5 signs your job ad isn't bringing in applications

When a position stays vacant for weeks, the cause is rarely a lack of interest from skilled workers, it's often the job ad itself. These five signs suggest your ad is turning candidates away rather than attracting them.

1. The role description is too generic

Phrases like 'varied tasks' or 'diverse responsibilities' sound friendly but say nothing concrete. Skilled workers want to know exactly what their day-to-day will look like before putting in the effort to apply.

2. The application process has too many hurdles

A multi-page application form, a mandatory account, or a request for a full cover letter cost you candidates at the exact moment their interest is highest.

3. The job's benefits aren't visible

Pay, working hours, training opportunities or team size are often left out entirely. Without knowing what the role offers, there's no reason to choose it over another.

4. The ad doesn't speak to anyone in particular

Generic ads without a recognisable business, a photo, or a named contact feel interchangeable. Skilled workers would rather apply to a business they can picture than to an anonymous listing.

5. The ad isn't actively distributed anywhere

An ad that only sits on your own website or a single job board only reaches people actively searching for it. Without active distribution, it stays invisible to most skilled workers.