time and gets maximum effectiveness.
Posted on May 20, 2009 11:26