How to optimize your job postings. 

It was discovered that the average aviation job seeker looks at a job posting for 3 seconds.  So you better MAKE that posting count.  The goal is to draw the right job seeker in and hold their attention long enough to get the feel for your company, be attracted to the job, determine they have the skills and qualifications, and then APPLY.

How do you do that?

First, your job posting has to be found.  Utilizing the same keywords in the title of the posting as the job seekers are using to find a job when they do their search is the essence of getting your job posting ranked in the first 2 pages of search results.  Avjobs.com, the largest aviation jobs company, and the number one site aviation job seekers are using online, says that if your job doesn’t show up on the first 3-4 1/2 pages of results, it probably won’t get seen.

Pick job titles that are the common denominator name for that position in the industry.  If your organization is looking for a Northwest Territory Business Development Manager, call it a Sales Manager, or Territory Sales.  If you need a Licensed A&P Mechanic then A&P Mechanic should be in the job title.  Then add a specialty to help narrow down your audience, but keep it simple (i.e. add A&P Mechanic – Challenger). The key is to THINK LIKE THE JOB SEEKER.

Now that you’ve been found, you need to grab and hold their attention.  75% of job seekers read job postings based on their appearance. Keep the format clean, easy to follow, and use bullets.  Long paragraphs and redundant descriptions are overwhelming on the eye and will cause the job seeker to move on.

Introduce the job seeker to your corporate culture; provide high points about why it’s great to work for your organization.  Clearly they are job hunting and it’s usually because they are unhappy.  Hit their pain points and give reasons why they would enjoy working at your organization.

The following is an example of the Attention Grabber for a job description.

Position Highlights:

• Recognized leader – Rated #1 in their industry.
• Advancement: Potential for a key leadership opportunity in the future.
• Drive: Progressive “issue-free” employee relations programs.
• Growth: Recently finished a mega expansion (1 Million+ Sq. Ft) with cutting edge production equipment.
• Stability: Located in Virginia Beach since the early 70’s, this organization has NEVER had a layoff!  CHECK IT OUT – VIRGINIA BEACH AREA (with link to community page).

Next, provide concise, specific responsibilities.  Avoid describing soft skills that:

1. Everyone thinks they have, even when they don’t.
2. You will only really be able to determine during the interview process.
3. Are too wordy to make sense.  Example, “have experience collaborating in a consolidated yet diverse team with multiple skill sets in a multinational environment with dynamic personalities”.

Same rule goes for listing the qualifications.  Use bullets to clearly spell out what you need in direct, specific descriptions.

Qualifications:

• Graduate of an Accredited Maintenance School. Both A + P Licenses preferred.
• Current License(s).
• FAA Certification Card.
• 3-5 years of experience in Airframe Control Bearings/Zinc Nickel Applications.
• Ability to work weekends and evenings.

Now that you have completed the content, the next step is to get it out.  In our next blog we’ll explain best practices on job posting placement and frequency.