Posting a job advertisement on popular job boards is an essential step of the recruitment process. However, often this job posting is delegated to junior staff or interns, considering it one of the most basic functions of recruitment. You might not be doing it right. Where the talent is sparse and competition is fierce, your job advertisement can easily get lost in the pack.
Therefore, your job posts must be powerful enough to engage the audience and entice the right candidates to apply. Though job advertisement is your marketing pitch to prospective candidates, some recruiters do not reach out to the required talent, despite investing their time and efforts to post online jobs. If you are one of those recruiters, you might be making any of the job posting mistakes discussed below.
Making Trendy Job Titles
We understand you want to reflect the cool image of your company by using trendy job titles, such as Sales Ninja, digital Overlord, or Design Jedi. Honestly, these trendy titles won’t do you any favor when an applicant will search for your open position. Job seekers use keywords to find jobs or to set automated alerts, so these overly fancy titles to post online jobs are of no use here.
Instead, use industry-specific keywords and standard keywords only. Using common phrases in your job titles will assist your job post to get shown higher in search results. This will help you in getting quick responses and further your recruitment process.
Using Insider Jargon
Another common mistake that recruiters make while posting a job is using insider acronyms or jargon that are impossible for an outsider to know or comprehend. If your job requires an applicant with experience in software that has specifically been built for your company, you will never get anything in your bucket.
For instance, instead of writing “Level 2 Customer Care Specialist” which might possibly intimidate a job applicant who doesn’t have any idea how your company operates, just use a ‘Customer Care Specialist’. You should list the requirements for that specific role and leave the distinctions for the later steps of the recruitment.
Not Setting Up Mobile Applications
According to a report, almost 67 percent of job applications were completed using a mobile phone. If your job advertisement is not accepting mobile phone applications in this world of smartphones, you are wasting your time no matter what job board you are using. This means it is imperative to set up your job posts for mobile applications.
If you are using a job posting site, make sure it has a user-friendly mobile app. The app’s user interface should be responsive; it should adapt itself for optimal viewing on different devices, including mobile screens. Conversely, if you are posting on your own site, you need to regulate every step of your recruitment, from readability to application submission.
Creating a Complex Application Process
A complex ad copy or a challenging application submission might put off most job seekers. If people don't get how to submit their CV at first glance, you might significantly lose traffic to your job posts. Along the same line, tons of complicated questions at the time of application submission will intimidate the candidates and they would simply prefer to walk away.
Therefore, eliminate the complexity from your job posts even if you want to add every job detail. Moreover, reduce the assessment questions and choose only those that matter. Similarly, leaving work examples and portfolios for the later stages of the recruitment process also makes sense.
Opting for a Wrong Site
If you ask for just one mistake that can ruin your recruitment experience, it is using the wrong job posting sites to advertise your job. In such a tech-oriented world, finding talent is not a challenge. The right job board will not only let you post online jobs but will also integrate advanced algorithms to suggest the perfect candidate for your open position.
Sophisticated job posting sites, such as Talentprise.com, don't make you wait for your candidates, instead, they leverage their powerful AI capabilities and get the right talent to your doorstep. Talentprise analyzes your job description and candidates’ profile to match only the right candidates that are best fit for your open position, simplifying your recruitment process.
Not Marketing your Job Post
When you post online jobs, they become your marketing pitch to attract potential candidates, therefore, you need to formulate a marketing strategy for your posts. From posting on job boards with significant visibility to advertising your job post on different social media platforms; marketing your job posts will boost your talent acquisition process.
Moreover, some job boards offer paid promotions of your job ads. For instance, Ladders’ job promotion plan will keep your job post on top of search results for 8-weeks. Therefore, make use of these plans to post online jobs for increasing the likelihood of getting far more clients.
Being Too Vague
If your job post lacks clarity, you should revise it as soon as possible. Vague job titles not only put off candidates, but you may also lose out on keyword searches. Therefore, you should add every important detail that your potential candidates would possibly seek.
For instance, remuneration package, location, work type (onsite/remote/hybrid), specific requirements regarding skills or experience, benefits, or any opportunity that may arise from this specific employment.
Using Negative phrases
Some recruiters become exclusive while writing the job description to post online jobs, rather than being inclusive. This gives job seekers a reason to not apply. Phrases like “Need not apply”, “If you lack”, and “Must have 3 years of experience” reflect negative connotations and are strictly discouraged.
