Help and inspiration

Should I include a salary range on my job ads?

In short yes. By not including this information, you could be eliminating potential candidates. Jobseekers will often seek a new position for a higher paid salary, so your job advert needs to be attractive in order for them to consider applying. By posting a salary range, you will also be safe in the knowledge that each applicant’s salary expectations have already been met.

It would be a waste of time for both the jobseeker and recruiter to proceed through several rounds of interviewing, only for them to drop out at the 11th hour if the pay grade is deemed too low.

Should I notify a candidate if they have been unsuccessful?

While a rejection letter isn’t required, it is an important part of treating an applicant with respect. By letting candidates know where they stand, it will help maintain your reputation as an employer.

You can easily send a rejection notification to your applicants at the click of a button in your Jobs Area. Simply click into the list of applicants next to your chosen job, and next to the applicant you wish to reject, access the dropdown menu under the Status column on the right and select the Rejected option. This will automatically trigger an email to be sent to the candidate notifying them of their rejection.

If you want to send a custom rejection letter, you will need to do so independently.

How long should my job advert be?

This isn’t an exact science but studies have found that job adverts with 150 words or less receive more applications. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t include relevant information – just be as concise as possible, ensure the jobseeker understands the role and expectations, and focus on capturing imagination with the words you do use.

Jobseekers spend less than 1 minute reviewing a job post on average, so it’s crucial that you get to the point quickly.

It’s also worth remembering that many jobseekers will view job adverts on their mobile devices, so bear this in mind. It’s a good idea to break down larger chunks of text using bullet pointed lists where possible.

When is the best time to post a job?

The best time to post a job is when more jobseekers are active on our site, so they appear at the top of a jobseekers search. We find that on Aviation Job Search, more jobseekers are active earlier in the week, particularly on a Monday.

What tone of voice should I use when writing my job advert?

Use a conversational tone of voice that excites and describes what it’s really like to work at your company.

For example, instead of writing, ‘We need a First Officer to join our team.’ Try something like, ‘We’re looking for an ambitious First Officer who is looking to expand their flying skills with the UK’s leading airline”

Avoid buzzwords or ‘corporate speak’ as these will put off candidates from applying.

How do I write an effective job title?

A job title should use standard industry language so it can easily be searched for. Avoid long, fancy or overly creative job titles, abbreviations and acronyms, as these won’t generate you any more views or applications.

Examples of good job title descriptions

B787 First Officer
B1 Licensed Engineer

Examples of bad job title descriptions

B787 1st Officer
First Officers for SAAB 340 – Long Term Paid Employment (Self Sponsored Training)

Avoid job titles which imply gender, age or race to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

How do I write a job advert with diversity and inclusion?

To write a job description featuring diversity and inclusion:

Never mention race or national origin
Avoid phrases such as ‘clean shaven’ – this would indicate it is for men only, and would exclude jobseekers whose faith requires them to maintain facial hair
Request jobseekers exclude their name on the application to show you are proactively trying to eliminate racial bias
Avoid job titles such as ‘Waitress’ or ‘Workmen’ which implies gender
Avoid using phrases such as ‘young and energetic’ which implies age
Where possible, let jobseekers know you welcome applications from jobseekers of all abilities, to include those with disabilities
Include information about flexible working practices to include working parents who may fear they will be judged for asking

Can I reply to a shortlisted candidate before the closing date?

Yes. Top talent will be snapped up quickly so if you are interested in taking their application further, you can schedule an interview while continuing collecting applications from other jobseekers.

Too many recruiters miss out on great candidates because they took too long to reply. Showing your interest before the closing date will make a jobseeker feel important and indicate that you are enthusiastic to speak to them further.

What is the most effective way to write a job advert?

The most successful job descriptions feature:

A job title using standard industry language, so it can easily be searched for
A competitive salary range to entice jobseekers who are looking for a pay increase
Information laid out in a neat and engaging way, so jobseekers can easily digest it
Clear information, describing exactly what they are looking for. Vague descriptions will only attract substandard applicants
Something that makes it stand out from other job adverts. This could be perks, flexible working hours, overtime or an exciting company culture
Details on the company culture so jobseekers can envisage if they would be a good fit for your business

Why do I need to include information on company culture?

Jobseekers aren’t just looking for a job these days, they’re looking for a career that aligns with who they are as a person. By including a short section about the company culture, and the types of people that already work there, jobseekers can envisage if they would be a good fit for your business.

For example, if your airline was more formal, you could write, “When you join us, you’ll be living up to the highest standards of professionalism and safety standards. Only jobseekers with superior flying skills and a great attitude will make the grade.”

If your airline was less formal, you could write, “We love innovative, talented and fast-acting people who hate waffle and love getting stuck into hard work.”

It doesn’t need to be too long as jobseekers can search for further information on your careers page – just make sure the information matches!