The job-hunting process can be quite a deflating ordeal for the job seeker.
Zippia reports it takes between 100 to 200 job applications on average before successfully landing a job. 😧
So, as a recruiter, you’re dealing with people who are becoming familiar with rejection. 😬
Interestingly, does this gloomy landscape overflowing with formal and professional language present an opportunity for recruiters to be a little more light-hearted?
Do we have to be serious all the time or is there room to show a little more personality?
Let’s explore.
How serious should you keep your recruitment ads? 🤔
If you’re wondering whether you can have more fun with your job ad, the first thing to consider is what aspects of a job ad you must keep clear.
Job Title ❌
The job title must stay relevant and searchable.
You’d be surprised how often employers try and make the job title sound more interesting.
Although it would be a nice way to show off your quirky brand identity with a trendy, creative job title, it’s not a good idea.
Why?
Because how many job seekers will be searching for your unique job title?
None.
Ultimately, you need to increase your job ad visibility.
Think SEO.
Otherwise, you will potentially miss out on perfect job candidates.
Give yourself the best chance of attracting the top talent, and keep this section generic.
Location, Benefits and Salary ❌
Same again, you don’t want to joke about these three areas for obvious reasons.
To most jobseekers, they are the most important details.
If you mess them around with this first impression, then don’t expect a single application.
Glassdoor found the top three priorities for seekers are:
- Salary 67%
- Benefits 63%
- Location 59%
Keep it short and simple with no room for misinterpretations.
Show them you care by being clear and serious about what they will receive and where they will work.
Funny elements to Job adverts
The Hook ✔️
Finally!
Some room to show a bit of personality.
‘The hook’ offers the chance to engage with your reader and persuade them to apply.
This is your opportunity to inject some life into your job advertisement.
So, capture their attention and motivate their engagement with some light-hearted language.
Responsibilities and Duties ✔️
You may be surprised, but this also presents a chance to have a bit of fun with your job seeker.
Remember, you must stick to the facts and avoid fabricating responsibilities.
However, you can have fun with the language.
For example, that quirky job title you were dying to use, just apply it here instead.
Company Details ✔️
When describing your company, you get to have some fun.
In most cases, it’s actually better to.
For example, if you’re a fresh, young and exciting company with a diverse culture, then being too formal would display a false identity.
Be natural and let it flow.
After all, you want to give your candidates the most sincere and genuine impression of who you are.
If anything, that’s more professional.
When talking on behalf of your company, just be honest, have fun and speak from the heart.
Call to Action ✔️
Finally, the call to action must be exciting!
This is your last chance to make your ideal candidate apply, so be bold, creative, and stand out from the crowd.
Make your candidate feel great about clicking that ‘apply’ button.
Funny Job Ads Work When Balanced 😂/😐
Job ads can be fun when you strike the right balance.
The main thing is to stick to the facts and be playful with the language.
Don’t change the important details, just add some humour to the content.
The language needs to remain inclusive and diverse, so you don’t risk insulting anyone.
If you’re not 100% sure about a joke, cut it out.
It’s just not worth it.
A company that specialises in creating the ideal job ads (even the funny ones) is AdBuilder.
The AdBuilder platform enables you to get the right balance between serious and fun, ensuring you receive applications from the best talent on the market.
AdBuilder also has an extension called AdGrader.
This clever piece of software automatically identifies any non-inclusive language.
Sometimes being funny puts you at risk of being offensive.
AdGrader makes sure this issue never arises.
To discover how you can post funny job ads that are even more effective, give AdGrader or AdBuilder a try today.
