How to Write a Help Wanted Ad

by Bryan Ziegler, Indian Hills Iowa SBDC, Ottumwa, IA Good employees are hard to find these days. It's not that they don't exist—far from it. But with unemployment rates at their lowest in years, every business is competing for the same employees. So what can you do to make your "Help Wanted" ad stand out from the sea of classified ads in the paper each week and find that gem of an employee? Here are a few ideas: Consider the medium. Maybe advertising in the newspaper isn't right for the job you're wanting to fill. For example, if you're looking for a highly-qualified individual for a job in a specific industry, maybe trade journals would be a better advertising option for you. Other options include television, radio, and (especially if you're looking to fill a high-tech position) the Internet. Just remember to consider all your advertising options and weigh which ones will give you the most bang for your advertising buck. Grab their attention. When writing your ad try to grab the attention of your readers—that is, if, for example, your business features a very relaxed work environment, you might want to feature that. Or if you can offer your employees benefits that other companies can't, you should draw attention to those benefits up front. Include all the right information. Be sure to include all the pertinent information, such as the job title, a brief description of duties, the minimum education, experience and skill levels that are acceptable, and whether there are any special criteria (such as extensive travel) that would immediately weed out applicants. Also be very specific about the type of equipment, software programs, etc. that applicants should know how to use or operate. Make it look good. Use proper grammar and punctuation—not only so that your ad will be easy to read and understand, but also so that your business looks like a professional organization. You want to make a good impression on potential employees. accommodation in MontecatiniOnce you've placed your ad, sit back and wait for the applications to pour in. Just remember that people scouring the want ads every week want to find the right job just as much as you want to find the right employee. hotel a AteneFor additional information on how businesses can find good employees, contact a consultant at a Small Business Development Center. > See also: Human Resources & Personnel
Bryan Ziegler is Director of the Indian Hills SBDC in Ottumwa, IA. Visit the Iowa Business Network at www.iabusnet.org. For further assistance, contact a consultant at a Small Business DevelopmentCenter.

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