Crafting Effective Recruitment Adverts: The Do's and Don'ts

In today's competitive job market, attracting the right talent for your company can be challenging. One of the key elements in this process is creating a compelling recruitment advert that stands out and resonates with potential candidates. Your recruitment advert is your first point of contact with prospective employees, and it plays a crucial role in shaping their perception of your company. To help you make the most of your recruitment efforts, here are some essential do's and don'ts for creating a great recruitment advert.

The Do's:

  1. Know Your Audience: Before you start writing your advert, have a clear understanding of your target audience. Consider the skills, qualifications, and characteristics you are looking for in a candidate. Tailor your message to appeal to them specifically.

  2. Highlight Your Company's Unique Selling Points: Your advert should showcase what makes your company a great place to work. Highlight your culture, values, and any unique benefits or perks your company offers.

  3. Use Clear and Concise Language: Be direct and to the point. Candidates should be able to understand the job requirements and expectations without confusion. Avoid jargon or overly technical language that might alienate potential applicants.

  4. Focus on Benefits: Emphasise what the candidate will gain from the role, including opportunities for growth, skill development, and a positive work environment.

  5. Include Key Details: Clearly state the job title, location, key responsibilities, qualifications, and application deadline. Make it easy for candidates to find and understand the essential information.

  6. Use an Engaging Title: Craft a compelling job title that captures attention and gives candidates a glimpse of the role's importance within your organization.

  7. Showcase Diversity and Inclusion: If applicable, highlight your company's commitment to diversity and inclusion. Encourage a wide range of candidates to apply.


Our recent recruitment campaign for the Celtic Ross Hotel exemplifies what it takes to create a top-notch job advertisement. This advertisement aligns perfectly with our best practices, and when shared across social media and in print, it generated remarkable engagement and visibility.

Crafted to captivate a specific target audience, the ad effectively communicates the qualities we seek in potential team members. It stands out with its clear and concise messaging, coupled with an aesthetically pleasing design that exudes professionalism.

We helped design this advert with the Celtic Ross team if you require any help with recruitment advertising feel free to reach out to our team at advertising@southernstar.ie


The Don'ts:

  1. Avoid Discriminatory Language: Do not include any language that could be considered discriminatory, such as age, gender, or race. Focus on the qualifications and skills needed for the job.

  2. Don't Exaggerate: Be honest about the job and your company. Avoid making unrealistic promises or inflating the job's importance.

  3. Steer Clear of Vague Terms: Avoid using vague terms like "dynamic," "self-starter," or "team player" without providing concrete examples or context. These terms can be subjective and mean different things to different people.

  4. Skip Lengthy Job Descriptions: While you want to include the necessary details, avoid creating overly long job descriptions. Candidates may lose interest if the advert is too wordy.

  5. Don't Neglect the Application Process: If your application process is complicated and time-consuming, this can deter potential candidates. Streamline the application process to make it as user-friendly as possible.

  6. Avoid Clichés: Steer clear of clichés that appear in countless job adverts, as they can make your ad seem generic and uninspiring. Be original and specific to your company's needs and culture.

  7. Don't Forget to Proofread: Typos and grammatical errors can give a negative impression of your company's professionalism. Always proofread your advert before publishing it.

A well-crafted recruitment advert can significantly impact the quality and quantity of applicants you attract. By following these do's and don'ts, you'll increase your chances of finding the perfect candidate who aligns with your company's values and goals. Remember, your advert is a reflection of your company's brand and culture, so make it count. If you require any help with recruitment advertising feel free to reach out to our team at advertising@southernstar.ie from design to implementation we can help.