Capture more candidates by stating salary in your job advertisements

In a tight candidate market, and more people now searching for jobs via the internet rather than using a newspaper, employers need to find ways to maximise the impact of their job advertisements.

In September 2006 Sportspeople took a quick look at the benefit of stating the salary in the job advertisement. Our survey found there was a tangible benefit where salary was stated demonstrated by views of the job and total applications received.

Some five months later we decided to take another look at the statistics, particularly if there was any change to the views trend where salary is stated in the job advertisement.

At the client request Sportspeople Recruitment often advertise roles without a specific salary range. In these cases we typically use words such as ìAttractive packageî or ìsenior executive package, designed to attract high quality candidatesî.

Positions where Sportspeople Recruitment states the salary continue to receive a significantly higher number of applications. Additionally, where salary was stated candidates were deemed more appropriate to the level of the role, effectively reducing the flow-on screening requirements and recruitment turnaround.

By analysing the Sportspeople Jobs Market advertisements in January 2007 we found 45% (44% Sept ë06) of all jobs specified the salary range or specific salary level. Importantly the number of views for advertisements where salary was stated was 40% more (26% Sept ë06) than those advertisements where salary was not stated.

To again test whether the remuneration level has an impact on the number of views we then broke down these advertisements into two broad groups: jobs with a salary of $50,000 and over and jobs with a salary below $50,000. Sportspeople provided an estimate of likely remuneration where the salary was not stated.

For those jobs with a salary of $50,000 or above, the number of views was 58% more (30% Sept ë06) when salary was stated. For those jobs with a salary below $50,000, the number of views was 31% more (12% Sept í06) when salary was stated.

According to Sportspeopleís Business Development Manager, Angelique Lele the survey again reinforces benefit of stating salary when advertising a role, and the significant benefit when recruiting senior positions.

ìWhen recruiting at any level the aim is to attract qualified, experienced and highly skilled candidates. As remuneration is one of a number of key elements for most job seekers it continues to make good sense to provide an indicative range when advertising the role.î

ìThe information collected from the Sportspeople Jobs Market is consistent with the advice we have been providing for the past decade. Candidates self-screen and therefore are more likely to view advertisements and express an interest in jobs where the salary is stated. This trend has increased substantially between the period September 2007 and January 2007. For almost any role, but in particular those roles above $50,000, stating the salary continues to assist the recruitment effort.î she concluded.