Creating a Model Job Ad

If you’re an organization looking to hire a student as part of a work-integrated learning program, writing a clear and compelling job posting can help you attract the right candidates. Plus, it helps the academic institution and the student decide if the role is the right fit for their educational needs.

Here’s how to create a job ad that will attract the best students to your organization: 

Think like the student. You know why your organization is amazing; but with a job posting, you get the opportunity to sell your organization as an ideal place to work. If you already have a student who is transitioning out of their placement, ask them for their insight into what would make the role appealing to a new hire. 

Give the ad a catchy title. This is your first impression so using a catchy title will get students excited and want to apply for your placement. 

Have a clear, attractive job title. Yes, even for students. That way the student has an idea of what they’ll be doing and they can use that title in their resume when they apply for other jobs in the future. 

Explain why the position is important and how it works within your organization. Students are eager to work and make an impact. List the responsibilities attached to the role in short, easy-to-understand sentences. Explain how they will support the organization’s overarching mandate. That way the student will see how their work contributes to the company’s goals. 

Separate the essential from the non-essential skills. Keeping them separate will help the student determine if the placement is right for their skillset. Essential skills should include the core program requirements. Non-essential skills can be all the nice-to-haves that aren’t really necessary to do the job. List those after the essential skills. 

Keep it skimmable. A block of text can be very intimidating so only put the most essential information for you and the student on the job ad. Break up the text with short paragraphs or bullet points. 

Drop the jargon. Acronyms and jargon can be a roadblock for students reading job ads. They may not understand what the acronyms or jargon mean, may feel they aren’t qualified and might be discouraged from applying for the position. Another thing to drop are descriptions like ‘ninja’ or ‘genius’ from the descriptions. They’re overused and have no meaning. 

Mention the benefits. This should be a mutually beneficial arrangement so write down the salary (if it’s a paid WIL placement), and any benefits such as networking or meeting professionals in their future fields. Help them make the connections that could help them advance in their careers. 

Talk about your company’s culture (including any fun perks). That way, students get a holistic view of how they will fit into your organization. 

Add your contact information. This is the last point but the most important. Outline how students can submit their applications, whether online or via email, and include the name of a contact person. 

Template for a job ad:

• Choose a catchy title but avoid terms like ‘guru’ or ‘ninja’
• Provide a clear job description. Don’t use jargon 
• Add essential skills 
• Add non-essential but nice-to-have skills
• Highlight the benefits of the role to the student: how their work will benefit the student, opportunities for networking. 
• Play up the company culture
• Add contact information