Hiring the right candidate for a job opening is often a lengthy, frustrating process. In some cases, you may not find any qualified candidates despite weeks of searching. In other cases, you may extend multiple offers to candidates that ultimately are turned down. You may even hire a few professionals and quickly let them go because they are not right for the position after all. Having a qualified, hardworking candidate fill an opening is critical for the overall operation and success of the business. Reviewing a greater number of resumes from qualified applicants is a necessary step to take, and you may be able to increase the number of resumes you receive for your job openings by taking a few important steps.

Write an Effective, Appealing Ad

If you are not generating the high level of interest you desire in your current ad, there is a good chance that the ad is simply not appealing to qualified candidates. Compensation and benefits are motivating factors that can create interest in your ad, but this is only true if your compensation and benefits are average or above average. In addition, keep in mind that the ad should entice a candidate to apply. It ideally should not be an in-house description of job duties and responsibilities. Instead, it should sell the applicant on the company by taking about advancement opportunities, the great company culture, how secure and established the company is and more. You may also attract more applicants by offering a relocation package for those interested in the position and who live far away. Because the ad will be placed online, consider your word choice carefully. Keywords may be picked up by job boards’ internal search features.

Choose the Ideal Placement for Your Ad

Where you place your ad is also critical. You simply will not get a good response if your ad is not visible online and properly placed with a specific website. Choose to list your ad on the most popular online job boards. Select the right category for the job listing, or consider placing it under multiple relevant categories for more exposure. Think about using nationally known job boards as well as those that are more localized to your specific city or region.

Consider Sponsored Ads

Some job boards allow you to pay for top placement in a job search result. Sponsored ads do cost more money, but they often are effective. This is particularly true with major job boards that have heavy traffic. Before you pay for a sponsored ad, take a look at some of the other sponsored ads on the site. Consider how many sponsored ads there are under each category. In addition, ask the provider how long your sponsored position will be honored.

Ask Employees for Referrals

Another great idea is to open the position up to your own employees and to ask them if they know anyone who would be a good fit for the position. Employee recognition ideas may involve identifying employees who have the right skill set and experience for the position and asking them about their interest. You can also offer a bonus for employee referrals to generate more internal interest in the position.

There are few things more important to the success of a company than its workforce. However, it can be a struggle to find the right candidate to hire. Generating more interest in your job listing is an important first step to take because it can increase the number of resumes you have available to review. You also want to improve your process of screening resumes and interviewing candidates so that you make the best possible decision about who to hire.