How to write a job ad people finish reading
Most job ads lose good applicants in the first two lines. Lead with the job, the place and the pay, cut the wish list, and make applying quick.
Arku team
People read job ads on their phone, between other things. They decide in a few seconds whether to keep going. Most ads spend those seconds talking about the company.
| Topic | What most ads say | What works better |
|---|---|---|
| First line | "We are a dynamic, fast-growing team looking for a rockstar..." | "Apprentice electrician, Hamilton, $26 to $30 an hour." |
| Pay | "Competitive salary." | A real range. |
| Requirements | Twelve must-haves, half of them nice-to-haves. | The three to five things that matter on day one. |
| How to apply | "Send your CV and a cover letter." | "Takes five minutes on your phone. A CV is optional." |
Lead with the job, the place and the pay
Those three things decide whether someone reads on. Put them in the first line. Everything about your values and history can come later, for the people who are already interested.
If you can't publish the pay, say what you can: the hourly rate band, the award or agreement it follows, or that pay is discussed at the first call.
Cut the wish list
Every requirement you add makes someone decide they aren't qualified. Separate what someone needs on day one from what they'll learn. Then delete most of the second list.
Say what the week looks like
"Varied duties" tells nobody anything. "Mornings on site, afternoons in the van, every second Saturday" tells people whether the job fits their life.
Make applying short
Ask only what you'll actually use to decide. If a CV won't change your shortlist, make it optional. For many trades and volunteer roles, a few good questions beat a CV.
Want a starting point? Our free job ad templates follow this structure for common roles in trades, retail, charities and churches.