3 Tips For Those Hard-To-Fill Job Openings

By Wes Leatherman

Tip #1: Be More Than Just A Job Description

Most companies stick with the same old job description regardless of whether or not this description is generating quality applications from job candidates - or any applications at all. Hop on Indeed and other job search sites to check out what your competition is doing. Find common positions and see if the description has something of value you can use in your posting. If it sounds appealing to you, chances are it will be appealing to candidates.

Here are some additional resources to spice up your job postings:

How to Make a Job Ad That Attracts Candidates (with Examples)

12 Ways To Make Your Job Posting Really Stand Out

How To Write A Great Job Posting

Tip #2: Understand What Job Seekers Are Looking For

Company Culture

Work is a large part of our lives, which is why candidates will consider workplace culture as an important factor in determining whether or not they want to join your company.

What role their position will play within the organization

People like to have a sense of purpose and a sense of worth. Knowing how a particular role contributes to the bigger picture helps candidates get a sense of how they fit into that bigger picture.

Benefits

Bottom line…Is your benefits package attractive? Good benefits can be the deciding factor for many candidates.

Read more about what is important to job seekers

Tip #3: Make Sure Your Wages Are Competitive - And Then Make Them Visible

Oftentimes, you will see a company state that they offer “competitive wages.” That does not tell job seekers very much, and it is not very appealing either. Job seekers want to know that the wages are within their desired pay range. Also, being transparent about what your wages are saves everyone’s time. It’s a total let down when you find the perfect candidate and then find out during the interview process that your wages do not align with their individual expectations. Put yourself in the position of a job seeker and see what other companies are paying for similar positions.

Here are some resources you can use to make sure that your wages are competitive:

Frederick County Workforce Services – Offers local Labor Market Information at no cost.

Salary.com – Provides a breakdown for positions.

Glassdoor – Provides first-hand reviews on companies, wages, benefits, and interviews.

If you are still struggling to fill open positions, start thinking like a job seeker. Hit the job market and search for similar positions to see what you are up against. Do not be afraid to update your job description. Make sure job seekers can get a feel for what your organization is about, where they fit in, and whether or not the compensation will make it worth their while.