Hire Process Quick Notes
Writing an Effective Job Advertisement
Good job advertisements must first attract attention (from appropriate job seekers); attract relevant interest (by establishing
relevance in the minds of the ideal candidates); create desire (to pursue what looks like a great opportunity), and finally provide
a clear instruction for the next action or response.
Alan Chapman 2001-2009; www.businessballs.com
All job advertisements at UA should contain the following:
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Job title
Description of job
Required and preferred qualifications as specified on the Search Plan
Outline of ideal candidate profile (expressed in second-person)
Appointment details: (9month, 12month, part-time, full-time, regular, temporary)
Reporting structure
Faculty positions should include tenure information (tenured, tenure eligible, not eligible)
List of materials needed from applicants
Where to send applications and other materials
Deadline for receiving applications
Statement reflecting how department is committed to diversity
Boilerplate information for online advertisements provided by Human Resources
• Description about UA, its culture, benefits offered, type of work environment, location
• The University of Akron is an equal education and employment institution.
Tips to Consider:
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Design the advertisement so that it is easy to read.
Use bullet points and short bite-sized paragraphs when possible.
Use language that your reader uses.
Avoid words that could be discriminatory.
Incorporate things that are new, innovative, exciting, challenging about the job.
Highlight major points of pride about the department.
Identify level of position (junior, intermediate, senior?)
Reflect inclusiveness by including dialogue that promotes diversity within the department.
For advertisements seeking international candidates, contact HR’s Office of Employee
Immigration Services at x6583.
Can’t afford to purchase space for a lengthy advertisement?
Write an ad that functions as a signpost to direct the applicant to a UA website URL that
contains more lengthy documents and websites of interest.
The University of Akron
Talent Development & Human Resources
Last Updated: 5/01/14
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