In the fast-paced world of recruitment, timing is crucial. Knowing when and how long to post job advertisements for can significantly impact your ability to attract the right candidates – but figuring out the ideal approach can be challenging. In this post, we’ll guide you through practical strategies that can optimise your job postings and increase your chances of finding the perfect hire. Let’s dive in.
When to Post Your Advert
Timing your job advert perfectly can affect its visibility and the number of applications you receive. Data from several recruitment platforms, such as LinkedIn, indicates that job seekers are most active at the beginning of the week, with Monday and Tuesday mornings seeing the biggest flurry of activity. Make sure you capitalise on this surge by ensuring your ads go live on or just before these peak days – and if you’re only running an advert for a short duration, be sure to include as many Mondays and Tuesdays as you can!
It’s important to remember, however, that different job boards have unique algorithms that determine how job listings are displayed. While some sites list opportunities by date (meaning the most recent is the most visible), others, such as Totaljobs, prioritise candidate relevance, meaning that those jobs that match a candidate’s search (location, salary, and sector) appear higher in the results. Your live date will thus become more or less important depending on the platforms you’re using – and the quality of the advert will be paramount regardless of when you post it.
How Long Should Your Job Advert Be Live?
Determining the optimal duration for your job advert requires balancing urgency with visibility. Let’s look at the pros and cons of shorter vs longer ad durations.
Shorter Ads (1–2 Weeks)
If you need to fill a vacancy quickly, you might wish to place an advert for a short burst of time. The good news is that shorter durations can help build urgency: candidates often prefer to apply for newer roles, as long-standing adverts may give the impression that the position has already been filled or that they’ve missed their chance to apply.
However, shorter listings come with disadvantages, too. Firstly, if you’re posting ad-hoc for a short amount of time, you’re less likely to get full return on value, especially as prices are often fixed for at least a four-week period. Secondly, shorter advert lengths may unfairly disadvantage candidates who have extra responsibilities, such as care or childcare duties. In some sectors, such as education and not-for-profit, the application process can be demanding. Consider the applicant’s journey: how long does it take to get from seeing the job advert to applying? Would a longer duration be beneficial for both parties? If the answer is yes, consider extending your closing date.
Longer Ads (3–6 Weeks)
Many traditional or more generic job boards offer listings for up to six weeks in duration. These adverts can result in more organic growth, with a steady stream of traffic leading to higher overall visibility and a greater number of clicks and applications. A longer duration can also accommodate more complex application processes and diverse candidate needs.
While there is a risk of your advert appearing stale or less desirable if it has been up for a long period of time, this can be mitigated by managing the advert well with a refresh or update. Many job boards offer midway refreshes, which can help push your advert back to the top of listings, making it appear new and more attractive to candidates. Additionally, listening to feedback from those who have already applied can help refine your approach.
What’s the Verdict?
To maximise your advert’s chance of success, it’s critical to consider the following.
- Application Process: Keep the candidate’s journey at the forefront of your mind and assess the complexity of applying for a job with you. If the process is more time-consuming (for example, if it involves in-depth writing tasks or a lengthy application form), consider longer posting durations to ensure all candidates have ample time to apply.
- Job Board Mechanics: Understand how your chosen job board ranks listings. Does it prioritise new postings, candidate relevance, or adverts with a higher budget behind them? Tailor your strategy accordingly.
- Strategic Start Dates: If you can, aim for Mondays or Tuesdays as start dates, ensuring your ad runs over multiple weeks during these high-traffic days to capture the most attention.
Conclusion
An effective job posting strategy goes beyond crafting the perfect job description. By mastering the timing and duration of your postings, you can streamline your recruitment process and attract top talent more effectively.
If you need further guidance or want to refine your posting strategy, we’re here to assist. Simply contact us today.
