With today’s job market becoming increasingly more competitive, the quality of a job description (and advert!) can be the difference between attracting top talent or being left with a pile of unqualified applications.   

But what is the difference between a job description and a job advert? 

A well written job description doesn’t just outline the day-to-day duties and company history. Instead, it sets the tone for your entire organisation and is filled with information on the good, bad and ugly of the business, day-to-day of the role and growth opportunities, skill requirements, company benefits, culture etc. 

A job advert should remain consistent and transparent in line with the job description but instead be much shorter with a hook to encourage candidates to apply. Following multiple conversations with LinkedIn, CV-Library, Reed and Indeed, we know there is evidence to suggest that a shorter, more concise and ‘to the point’ job advert will get more applications.  

Job adverts are about getting candidates to apply but it is so important to then follow up with a conversation and more detailed job description to ensure full transparency. 

Writing the perfect job description and advert takes time, resources, and a deep understanding of the job market, which is where a recruitment partner can step in and make all the difference.  

Industry Expertise  

Any good recruiter will understand the unique quirks within industries and scour the active market day in and day out.   

They can identify what makes your role and organisation appealing to candidates in the market (and those who may not be actively looking!). They stay informed about market trends, evolving job roles and titles, the expectations of professionals within each sector and the niche requirements you might need to consider when hiring at certain levels.  

Time Saving  

Every element of the recruitment process can be time-consuming, and this starts at the very beginning with the creation of a job description and advert, which in our experience must not be rushed.  

When trying to balance running a business with other duties such as hiring the very best talent, partnering with a recruitment agency can free up your time and resources and ensure the process is handled efficiently and professionally.   

Market Insights  

The biggest cost of recruitment is getting it wrong, and understanding the local market is essential for creating a competitive yet realistic job description and advert.   

Recruitment agencies can position a role effectively in the market, analyse salary benchmarks to ensure your role is attracting the correct level of talent and ensure the job titles are appealing to candidates and easily searchable online.  

Professional recruiters also know which skills are non-negotiable and which are nice to have, preventing any business from overloading the ‘requirements’ section and discouraging candidates who could potentially have everything you are looking for.  

Recruitment shouldn’t be about selling.  

No candidate should be ‘sold’ a job and similarly, no business should be ‘sold’ a candidate.   

By working with a recruitment partner, businesses can ensure that job postings resonate with top candidates while saving time and effort. A great job advert is the foundation of any successful hiring process and following up with a detailed job description is vital to ensure every element has been covered transparently.  

By focusing on clarity, engagement, and transparency, you’ll attract candidates who are not only qualified but also excited to join your business and wider team.  

The most important point to note is that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ when it comes to recruitment. If you need any help with crafting the very best job adverts and descriptions, please do get in touch as we are always on hand to help!

cara@thompsonandterry.co.uk 01235 797177