One of the great discouragements when running a business is the hiring process. Sometimes it feels like no matter how many ads you post you never get a good response. It feels as though no one is looking for work, but the truth is that just because no one is engaging with your job postings doesn’t mean no one is looking for work. Sometimes a change of perspective is the best way to get ourselves out of this misbelief that there is no one available to fill our roles. Shift your perspective and consider that perhaps you just haven’t done the right steps to interest someone in applying to your business.

Remember, we live in a society where everyone is scrolling all the time. What we need to be able to do is coax them into clicking on our ad and sending us their application.

One thing to consider when re-evaluating what advertising copy, you have put into the market is whether it is clear and enticing that keeps people from scrolling onto the next ad and instead motivates them to apply for your business. By creating good copy, you will not only increase the number of applicants you receive but also the quality of applicants.

It’s also important to remember that it’s not your job to encourage people who aren’t in the workforce to start working, it’s about incentivising great talent who are already in the industry to want to move to your organisation. According to Gallup, “Slightly more than half of employees say they are actively looking for a new job or watching for openings.” Your job advertisement needs to “sell an opportunity” to candidates and help them to see that during their time in your business, they will grow and thrive.

So, what do you have to offer a potential candidate who is looking for somewhere new to bring their talent?

• Does your ad highlight your positive work culture?
• Does your ad specify what sort of professional development you offer?
• Does your ad highlight your unique selling proposition (USP)?
• Does your ad highlight your competitive remuneration package?

Reflect on your self-talk, if you’re telling yourself that no one is looking then that’s a problem. If you’re telling yourself no one is interested, then you are not positioning your business as being interesting enough. 

Re-evaluate what job advertisements you currently have and use the above bullet points as a starting guide to create ads that people will apply for.