Though some criteria need to be met for a specific role, you should pull the strings to find positive ways to deliver your message. To post online jobs, you can use these phrases instead, "the position requires three years of experience” or "Apply if this sounds like you".
Final Words
Your job post is a make-or-break point for getting the right talent for your company. If you don't make these mistakes when you decide to post online jobs, you'll probably discover a lot more applicants. Choosing the right job board and creating a powerful job post is imperative to get successful in finding high-quality talent.
Online Threat Alerts Security Tips
Pay the safest way
Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.
Guard your personal information
In any transaction you conduct, make sure to check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the seller, charity, company, or organization is credible. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.
Be careful of the information you share
Never give out your codes, passwords or personal information, unless you are sure of who you're dealing with
Know who you’re dealing with
Crooks pretending to be from companies you do business with may call or send an email, claiming they need to verify your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something and know who you are sending payment to. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.
Check your accounts
Regularly check your account transactions and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions.
Don’t believe promises of easy money
If someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam. Oftentimes, offers that seem too good to be true, actually are too good to be true.
Do not open email from people you don’t know
If you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.
Think before you click
If an email or text message looks suspicious, don’t open any attachments or click on the links.
Verify urgent requests or unsolicited emails, messages or phone calls before you respond
If you receive a message or a phone call asking for immediate action and don't know the sender, it could be a phishing message.
Be careful with links and new website addresses
Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.
Secure your personal information
Before providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.
Stay informed on the latest cyber threats
Keep yourself up to date on current scams by visiting this website daily.
Use Strong Passwords
Strong passwords are critical to online security.
Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs
Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.
Update the operating systems on your electronic devices
Make sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.
What if You Got Scammed?
Stop Contact With The Scammer
Hang up the phone. Do not reply to emails, messages, or letters that the scammer sends. Do not make any more payments to the scammer. Beware of additional scammers who may contact you claiming they can help you get your lost money back.
Secure Your Finances
- Report potentially compromised bank account, credit or debit card information to your financial institution(s) immediately. They may be able to cancel or reverse fraudulent transactions.
- Notify the three major credit bureaus. They can add a fraud alert to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft. You may also want to consider placing a free security freeze on your credit report. Doing so prevents lenders and others from accessing your credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit:
- Equifax
- Experian
- TransUnion
Check Your Computer
If your computer was accessed or otherwise affected by a scam, check to make sure that your anti-virus is up-to-date and running and that your system is free of malware and keylogging software. You may also need to seek the help of a computer repair company. Consider utilizing the Better Business Bureau’s website to find a reputable company.
Change Your Account Passwords
Update your bank, credit card, social media, and email account passwords to try to limit further unauthorized access. Make sure to choose strong passwords when changing account passwords.
Report The Scam
Reporting helps protect others. While agencies can’t always track down perpetrators of crimes against scammers, they can utilize the information gathered to record patterns of abuse which may lead to action being taken against a company or industry.
Report your issue to the following agencies based on the nature of the scam:
- Local Law Enforcement: Consumers are encouraged to report scams to their local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if you lost money or property or had your identity compromised.
- Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the Online Complaint Assistant to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.
- Identitytheft.gov: If someone is using your personal information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund, report it at www.identitytheft.gov. This federal government site will also help you create your Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on your situation. Questions can be directed to 877-ID THEFT.
How To Recognize a Phishing Scam
Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.
Scammers often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends, but here are some common tactics used in phishing emails or text messages:
Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Or maybe it’s from an online payment website or app. The message could be from a scammer, who might
- say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t
- claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t
- say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t
- include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake
- want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware
- say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam
- offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real
About Online Threat Alerts (OTA)
Online Threat Alerts or OTA is an anti-cybercrime community that started in 2012. OTA alerts the public to cyber crimes and other web threats.
By alerting the public, we have prevented a lot of online users from getting scammed or becoming victims of cybercrimes.
With the ever-increasing number of people going online, it important to have a community like OTA that continuously alerts or protects those same people from cyber-criminals, scammers and hackers, who are every day finding new ways of carrying out their malicious activities.
Online users can help by reporting suspicious or malicious messages or websites to OTA. And, if they want to determine if a message or website is a threat or scam, they can use OTA's search engine to search for the website or parts of the message for information.
Help maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA).