How to Write a Job Advert [Free Template]

Looking to find and hire top talent, but feeling a bit stuck about where to start with a job ad? This free job advert template has everything you need to effortlessly write a job advert that will attract the perfect candidates. 

Let’s dive in. 

What is a job advert?

You might be wondering “what is a job advert?” And it’s pretty simple. It’s a public listing created by an employer to attract candidates to apply for an open position. They are typically posted on job boards, company websites, social media or through platforms like Employment Hero’s SmartMatch. 

Besides a general position description, a good job advert template should include:

• Job title: The name of the position.
• Company name and brief description: Who the employer is and what they do.
• Job description: An overview of the role, responsibilities, and duties.
• Required qualifications and skills: What experience, education or abilities the candidate should have.
• Location: Where the job is based or whether it’s remote.
• Salary and benefits (optional): Pay range and perks like pension, holiday, healthcare, etc.
• Application instructions: How to apply and any deadlines.

While it can feel like a time investment, spending longer to create a well-crafted job advert template will help you attract better candidates and improve your chances of hiring top talent. 

What’s included in this free job advert template?

This job advert template is fully customisable to your business’s situation and includes helpful tips on what to write and how to write it.

This job advertisement template helps transform a good job ad into a great one, with tips for:

• Using the right text layout
• Using inclusive language
• Why employer branding matters

Here’s a sneak peek at job advert template must-haves:

• About your company
• About the role
• Salary details
• Responsibilities
• Benefits
• Company wins

Download our job advert template now.

How to write a job ad that attracts top talent

Are you, as a HR manager or business owner, wondering how to write a job ad that attracts top talent? Keep reading and we’ll tell you. 

1. Use a highly relevant job title

A job title is the first thing potential candidates will see, and it’s one of the ways you’ll attract people with the right qualifications and experience for your open role. So getting it right is important.

Our advice is to lead by explicitly stating what the position is, and avoid quirky titles. As much as it feels fun to get creative, they aren’t terms people search for, so we suggest you keep it simple and use industry standard titles instead. 

Also remember to be specific about the level and type of role (e.g. “Senior Marketing Executive” or “Customer Support Assistant – Part-Time”) and use keywords that jobseekers are likely to type into search engines or job boards. This can significantly increase the number of relevant applications you receive.

2. Provide a role summary

It might sound like common sense, but providing a clear summary of the position is essential. Here are a few things business owners and HR managers should always include when writing their job advert template: 

• Describe the basic purpose of the position and why it is needed within the business.
• List the various duties included in that role. Describe what those duties are, how they are performed and why they need to be done.
• Even if a title is similar to a role they have done before, this doesn’t mean the role will be exactly the same. Assume the candidate knows nothing about your job and explain it as clearly as possible.
• Provide business information about who they would be reporting to, what other positions report to the same supervisor and if anyone reports to them.

3. Sell your benefits

Employee benefits are something we happen to know a lot about at Employment Hero, and we know how important it is to showcase what you can offer new team members. It makes a difference, really. Perks go beyond salary, and can significantly enhance the overall employee experience. 

Benefits can be tailored to your business, but here’s a breakdown of common types of job benefits you as an employer can offer: 

• Private health insurance
• Life insurance
• Equity or share schemes
• Enhanced holiday
• Flexible working
• Employee Assistant Programmes (EAPs)
• Training and development budget
• Company events and social activities

If your business wants to attract top talent, make sure you’re shouting about what you can offer your new hire. 

4. Culture Fit

The purpose of a good job advert template is to attract the right candidates, and these are people that will align with your company culture. For business owners and HR professionals, ensuring potential employees are going to fit seamlessly into your business dynamic should be high on the priority list.Employees who fit your culture are also more likely to stay longer and improve morale and productivity.

Culture fit in the context of recruiting and job ads is all about attracting employees whose beliefs, values and behaviours are in alignment with those of your business.

Candidates want to know if you share their values as well. Company culture is increasingly important for potential candidates when assessing whether they would be a good fit for a company.

A video is a great way to introduce candidates to your company’s culture and brand. This video could include;

• Testimonials from current employees about why they enjoy working at your company
• Information on what kind of people thrive in your business environment
• Showcase how your business promotes a work/life balance

FAQs

What is the best format for a job advert?

The best format for a job advert is one that’s clear, concise, and easy to scan, while also being engaging and informative. Jobseekers often skim ads quickly, so using a structured layout helps ensure your key information gets across.

The structure we recommend is: 

1. Job title
2. Work location and hours
3. Salary and benefits
4. Information about the company
5. Role overview
6. Role responsibilities
7. Required skills and experience
8. Perks and benefits
9. How to apply

Are there legal requirements for job ads in the UK?

Yes, there are legal requirements for job ads in the UK that HR managers and business leaders need to ensure their job ads comply with. These include equality, employment and data protection laws. 

Here’s what business owners and HR professionals need to know:

• Use inclusive language: Avoid gender-coded or ableist language. Ensure your wording doesn’t unintentionally exclude certain groups.
• Right to Work in the UK: You can state that applicants must have the right to work in the UK, but you must not say “UK passport required” unless it’s legally justified.
• Accessibility: Ensure the application process is accessible to candidates with disabilities. Employers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments.
• Honest and accurate information: Job ads must not mislead candidates about the role, location, salary, benefits, or contract type.
• Data protection: If collecting personal data, comply with UK GDPR. Make sure candidates know how their information will be used and stored.
• Avoid Discrimination (Equality Act 2010): Job ads must not discriminate against protected characteristics such as:
  • Age
  • Gender
  • Race or ethnicity
  • Disability
  • Religion or belief
  • Sexual orientation
  • Pregnancy or maternity
  • Gender reassignment
  • Marital or civil partnership status

Should I include salary in the job ad?

While there is no legal requirement to include salary, it is recommended that employers do. Including salary boosts applications, builds trust, saves time and promotes pay transparency.

How often should I update my ad?

You should update your job ad regularly to keep it effective, relevant, and visible. Here are some quick tips:

• Refresh your job ad template every 1-2 weeks to keep it feeling fresh and up-to-date. Updating it also helps to keep it high on job boards. 
• If applications drop off, adjust the title, salary or benefits to improve engagement. 
• If role requirements change, update the responsibilities, qualifications and working arrangements to reflect it. 
• If you’re not attracting the right candidates, revise the wording, clarify expectations, or adjust the tone.
• After feedback from candidates or hiring managers, use insights to refine and improve the ad.

Can I reuse the same job advert template for multiple vacancies?

Yes, you can reuse the same job advert template for multiple vacancies, but with some tweaks to keep each ad fresh and relevant.

Here are some tips for effectively reusing a job ad template: 

• Update the job title and location if they differ.
• Tailor the role summary and responsibilities to reflect any specific team or project details.
• Adjust requirements based on the exact level or experience needed.
• Refresh benefits or perks if they vary by role or department.
• Change application deadlines and contact info as needed.

Make hiring easier with Employment Hero

Finding and hiring top talent isn’t an easy task for business leaders and HR professionals. So why not make it that bit easier with Employment Hero’s all-in-one hiring solution? Hire smarter with SmartMatch, manage open roles and interviews with just one click with our Applicant Tracking System and more. 

But Employment Hero’s Employment Operating System can do so much more than just supercharge your hiring. Our intelligent platform takes the traditional isolated aspects of employment and integrates them into a seamless, human and AI-powered solution that empowers employers, employees and job seekers alike.

Download the job advert template now.